BX  7631  .N394 

Naylor,   James,  16177-1660. 
A  collection  of  sundry 
books,  epistles  and  papers 


COLLBCTXON 


OF  SUNDRY 


WRITTEN  BY 

JAMES  NAYIiER: 

WITH 
OF  THE^ 

MOST  REIIARKABLE  TRANSACTIONS  RELATING  TO  HIS  LlFjS* 


Dan.  11.  35.    And  some  of  them  of  understanding  shall  fall  to  try  them,  and  to  purg^, 

and  to  make  them  white,  &c. 
Micha.  7.  8.  Rpjoice  not  against  me,  O  mine  enemy,  when  I  fall  I  shall  rise,  &c 
Psal.  130.  4.   With  the  Lord  is  forgiveness,  that  he  may  be  feared. 


PUBLISHED  BY  B.  C.  STANTON,  FROM  A  LONDON  EDITION  OF  17  10 


Whetstone  &  Buxton— Printers 


1829. 


\ 


AN 


£PZSTLi:  TO  THE  SERIOUS  READER. 

Containing  an  impartial  account  of  the  most  remarhahh 
transactions  relating  to 

JAMES  NAYL.ER* 


Since  the  Lord,  our  most  gracious  God  was  pleased, 
in  great  mercy  and  love  to  my  soul,  to  open  my  e^es  and 
make  known  his  living  truth,  in  the  light  and  spirit  of  his 
dear  son  Christ  Jesus,  shining  in  my  heart  and  soul,  by 
the  dawning  and  breaking  forth  of  the  day  and  power  of 
Christ,  the  darkness  (which  I  had  been  under  with  many 
more)  came  to  be  dispelled,  and  the  clouds  of  ignorance 
and  unbelief  dispersed  in  a  great  measure.  I  say,  after 
I  had  experienced  these  blessed  effects  of  God's  visita- 
tion by  this  day-spring  and  spiritual  appearance  of 
Christ,  his  light  and  grace,  I  had  many  deep  considera- 
tions of  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  sincere  desires  of 
the  prosperity  thereof  in  my  own  heart,  and  truly  loved 
the  company  and  society  of  the  faithful  and  upright  in 
heart,  who  walked  in  the  simplicity  of  truth  ;  and  both 
before  and  after  some  degrees  of  a  living  testimony  were 
given  me  to  bear  for  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  made  seri- 
ous observation  of  the  sober  conversations,  conduct 
and  testimony  of  my  elder  brethren,  whom  I  ten- 
derly loved  and  esteemed  in  Christ.  And  by  the  earl}^ 
notice  and  observation  I  took  of  matters  relating  to  the 
truth  and  to  my  friends  and  brethren,  they  had  the  deep- 
er impression  upon  my  spirit,  and  became  the  more  me- 
morable, the  better  and  longer  to  be  remembered;  espe- 
cially matters  most  remarkable  and  of  greatest  impor- 
tance, wherein  our  standing  and  steadfastness  in  the 
grace  of  God  and  faith  of  Christ  were  concerned.  And 
when  I  saw  any  one  backslide,  or  turn  aside,  or  err  from 


(,     IV  ) 


the  same,  it  became  matter  of  sorrow  and  great  grief  ta 
my  soul,  yet  in  that  the  Lord  gave  me  to  believe  and 
understand  he  had  and  should  have  a  faithful  people, 
family,  church  and  house,  built  upon  a  sure  foundation, 
the  rock  Christ  Jesus,  which  the  gates  of  Hell  should 
not  prevail  against;  and  that  I  should  '  see  the  good- 
ness of  the  Lord  in'  the  land  of  the  living.  This 
faith  in  the  Lord's  power  and  work,  and  hope  in  his  mer- 
cy and  goodness,  became  a  stay  to  my  mind  and  anchor 
to  my  soul  though  manifold  afflictions,  sorrows  and  tri- 
als, as  it  hath  been  to  many  more  of  his  faithful  servants 
and  witnesses,  who  have  finished  their  course  with  joy 
and  ended  their  days  in  peace.  Even  in  our  times  since 
we  were  a  people  many  such  have  been  who  in  derision 
were  first  termed  Quakers,  because  they  trembled  at  the 
word  a\id  power  of  the  Lord  God. 

I  have  long  been  satisfied  that  the  truth  is  unchange- 
able, and  will  continue  truth  still,  how  many  soever  op- 
pose, gainsay  or  turn  from  it,  as  many  have  done  in  our 
times,  as  in  the  primitive  christian  days ;  there  were  then 
backsliders,  apostates,  and  some  turned  bitter  adversa- 
ries, who  crucified  to  themselves  the  Lord  of  life  afresh, 
and  put  him  to  open  shame  and  reproach.  There  were 
some  that  were  said  to  tread  under  foot  the  Son  of  God 
(by  their  contempt  against  him,  his  light  and  spirit)  do- 
ing despite  to  his  spirit  of  grace,  and  turning  the  grace 
of  God  into  lasciviousness.  Many  also  there  were  whose 
condition  the  apostle  lamented,  who  turned  into  corrupt 
liberty,  to  glory  in  their  shame,  to  mind  earthly  things 
more  than  heavenly,  and  these  were  enemies  to  the  cross 
of  Christ,  and  whose  end  was  destruction,  Phil.  3.  18,  19. 
Others  caused  divisions,  rents,  schisms  and  factions,  and 
set  up  sect-masters,  even  among  the  primitive  churches; 
against  sucli  the  holy  apostles  gave  divers  weighty  cau- 
tions and  testimonies.  Many  ways,  wiles  and  devices 
has  satan,  the  old  adversary,  to  beguile,  seduce,  and 
lead  away  captive  the  unwatchful,  unwary,  unstable 
and  unfaithful  souls:  hovvbeit,  some  prodigals  and  back- 
sliders (not  altogether  hardened  in  sin)  have  returned 
unto  the  fathers  house,  and  some  who  have  fallen  under 
temptations  have  risen  again,  when  they  have  been  hum- 


(     V  ) 


bled  under  affliction,  chastisement  and  judgiTient  from 
God,  and  in  the  midst  of  judgment  he  has  remembered 
mercy,  that  he  might  be  feared. 

And  although  there  has  been  a  falling  away  of  some, 
through  the  subtle  working  of  satan  in  his  various  trans- 
formings,  so  as  that  wicked  one,  the  son  of  perdition, 
that  spiritual  Judas  and  betrayer,  that  man  of  sin  might 
be  the  more  revealed  and  made  manifest.  And  although 
some  have  been  betrayed,  vailed,  clouded,  captivated  in 
their  understandings,  and  misled  for  a  time  by  that  be- 
traying, false  and  treacherous  spirit,  yet  where  they  have 
not  been  wholly  dead,  but  some  life  and  ground  of  sin- 
cerity remaining,  some  tender  desires  toward  God  have 
sprung  up,  and  he  hath  opened  their  eyes,  to  see  and  es- 
cape the  snare  of  the  adversary,  so  as  such  have  not 
been  led  nor  drawn  back  into  perdition,  to  be  utterly 
lost;  but  according  to  the  mercy  of  God  and  riches  of 
his  grace  in  Christ  Jesus,  have  been  restored,  and  ob- 
tained salvation  through  faith  and  patience  in  him,  and 
been  delivered  from  the  snares  of  satan  and  out  of  their 
afflictions,  tribulations,  manifold  trials  and  temptations. 

As  to  our  early  friend  and  brother  James  JVayler,  his 
failure  was  not  into  the  common  pollutions  or  enormities 
of  the  world,  for  against  them  he  testified  in  conversa- 
tion and  doctrine;  although  some  time  after  he  came  to 
London,  an  hour  of  deep  temptation  and  heavy  suffer- 
ings befel  him,  which  were  suffered  to  try  the  Lord's 
people  in  that  day ;  and  their  persecutors  also  who  made 
a  profession  and  shew  of  Religion  and  Christianity,  but 
not  in  sincerity,  when  their  severer  practices  of  perse- 
cution manifested  the  contrary. 

Some  more  particular  account  I  may  give  from  what 
I  have  really  observed  and  understood  relating  to  him, 
his  testimony,  temptation  and  restoration. 

He  came  forth  early  in  a  good  degree  of  brightness,  in 
a  Christian  testimony  in  behalf  of  Christ  Jesus  his  uni- 
versal light  and  grace,  being  accordingly  of  a  very  sober 
conversation,  and  a  strict  self-denying  religious  example, 
and  appeared  well  read  in  Holy  Scripture. 

His  imprisonment  at  Appleby  in  Westmoreland,  1652, 
and  his  testimony  for  truth  therein,  and  upon  his  exami- 


(    vi  ) 


nation  at  their  sessions  was  much  taken  notice  of  in 
that  country;  and  he  was  instrumental  in  convincing 
divers  enquirers  after  the  way  of  truth  in  and  about 
Strickland,  in  the  same  county  He  was  enabled  by 
the  light  and  spirit  of  Christ  to  vindicate  his  truth  and 
gospel,  and  zealously  to  contend  for  the  faith  thereof,  as 
delivered  to  the  Saints  against  opposers  and  gainsayers 
in  those  days.  Priests  and  persecutors,  &c. 

By  a  good  measure  of  divine  illumination  and  inward 
experience,  he  knew  the  ministration  of  judgment  and 
mercy,  law  and  gospel,  preferring  the  ministration  of  the 
spirit  above  that  of  the  letter;  and  accordingly  preach- 
ed to  turn  people's  minds  to  the  light,  the  life,  the  spirit 
and  power  of  Christ  in  them,  out  of  all  empty  forms, 
carnal  observations,  dead  literal  preachings  and  profes- 
sions, where  the  power  of  Godliness  was  or  is  denied. 
In  these  matters  the  said  J.  N.  was  in  measure  gifted, 
with  demonstration  of  the  spirit  of  Christ  while  the  light 
shined  upon  his  Tabernacle,  before  he  was  clouded  and 
hurt. 

Some  time  after  I  was  convinced,  and  knew  the  truth, 
I  heard  him  at  sundry  meetings  in  Westmoreland,  and 
Sedberg  in  Yorkshire,  1653.  At  one  meeting  at  Draw- 
well  I  remember,  he  declaring  upon  a  mysterious  place 
in  the  Revelation,  he  proceeded  not  to  explain  the  pas- 
sage, but  made  a  stop,  seeming  to  give  a  check  to  him- 
self, intimating,  that  he  would  not  stretch  or  go  beyond 
his  measure,  according  to  that  saying  of  the  Apostle,  2 
Cor.  X.  13.  But  we  will  not  boast  of  things  without  our 
measure^  but  according  to  the  measure  of  the  rule  which 
God  hath  distributed  to  us,  a  measure  to  reach  even  to  you. 
Ver.  14.  For  we  stretch  not  ourselves  beyond  our  measure, 
^c, 

I  took  great  notice  of  this  passage,  and  I  truly  wish 
that  all  who  have  a  part  in  the  same  Ministry  may  take 
good  notice  of  the  same,  so  as  not  to  stretch  themselves 
beyond  their  own  measures  given  them  of  God. 

Afterwards  he  came  to  London,  1655,  where  Francis 
Howgill  and  Edward  Burrough  had  been  some  time  be- 
fore him,  and  by  their  Ministry  convinced  many  of  the 
blessed  truth,  and  turned  them  to  the  light  and  worship 


(   vii  ) 


of  God  in  spirit  and  truth.  The  said  J.  N.  for  some  time 
had  a  service  in  the  Ministry  and  vindication  of  the 
truth,  by  his  preaching  and  divers  books  written  by  him, 
and  was  for  some  time  admired  and  much  followed  by 
many. 

And  some  too  much  glorying  in,  and  admiring  the  said 
J.  N.  above  his  brethren,  tended  to  his  hurt  and  loss,  as 
soon  after  followed;  insomuch  that  he  came  to  be  ensna- 
red through  the  subtil  adversary's  geting  advantage 
upon  him,  by  means  of  some  persons,  who  too  much  glo- 
ried in  him,  and  endeavoured  to  exalt  him  above  his 
brethren;  and  also  to  cause  division  between  him  and 
them:  for  so  it  came  to  pass,  according  as  J,  N.  related 
to  me  some  time  after  the  Lord  had  restored  him  out  of 
his  bewildered  and  suffering  state,  that  a  few  forward, 
conceited,  imaginary  women, especially  one  Martha  Sim- 
mods  and  some  others,  under  pretence  of  some  divine 
motions,  grew  somewhat  turbulent,  and  interrupting  the 
Ministry  and  service  of  the  said  F.  Howgill  and  E.  Bur- 
rough  in  some  public  meetings,  they  reproving  her  and 
her  party,  and  manifesting  their  dislike  thereto,  seeing 
their  forwardness,  indiscretion  and  hurt  they  did  in  some 
meetings,  interrupting  the  public  service  wherein  those 
faithful  and  able  Ministers,  F.  H.  and  E.  B.  were  enga- 
ged. Whereupon  the  said  Martha  and  another  woman 
went  and  made  their  complaint  to  James  Nayler,  against 
the  said  F.  H.  and  E.  B.  endeavouring  to  set  him  against 
them,  and  to  draw  a  judgment  from  him  against  them; 
which  not  obtaining  from  him  (for  he  was  afraid  to  pass 
judgment  upon  his  brethren  as  they  desired.)  Where- 
upon the  said  Martha  fell  into  a  passion  in  a  kind  of 
mourning,  or  weeping,  and  bitterly  crying  out  with  a 
mournful  shrill  voice,  saying, "  I  looked  for  judgment,  but 
behold  a  cry!"  and  with  that  cried  aloud  in  a  passion- 
ate lamenting  manner,  which  so  entered  and  pierced 
poor  James  Nayler,  that  it  smote  him  down  into  so  much 
sorrow  and  sadness,  that  he  was  much  dejected  in  spirit 
or  disconsolate,  fears  and  doubting  then  entered  him, 
that  he  came  to  be  clouded  in  his  understanding,  bewil- 
dered, and  at  a  loss  in  his  judgment.  Thus,  poor  man, 
he  stood  not  in  his  dominion  (as  he  should  have  done) 


(    viii  ) 


over  that  dividing,  false  transforming  spirit,  which  sought 
to  sow  discord  among  brethren;  which  for  a  time  caus- 
ed some  estrangement  and  distance  in  him  from  his 
brethren  and  true  friends. 

The  substance  of  the  foregoing  relation,  how  J.  N» 
came  to  be  ensnared  and  to  such  a  loss,  he  himself  gave 
me  the  account,  as  we  were  walking  together  in  the  field 
at  Great  Strickland  in  Westmoreland,  1657.  After  we 
had  both  been  at  a  meeting  of  Friends  orT  Strickland- 
Heath.  And  this  was  after  he  was  revived,  and  resto- 
red to  a  measure  of  good  understanding  and  judgment, 
and  inward  sense  also  of  the  great  mercy  and  love  of 
God  therein,  whereby  his  first  love  was  renewed  in  him 
towards  his  faithful  friends  and  brethren  in  Christ, 

Before  we  parted  that  time  the  said  J.  N.  and  I  had  a 
meeting  with  some  Friends  in  a  Friend's  house  near 
Strickland,  where  he  very  much  exhorted  them  to  love 
and  unity  (against  division  and  discord)  much  pressing 
them  to  charity,  and  to  have  fervent  charity  or  love  a- 
mong  themselves,  to  put  on  charity,  which  is  the  bond 
of  perfectness,  &c.    Which  was  very  seasonable. 

But  to  return  to  give  some  further  hints  of  the  sad 
and  hard  consequences  which  followed  the  said  J.  N's. 
falling  under  the  spirit  of  those  persons  who  had  com- 
plained and  cried  to  him  for  judgment  against  his  breth- 
ren. After  some  time  they  cried  him  up  publickly  in  di- 
vers places,  bowing  and  kneeling  before  him,  magnify- 
ing him  with  high  appellations:  for  which  their  bowing 
and  falling  down  before  him,  the  example  of  the  Shuna- 
mite  falling  down  at  the  feet  of  Elisha  was  pleaded; 
though  that  was  in  a  different  case  and  condition,  (2 
Kings  iv.  27,  37.)  and  no  just  parallel. 

When  many  of  us  who  were  then  sufferers  in  divers 
Prisons,  heard  of  and  understood  their  madness  and  su- 
perstitious behaviour  toward  J.  N.  we  were  surprised 
and  grieved  that  he  suffered  them  so  to  follow  and  ex- 
pose him,  to  make  a  fool  and  gazing-stock  of  him,  with- 
out reprehending  them,  which  gave  his  adversaries  and 
persecutors  the  chief  advantage  against  him  upon  his 
examination  before  the  committee  of  Parliament.  His 
forbearing  in  due  time  to  testify  against  the  folly  of  those 


his  followers,  who  magnified  him,  was  his  great  weak- 
ness and  loss  of  judgment,  and  brought  the  greater  suf- 
fering upon  him,  poor  man!  Though  when  he  was  de- 
livered out  of  the  snare,  he  did  condemn  ail  their 
wild  and  mad  actions  toward  him,  and  judged  himself 
also:  Howbeit,  our  adversaries  and  persecutors  unjust- 
ly took  occasion  thereupon,  to  triumph  and  insult,  and 
to  reproach  and  roar  against  Quakers,  tho'  as  a  people 
wholy  unconcerned  and  clear  from  those  occasions  and 
offences. 

But,  however,  the  cruel  and  barbarous  usage  which 
the  said  J.  N.  met  withal  seemed  to  be  so  intolerable,  as 
might  tend  to  satisfy  the  highest  revenge,  and  mitigate 
the  greatest  fury,  and  abate  the  loudest  clamour  and  re- 
proach of  the  most  invidious  persecutors  and  adversa- 
ries. For  a  man  to  be  sentenced  "to  stand  two  hours 
in  the  Pillory  at  Westminster,  and  from  thence  to  be 
whipped  by  the  common  hangman  over  every  kennell  as 
far  as  the  old  Exchange  with  three  hundred  and  ten 
stripes,  and  there  again  to  stand  two  hours  in  the  pillory, 
and  bored  through  the  tongue  with  a  hot  iron,  under 
|)retence  of  blasphemy,  when  no  real  proof  coirld  be 
made  thereof  against  him.  Which  treatment  and  usage 
the  said  J.  N.  met  withal.  This  might  seem  intolerable 
barbarity  exceeding  Jews  or  Turks,  Many  sober  men 
and  persons  of  quality  wercashamed  thereof,  and  great- 
ly pitied  him,  and  some  petitioned  the  Parliament  to  re- 
spite the  execution  of  the  last  part  of  the  sentence  for 
one  week's  time,  because  the  sufferer  was  in  a  Very  ill 
and  dangerous  condition  of  body,  by  the  severities  he 
had  suffered  from  the  first  part  of  the  sentence;  which 
respite  was  granted.  But  about  one  hundred  and  ten 
persons  presented  another  petition  at  the  bar  of  the 
house  of  Commons,  begging  that  the  remaining  part  of 
the  sentence  against  J.  N.  might  be  remitted.  Which 
not  producing  the  desired  effect,  they  addressed  Oliver, 
then  Lord  Protector,  as  he  was  termed,  by  petition,  that 
he  being  jointly  interested  in  the  proceeding  of  the  then 
Parliament  and  liberty  of  conscience  (pretended)  &c. 
would  please  to  stand  up  for  the  poor  people  of  God, 
and  take  such  course  as  that  the  intended  execution. 


(     X  ) 


and  remaining  punishment  against  the  said  J.  N.  might 
be  remitted  and  prevented.  But  he  slightly  turned  it  off, 
rather  seeming  to  take  for  granted,  that  the  sufferer 
might  be  guilty  of  the  crimes  imputed  to  him,  yet  desi- 
red that  tlie  house  would  let  him  know  the  grounds  and 
reasons  whereupon  they  had  proceeded  ;  which  seemed 
a  poor  shift  and  evasion!  Notwithstanding  all  which  so- 
licitations the  sentence  of  Parliament  took  place  and 
was  executed  upon  the  said  J.  N."  Narr.  pp.  .54,  55,  56. 

All  which  severities  appeared  to  be  designed  to  bring 
odiums  and  reproach  upon  us  as  a  people,  and  our  holy 
profession:  for  in  those  days  the  high  and  proud  profes- 
sors and  persecutors  were  generally  bitterly  set  against 
the  people  called  Quakers,  when  Presbytery  and  inde- 
pendency swam  and  floated  in  profession,  and  with  their 
long  lectures  against  us  cried  out,  these  are  the  anti- 
christs come  in  the  last  times,  &,c.  "For  at  that  time  in 
December,  1656,  were  several  petitions  presented  to  the 
Parliament,  containing  complaints  against  the  growth 
and  exhorbitances  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  from 
Ministers,  Magistrates  and  others  of  the  counties  and 
cities  following,  viz.  Devon  and  Exeter,  Northumberland, 
Durham  and  Newcastle  upon  Tine,  county  of  Chester 
and  city  of  Chester,  citv  of  Bristol  and  county  of  Corn- 
wall." 

"  Which  said  petitions  were  all  referred  to  a  commit- 
tee to  consider  of  them,  and  to  collect  such  heads  as 
might  be  fittest  for  a  bill,  for  suppressing  of  the  mis- 
chiefs and  inconveniences  complained  of  therein.  Narr, 
p.  37. 

Note,  it  was  observable,  how  busy  the  proud,  cove- 
tous and  envious  priests  were  in  those  days,  to  incense 
the  magistrates  against  us,  to  make  them  their  servants 
and  drudges  in  persecution,  supposing  that  a  fit  oppor- 
tunity given  them  to  brand  us  with  blasphemy,  and  un- 
der that  pretence  to  suppress  us  by  force  of  perse- 
cution. 

How  be  it  by  all  the  strict  inquisition  made  upon  the 
said  J.  N,  and  severe  proceedings  against  him,  and  re- 
proaches and  aggravations  thereupon,  to  make  him 
guilty  of  blasphemy,  I  never  understood  that  he  assu- 


(    xi  ) 


med,or  arrogated  to  himself  the  names  or  titles  of  Jesus 
or  Christ;  but  contrarywise  confessed  to  his  Inquisitors 
of  the  Committee  and  Parliament,  that  he  did  not  call 
himself  by  that  name,  nor  understood  that  they  who 
took  his  part  meant  so  of  himself  being  a  visible  crea- 
true,  not  God  nor  Christ;  but  what  all  true  christians 
and  children  of  God  believe  and  own,  that  God  w^as 
his  father,  and  that  he  knew  Christ  in  measure  to  be 
spiritually  in  iiim  by  his  holy  spirit,  light  and  grace,  as 
he  is  in  all  his  saints  and  true  believers;  which  is  no 
blasphemy,  but  true  christian  doctrine:  and  neither  was 
this  any  denial  of  Christ  come  in  the  flesh,  nor  to  set 
up  any  other  for  Jesus  Christ,  but  the  same  Messiah,  the 
very  Christ  the  Son  of  the  Living  God,  born  of  the  Vir- 
gin Mary  at  Bethiehem  in  Judea,  whose  coming  in  the 
flesh,  and  revelation  and  coming  in  spirit,  are  both  tes- 
tified in  Holy  Scripture;  consequently  neither  blasphe- 
my nor  anticrhistian  doctrine  could  be  proved  from  con- 
fessing Christ  in  either  respect,  seeing  neither  were 
denied, but  owned  accordingto  ourchristian  principle  and 
doctrine. 

After  I  and  some  other  friends  came  to  be  released 
out  of  a  close,  long  and  hard  confinement,  in  Edmunds- 
bury  jail  in  the  county  of  Suffolk,  which  was  in  the 
years  1655  and  1656, 1  came  to  London,  and'  went  to  see 
the  said  J.  N.  then  prisoner  in  the  Gatehouse  at  West- 
minster, but  could  not  get  into  the  room  where  he  was, 
but  saw  him  and  spake  to  him  through  the  grate  of  the 
door,  to  know  how  he  did?  He  looked  on  me,  but  said 
little:  he  seemed  to  be  in  a  suffering  condition  of  spirit, 
as  well  as  body. 

The  said  Martha  Simmons,  with  some  other  women 
that  had  cried  him  up,  and  followed  him  to  his  preju- 
dice, being  in  another  room,  I  went  up  to  see  them,  and 
Martha  understanding  who  I  w^as,  began  furiously  to 
judge  me,  telling  me,  all  that  I  had  done  must  come  to 
the  fire:  but  when  I  soberly  questioned  her  judgment, 
she  could  render  no  reason  for  the  same,  but  persisted 
in  her  rash  uncivil  behaviour  and  folly,  which  I  testified 
against,  and  cleared  my  conscience  before  the  company 
with  her;  for  I  was  sensible  a  great  darkness  was  then 
over  them. 


(    xii  ) 


Having  lately  perused  the  narrative  of  the  said  J.  N's 
examination  before  the  committee  and  House  of  Com- 
mons in  Parliament  and  compared  matters  of  fact  and 
his  cruel  sufferings,  I  find  his  punishment  so  far  from  be- 
ing Secundum  qualitatem.^  quantitatem  delicti^  that  they 
far  exceed  both,  consequently  arbitrary,  and  extremely 
unjust  and  barbarous. 

For  1st,  he  suffered  chiefly  for  the  offence  of  other  per-  . 
sons  with  him,  their  giving  him  such  high  honor  or  hom- 
age, as  they  did  in  a  public  manner,  esteeming  him  as  a 
great  and  eminent  prophet  of  the  most  high,  replenished 
with  Christ,  or  partaking  of  his  fulness  above  his  breth- 
ren, to  make  division  between  him  and  them. 

2.  He  did  not  rebuke  nor  reject  them  therein;  but 
quietly  suffered  them  in  their  superstitious  behaviour 
and  high  acclamations,  which  was  from  privation  of 
true  judgment,  and  his  great  wc^akness  and  indiscretion 
disowned  by  his  true  friends  and  brethren. 

3.  By  confessing  himself  to  be  but  a  visible  creature, 
and  did  not  own  nor  attribute  to  himsellf  the  name  of 
Jesus  or  Christ,  he  did  thereby  endeavor  to  free  and  quit 
himself  from  their  charge  of  blasphemy,  who  sought 
such  occasion  against  him,  to  colour  over  and  excuse 
their  own  severities. 

4.  It  was  certainly  Satan  in  his  transformings  lhat 
made  use  of  instruments  to  betray  him  into  division  and 
disunion  with  his  brethren  and  friends,. an'd  it  was  the 
Devil  in  his  great  envy  and  malice,  that  made  use  of 
instruments  to  use  him  inhumanly  and  barbarously,  as 
aforesaid,  to  bring  reproach  upon  the  Lord's  people  and 
heritage.  But  our  God  suffered  these  trials  and  hard- 
ships to  try  and  discover  many  high  professors  of  Chris- 
tianity in  those  days;  and  how  far  contrary  thereto, 
their  actions  of  cruelty  did  openly  manifest.  And  also 
the  Lord  our  God  gave  us  his  innocent  people  faith 
and  patience  to  bear  them;  Blessed  be  his  name  for 
ever. 

When  I  understood  what  offence  J.  N.  had  given,  and 
what  sufferings  fell  upon  him,  and  reproach  upon  us- 
thereby,  I  often  remembered  and  considered  the  prophe- 
cy of  Daniel,  Chap.  11.  3.5,    And  some  of  them  of  un- 


(    xiii  ) 


derstanding  shall  fall  to  try  them,  and  to  purge,  and  to 
make  them  white:  even  to  the  tune  of  the  end,  &c. 
Ver.  34.  Now  when  they  shall  fall  they  shall  be  holpen 
with  a  little  help;  but  many  shall  cleave  to  them  with 
flatteries. 

Some  of  these  things  came  to  pass  in  the  condition 
and  case  of  J.N.  He  was  a  man  of  understanding,  yet 
had  a  fall :  flatterers  did  cleave  unto  him,  but  he  was  hol- 
pen with  a  little  help,  yet  in  great  mercy  and  compassion 
to  him. 

When  J.  N.  was  prisoner  in  Old  Bridewell  in  London, 
It  pleased  the  Lord  to  afford  him  a  fresh  visitation,  and 
to  open  his  understanding,  and  remove  the  cloud  that 
had  been  over  him,  whereupon  he  wrote  some  brief  testi- 
monies to  clear  and  vindicate  the  truth  which  had  deep- 
ly suffered  on  this  account,  as  before. 

Serious  reader  (by  the  way)  note,  that  there  are  mar- 
ginal notes  added  to  the  before-mentioned  narrative  of 
the  parliament's  proceedings  against  J.  N.  (by  what 
hand  I  know  not)  wherein  some  scriptures  in  the  mar- 
gin are  misapplied,  though  the  narrative  itself  appears 
impartial. 

After  the  said  J.  N.  was  brought  under  suffering  and 
contempt  through  the  folly  of  that  party  that  too  highly 
applauded  him. .and  his  too  much  suffering  them  without 
reprehending  them  indue  season;  some  other  persons  of 
a  loose  ranting  spirit  got  up,  and  frequently  disturbed 
our  friends  meetings  in  London,  by  their  ranting,  singing, 
bawling  and  reproaching  us,  crying  out  against  divers 
of  our  faithful  ministers  and  their  testimonies,  in  this 
manner,  viz.  you  have  lost  the  power ;  you  have  lost  the 
power,  &;c.  All  which  disorder  and  that  wicked  spirit 
J.  N.  condemned,  being  heartily  sorry  that  they  had  any 
strength  upon  his  account ;  as  he  signified  when  the  Lord 
had  brought  him  under  judgment. 

And  of  this  turbulent  company  was  one  Mildred,  an 
impudent  woman,  and  two  or  three  rude  boisterous  fel- 
lows, who  were  Ranters;  and  this  kind  of  their  distur- 
bance continued  for  some  weeks,  until  the  Lord  by  his 
power  stopped  and  confounded  them,  so  as  they  came  to 
nought. 


(   xiv  ) 


One  Robert  Rich,  a  merchant  in  London,  who  had 
been  convinced  of  truth,  be  was  a  great  admirer  of  J. 
N.  and  did  much  appear  and  solicit  for  him,  when  he 
was  under  prosecution  and  examination  before  the  par- 
liament, and  also  stood  by  him  on  the  pillory,  when  he 
suffered  under  the  cruel  sentence  of  boring  through  the 
tongue, and  stigmatizing  with  an  hot  iron,  and  thenpiib- 
lickly  licked  his  wounds,  thereby  shewing  his  great  af- 
fection to  him. 

After  sometime  the  said  Robert  Rich  went  into  Bar- 
badoes,  where  (as  we  had  account)  he  was  turbulent  in 
our  friends  meetings  with  noisy  singing,  &c.  to  the  of- 
fence of  sober  friends  there.  After  some  years  he  re- 
turned to  London,  and  came  into  some  of  our  meetings, 
and  walked  up  and  down  therein  in  a  stately  manner 
(having  a  very  long  white  beard)  in  his  black  velvet 
coat,  with  a  loose  hanging  cloth  one  over  it.  When  he 
heard  something  declared  that  pleased  him,  he  would 
cry  Amen^  Jlmen^  Amen^ 

After  a  meeting  in  White-Heart-Court  in  Gracious 
Street,  he  came  up  into  Gerard  Robert's  room  to  some 
of  us,  and  declared  unto  me  these  words,  viz  "I  am 
one  of  the  dogs  that  licked  Lazarus  his  sores." 

I  had  some  discourse  with  the  said  R.  R.  another 
time,  about  the  seed  of  God  (the  eternal  word)  in  man 
and  the  soul  of  man;  and  he  could  not  distinguish 
them,  putting  no  difference  between  the  soul  or  spirit  of 
man,  and  that  which  saves  it;  to  wit  the  ingrafted  im- 
mortal word,  which  is  able  to  save  the  soul.  So  that  he 
seemed  to  leave  no  room  for  the  immortality  of  the  soul 
of  man,  but  only  of  the  immortal  seed  or  word  of  God; 
but  discoursing  him  a  little  closely  upon  the  point,  he 
put  me  off  with  an  evasive  slight,  saying,  "thou  art  wise 
in  the  letter,  but  I  am  in  that  which  is  above  thy  wis- 
dom ;"  to  wit,  in  the  mystery,  &c. 

As  the  occasion  and  beginning  of  ^his  tragedy  which 
fell  so  heavily  and  severely  upon  poor  J.  N.  (as  is  before 
related)  was  introduced  by  a  spirit  of  division  and  en- 
mity, it  ended  in  a  divided,  loose  and  factious  party, 
which  at  last  the  Lord  delivered  him  out  of  and  from; 
though  some  were  lost  in  it:  for  I  never  knew  any  open 


schism,  rent  or  faction  made  from  our  christian  society 
by  a  partial  admiring  and  setting  up  particular  men  or 
persons,  as  sect  masters,  but  some  or  other  were  scat- 
tered and  lost  in  such  a  breach,  division  and  faction, 
being  turned  aside  from  the  holy  commandment  of  love, 
and  from  the  footsteps  of  Christ's  flock  and  family. 

Some  of  those  followers  and  admirers  of  J.  N.  (when 
in  his  clouded  condition)  were  puffed  up  in  their  ima- 
gination* concerning  him,  as  vainly  conceiting  his  growth 
and  attainments  in  Christ  amounted  to  more  equality 
with  him  [when  on  earth]  than  is  attainable  by  any 
particular  member;  probably  mistaking  that  Scripture, 
Ephes.  4.  13.  "Till  we  all  meet  together  [or  come]  into 
the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
Son  of  God,  and  to  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of 
the  stature  [or  of  the  age]  of  the  fulness  of  Christ." — 
Which  is  not  predicated  of  any  particular  member,  but 
of  the  whole  body  or  church,  as  united  to  Christ  the 
head  or  principle  thereof;  which  therefore  is  said  to  be 
the  "fulness  of  him  that  filleth  all  in  all,  Ephes.  1.  23." 
And  is  not  meant  as  if  every  one,  or  any  of  the  mem- 
bers in  parliament  should  be  equal  with  the  head,  though 
every  member  of  Christ  be  complete  and  perfect  in  him ; 
and  all  the  members  of  the  church,  or  mystical  body  of 
Christ  are  completed  in  him,  as  united  in  spirit,  in  true 
faith  and  love  unto  him,  as  th^ir  head,  their  life  and 
nourishment,  their  strength  and  salvation,  [Coloss.  2.  9, 
10,  19.]  It  is  the  head  that  supplies  all;  and  they  are 
all  partakers  of  his  fulness,  as  they  receive  thereof, 
grace  for  grace.  But  unto  every  one  of  us  is  given  grace, 
according  to  the  measure  of  the  gift  of  Christ,  Ephes. 
4.  7.  whereby  we  all  may  jointly,  as  one  man  in  Christ 
our  head,  one  body  united  to  and  in  him,  attain  unto  the 
measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ,  Ephes. 
Chap.  4.  Ver.  13.  But  when  any  one  of  us,  or  any  liv- 
ing member  of  Christ's  body,  receive  of  his  grace,  spirit, 
power  or  wisdom,  it  is  by  measure,  as  to  us  or  our  capa- 
cities: But  he  [Christ  Jesus]  received  the  spirit  not  by 
measure  but  in  fulness;  all  power  in  Heaven  and  earth 
is  given  to  the  Son,  Matt h.  28.  18.  It  hath  pleased  the 
Father,  that  in  him  should  all  fullness  dwell:  And  he  is 


(    xvi  ) 

the  head  of  the  body  of  the  church,  and  in  all  things 
must  have  the  pre-eminence,  1  Coloss.  1.  18,  19.  As 
Christ  is  our  head,  we  are  all  inferior  to  him;  and  his 
church  is  subject  to  him,  Eph.  5.  24. 

And  if  any  of  them  who  too  highly  admired  J.  N. 
would  alledge  Phil.  2. 5.  Let  the  same  mind  be  in  you 
that  was  even  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  being  in  the  form  of 
God,  thought  it  no  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God,  &c. 
The  same  mind  that  was  to  be  in  them,  was  his  humble, 
lowly,  self-denying  mind,  wherein  he  made  himself  of  no 
reputation,  but  humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient  to 
the  death  of  the  cross.  This  was  a  mind  meet  for  be- 
lievers, and  not  to  think  themselves  equal  with  god  or 

CHRIST. 

The  Galatians,  when  they  so  highly  admired  the 
apostle  Paul  at  first,  that  they  received  him  as  an  angel 
of  God;  yea,  as  Christ  Jesus,  insomuch  that  if  it  had 
been  possible,  they  would  have  plucked  out  their  own 
eyes,  and  have  given  him.  Gal.  4.  14,  15.  Yet  for  all 
that  affection  they  were  then  but  weak  and  unstable 
christians;  seeing  they  did  not  persevere  nor  obey  the 
truth,  when  bewitched  or  s.educed  from  the  spirit  into 
the  flesh,  to  observe  fleshy  and  legal  observations  of 
shadows  and  ceremonies,  which  Jesus  Christ  being  cru- 
cified, had  ended,  blotted  out,  and  nailed  to  his  cross, 
[Gal.  3.  1,  2,3.  Coloss.  2.  14.]  '  In  order  to  introduce 
and  establish  a  more  excellent  dispensation  of  the  spir- 
it and  new  covenant. 

These  things  seriously  considered,  people  may  see 
and  take  caution,  not  to  admire  men,  nor  think  of  men 
above  what  is  meet,  nor  to  glory  in  men,  [1  Corinth.  3. 
21, 22,  23.]  nor  to  give  way  to  a  partial  indiscreet  affec- 
tion  to  men  or  persons,  that  can  be  no  safe  foundation 
^  or  building  which  is  so  laid  or  built :  but  Christ  Jesus  the 
sure  foundation,  the  sure  immoveable  rock  and  chief 
corner  stone,  upon  which  the  true  church,  the  spiritual 
house  must  be  built  and  established,  which  the  gates  of 
hell  may  not  prevail  against. 

When  our  friends  understood  the  Lord  had  in  measure 
mercifully  restored  J.  N.  out  of  the  snare  of  the  adver- 
sary, into  a  right  sight  and  sense  of  the  light  and  life  of 


(    xvii  ) 


Christ,  whereby  he  saw  the  loss  and  hurt  he  had  sus* 
tained,  many  wer(3  truly  comforted  in  the  mercy  of  God 
toward  him,  for  his  name  and  truth's  sake,  which  he 
had  borne  witness  of. 

Although  I  had  some  times  heard  and  observed  the 
said  J.  N  in  his  ministry  and  solid  deportment  in  the 
north  of  England,  as  before  related,  some  time  before 
his  coming  to  London,  yet  had  very  little  conversation 
with  him  until  after  he  was  recovered  out  of  the  fall, 
and  delivered  out  of  his  said  suffering  condition  in  Lon- 
don, kc.  where  it  so  providentially  fell  out,  that  he  and 
I  for  some  time  lodged  together  at  William  Travers  his 
house  in  VVatling  Srreet,  London  (about  Anno  1659  and 
1660.)  And  we  had  innocent,  loving  and  comfortable 
conversation  together,  he  being  revived  by  the  Lord's 
power,  and  in  measure  restored  into  his  ancient  testimo- 
ny, and  to  bear  the  same  publicly  in  divers  parts  of  the 
nation,  as  the  Lord  enabled  him,  both  in  his  ministry 
and  writings.  And  he  walked  in  much  brotherly  love 
and  simplicity  among  us  until  his  end  came:  and  near 
his  departure  he  expressed  his  great  care  for  the  lambs 
of  Christ's  fold,  according  as  was  intimated  to  me  by  a 
dear  friend  and  brother,  and  ended  his  days  like  an  in- 
nocent lamb,  in  peace  and  quietness,  and  was  buried  by 
friends  in  Huntingtonshire,  wdiere  he  died,  near  Thomas 
Parnell's,  who  lived  at  Kings-rippon. 

If  it  should  be  enquired,  "why  was  the  reprinting  of 
his  books  so  long  deferred,  at  least  some  of  his  principal 
books  and  writings?  And  how  came  they  now  to  be 
reprinted?" 

Answer,  1.  Because  some  friends  were  in  a  strait  and 
fear  about  reprinting  his  works,  because  of  his  failure 
and  occasion  of  reproach  formerly  given  thereby;  yet 
some  of  them  were  reprinted  since. 

2.  Because  since  the  same  offence  is  removed,  and 
reproach  stopped  and  taken  away  through  his  unfeigned 
repentance,  confessions,  retractations  and  submission  to 
the  ancient  truth,  and  reconciliation  therein  to  faithful 
friends  and  brethren.  And  for  the  sake  of  many  weigh- 
ty testimonies  in  his  books  and  writings;  many  friends 

3 


♦  ■ 


(    xvili  ) 


of  iate  have  desired,  that  at  least  some  of  his  most  ser- 
viceable books  and  writings  might  be  reprinted. 

3.  The  fall,  miscarriages,  or  failings  of  David,  Heze- 
kiah,  Peter,  (and  divers  others  mentioned  in  holy  Scrip- 
ture) being  repented  of,  and  they  themselves  restored,  yet 
these  did  not  prevent  or  hinder  the  religious,  pious  and 
christian  testimonies  from  being  published,  and  left  upon 
record  to  posterity,  that  the  judgments  of  God  and  his 
chastisements  for  sin,  and  his  mercy  and  forgiveness 
npon  true  repentance  may  be  remembered,  and  his 
grace  and  tender  mercy  in  Christ  the  more  magnified. 

King  David  was  deeply  humbled  under  judgment  unto 
repentance,  for  his  great  transgression,  and  his  blessed 
testimonies,  prophecies  and  good  actions  also  are  left 
upon  record  in  the  book  of  Psalms,  &c. 

King  Solomon  came  to  see  all  his  earthly  delighte 
and  sensual  pleasures  lo  be  but  vanity  and  vexation  of 
spirit,  Eccies.  Chap.  1,  2,  3.  kc.  Which  shows  a  real 
change  in  his  mind  and  affections,  and  many  of  his  wri- 
tings, wise  sayings  and  proverbs  are  left  upon  record. 

Hezekiah  king  of  Judah  humbled  himself,  when  God 
was  angry  with  him,  because  his  heart  was  lifted  up 
with  pride,  when  the  Lord  had  left  him  to  try  him,  that 
he  might  see  all  that  was  in  his  heart,  2  Chron.  32.  and 
Chap.  25.  Ver.  26.  31.  And  yet  both  the  humiliation, 
prayer  and  writing  of  Hezekiah  are  recorded,  and  so 
left  to  posterity,  2.  Kings  19.    Isai.  38. 

Peter  wept  bitterly  after  he  had  denied  his  Lord 
Christ,  Mat.  26.  75.  Yet  he  became  an  evangelical 
preacher  and  writer,  an  eminent  apostle,  elder  and  min- 
ister of  Jesus  Christ. 

It  was  well  known,  that  the  said  J.  N.  through  deep 
sorrow,  contrition  and  humiliation,  made  humble  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  hurt  and  loss  he  had  fallen  under, 
and  offence  he  had  given  to  truth  and  his  brethren,  &c. 
of  our  society,  and  that  it  was  the  great  mercy  of  God 
through  Jesus  Christ  to  restore  him,  as  is  more  fully  in- 
timated in  some  of  his  writings. 

Surely  it  greatly  behooves  us  to  forgive  and' pass  by 
trespasses  and  offences  when  God  forgives  mem,  blots 
them  out,  and  remembers  them  no  more  against  the  tru- 


(    xix  ) 


ly  penitent,  who  enter  into  covenant  and  keep  covenant 
with  him,  who  is  a  God  keeping  covenant  and  mercy  for 
ever  to  them  who  truly  love  and  fear  him. 

Serious  and  friendly  reader,  though  i  have  not  read 
all  J.  N's  books  and  writings,  yet  some  I  have ;  and  hope 
thou  wilt  find  many  weighty  and  informing  truths  in 
them.  And  if  any  thing  of  sentence,  words,  or  expres- 
sions seem  not  intelligible,  or  well  distinguished  or  a- 
dapted,  or  not  clear  to  thy  understanding,  or  mysteri- 
ously expressed,  I  hope  thy  charity  will  either  pass  by 
the  same,  or  make  the  best  or  most  favourable  con- 
struction thereof,  with  respect  to  the  general  import  of 
the  matters  and  things  in  those  most  clear  and  evident 
truths  aimed  at,  which  every  ingenfous  reader  will  ob- 
serve, more  than  nice  criticisms,  or  carping  at  words,  or 
modes  of  expressions. 

Thou  mayst  find  such  essential  and  weighty  truths 
therein,  as  may  tend  to  thy  profitable  information  in 
righteousness,  wherein  I  heartily  desire  may  be  thy  in- 
terest, peace  and  prosperity.  G.  W. 


TWO  SHORT  PAPERS  OF  CONFESSIONS,  &C. 
TAKEN  OUT  OF  HIS  OWN  HAND  WRITING. 

Dear  Brethren, 

My  heart  is  broken  this  day  for  the  offence  that  I  have 
occasioned  to  God's  truth  and  people,  and  especially  to 
you,  who  in  dear  love  followed  me,  seeking  me  in  faith- 
fulness to  God ;  which  I  rejected,  being  bound  wherein  I 
could  not  come  forth  till  God's  hand  brought  me,  to 
whose  love  I  now  confess ;  and  I  beseech  you,  forgive 
wherein  I  evilly  requitted  your  love  in  that  day,  God 
knows  my  sorrow  for  it,  since  I  see  it,  that  ever  I  should 
offend  that  of  God  in  any,  or  reject  his  counsel ;  and  now 
that  paper  you  have  seen  lies  much  upon  me,  and  I 
greatly  fear  further  to  offend,  or  do  amiss,  whereby  the 
innocent  truth,  or  people  of  God  should  suffer,  or  that  I 
should  disobey  therein. 

Unless  the  Lord  himself  keep  you  from  me,  I  beseech 
you  let  nothing  else  hinder  your  coming  to  me,  that  I 


(     XX  ) 


might  have  your  help  in  the  Lord;  in  the  mercies  of 
Christ  Jesus,  this  I  beg  of  you,  as  if  it  was  your  own 
case,  let  me  not  be  forgotten  of  you. 

And  I  entreat  you,  speak  to  Henry  Clarke,  or  whoever 
else  I  have  most  oft'ended ;  and  by  the  power  of  God, 
and  in  the  spirit  of  Christ  Jesus  I  am  willing  to  confess 
the  offence,  that  God's  love  may  arise  in  all  hearts,  as 
before,  if  it  be  his  will,  who  only  can  remove  what 
stands  in  the  way;  and  nothing  thereof  do  I  intend  to 
cover:  God  is  witness  herein. 

Dear  Friend^ 

I  would  not  grieve  thee,  nor  any  way  offend  the 
people  of  the  Lord,  who  is  my  witness  of  the  daily  sor- 
row and  travail  of  my  soul,  for  the  offences  that  have 
been  already,  and  that  the  peace  of  any  should  be  bro- 
ken through  me,  who  are  dear  to  me;  and  nothing  have 
I  in  this  world  near  in  my  heart  but  his  innocent  people, 
whom  he  liath  called  out  of  the  world;  and  I  cannot 
trouble  you  but  I  oppress  myowji  life:  the  Lord  God  of 
peace  rebuke  him,  who  daily  seeks  to  turn  the  simplici- 
ty out  of  its  way,  who  hath  long  withstood  me,  and  doth 
withstand  me:  truly  my  heart  dreads  for  fear  of  more 
divisions;  gladly  would  I  see  thy  face,  if  it  be  the  will 
of  God ;  my  bowels  yearn  in  unfeigned  love  towards 
thee,  God  knows  I  lie  not,  and  in  the  spirit  of  meekness 
I  know  thou  wilt  feel  me  in  truth.  And  whatever  the 
Lord,  in  any  of  you,  shall  lay  upon  me,  I  am  willing  to 
suffer  or  do,  that  all  breaches  may  be  removed  from 
the  just.  J.  N. 

Dear  J,  JV, 

God  hath  heard  the  prayers  which  hatli  been  to 
him,  for  to  give  unto  the  understanding  to  discern  and 
rule  over  that  spirit  that  bowed  thee  down,  and  in  cap- 
tivity kept  thee,  and  would  not  suffer  thee  to  incline 
thine  ear  to  the  counsel  of  the  brethren,  who  witnessed 
against  what  it  did  out  of  the  wisdom  of  God;  which 
in  the  deepest  of  thy  captivity,  when  the  greatest  weight 
lay  upon  me,  my  God  did  hear,  and  not  leave  me  with- 
out hope  concerning  thy  rising  again,  and  returning  into 
the  unity  with  the  saints  in  light,  and  to  deny  that  spirit 


(    xxi  ) 


that  run  out  and  made  disturbance  in  the  peaceable 
meetings  of  the  Lord's  people.  In  this  Counsel  of  my 
Father  I  waited  in  the  sufferings,  until  he  in  his  wisdom 
made  way  to  send  unto  thee,  which  was  done,  and  he 
alone  seen  in  giving  it  to  thee,  which  that  I  feel  moving 
in  thee,  from  whence  thou  hast  given  forth,  since  I  sent 
imto  thee,  hath  in  measure  answered.  Blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  who  in  measure  hath  given  thee  pow- 
er over  that  spirit  which  the  righteous  seed  groaned 
under:  let  this  mercy  be  prized, and  in  the  light  wait  to 
be  kept  single  to  the  Lord,  he  will  bring  again  all  that 
hath  been  driven  away;  they  returning  again  to  his 
counsel,  the  light,  in  which  the  dear  babes  and  children 
of  my  Father  grow  in  the  unity,  and  bring  forth  much 
fruit  id  the  power  of  his  love;  and  great  is  the  increase 
of  his  flock  all  abroad,  and  his  powerful  presence  keeps 
them  savory  aad  sweet  in  his  life,  to  the  praise  and  glo- 
ry of  his  name  over  all,  who  alone  is  worthy,  Jlmen, 

W.  D. 

Copied  from  the  original,  in  his  own  hand,  by  J.  W. 

To  all  the  dearly  beloved  people  of  God,  mercy  and 
peace. 

There  is  nothing  dear  and  precious  to  me  in  this 
world  but  God's  truth,  and  his  life  of  righteousness;  for 
which  I  have  forsaken  all  the  world,  and  whatever  was 
dear  to  me  therein,  I  have  hated,  and  counted  it  as  an 
enemy,  that  I  might  obtain  Christ,  the  fountain  and  spring 
of  that  eternal  life  of  truth,  the  beauty  whereof  I  can- 
not express,  as  I  see  it  and  feel  it;  the  loveliness  there- 
of to  my  soul  hath  so  dearly  united  my  spirit  to  all  that 
bear  the  image  and  life  of  it,  that  there  can  be  no  sepa- 
ration, but  my  life  suffers  thereby:  and  I  can  truly  say, 
that  there  is  no  other  thing  whatsoever  that  can  unite 
me  as  one  with  any  creature  living,  but  this  image  and 
life,  where  I  see  it  borne  up,  or  breathing  to  life ;  but  in 
whomsoever  it  be  (without  respect  of  persons)  that  1 
see  the  least  appearance  of  this  seed  of  life  is,  I  can  (by 
that  power  of  love  the  Father  hath  begotten  in  me)  lay 
down  my  life  for  the  seed's  sake.  And  wherein  I  have 
come  short  of  this  formerly,  and  have  respected  the 


(    xxii  ) 


high  more  than  stood  only  in  this  seed,  I  have  been 
judged  of  the  Lord,  and  my  evil  thoughts  therein  con- 
demned; yea,  and  I  do  condemn  them  before  all  the 
world,  to  be  of  that  which  favours  self,  and  not  the 
things  of  Christ:  and  the  lower  God  doth  bring  me,  and 
the  nearer  to  himself,  the  more  doth  this  love  and  ten- 
derness spring  and  spread  towards  the  poor,  simple,  and 
despised  ones,  who  are  poor  in  spirit,  meek  and  lowly 
suffering  lambs ;  and  with  those  I  choose  to  suffer,  and  do 
suffer  wherever  they  are  found,  and  I  bear  my  testimo- 
ny against  that  spirit  by  which  they  suffer,  wherever  it 
is  found;  and  this  lies  upon  me  from  the  Lord:  hearing 
and  feeling  a  spirit  of  enmity  having  got  head,  by  what 
the  Lord  hath  suffered  to  be  done  with  me,  and  now 
doth  exercise  its  power  against  the  peaceable  meetings 
of  the  Lord's  people,  the  burthen  whereof  lies  heavy 
upon  me, and  I  suffer  under  it,  and  have  long  waited  with 
prayers,  and  tears  of  sorrow,  night  and  day,  to  receive 
counsel  from  the  Lord  what  to  do  in  it,  in  that  condition  I 
am  now  at  present:  God  knows,  I  lie  not,  for  there  is 
nothing  of  all  my  hardships  that  hath  Iain  and  doth  lie 
upon  me  like  this,  that  any  of  the  flock  of  God  should 
be  offended,  or  suffer  through  me;  therefore  I  have  not 
ceased  to  warn  (as  God  hath  opened  to  me)  such  as  I 
could  speak  to,  to  live  in  peace  and  love;  to  suffer,  but 
not  to  act  strife  and  violence,  and  have  denied  that 
spirit,  not  to  be  of  the  Lamb,  but  an  enemy  to  him, 
though  the  creature  m*ay  not  know  it,  but  may  think  it  is 
doing  God  service;  it  being  got  above  the  suffering  seed 
in  themselves,  would  scatter  and  devour  it  in  others: 
and  this  spirit  the  Lord  hath  shewed  me,  and  its  end, 
and  hath  redeemed  me  from  it  by  the  spirit  of  the  lamb; 
and  I  shall  never  join,  as  head  or  tail,  therewith;  but 
shall  earnestly  pray  to  the  Father,  that  a  deep  search 
of  truth  may  seriously  pass  through  the  hearts  and  reins 
of  all  contenders,  that  all  that  are  guilty  herein  may 
speedily  come  to  repentance,  least  they  be  hardened 
therein,  and  there  come  a  time  when  they  would  give 
whatever  is  dear  to  them  for  one  hour's  society  with  the 
people  of  God,  and  cannot  obtain  it;  then  with  lamen- 
table woe  shall  the  wrath  of  that  be  known,  that  is  now 


(    xxiii  ) 


trampied  on,  without  the  true  fear  of  God,  or  life  of  his 
love:  and  having  at  length  received  this  favour  of  the 
Lord,  I  have  taken  this  time,  in  the  tender  bowels  of 
love  (as  one  wounded  therewith)  to  warn  you  hereof: 
beseeching  you  all,  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake, 
that  you  all  search  low  for  the  bowels  of  him  who  loved 
you,  and  suffered  for  you,  when  you  were  his  enemies, 
and  put  them  on  towards  all  men,  but  especially  towards 
one  another,  who  have  been  called  by  one  spirit  into 
one  truth;  that  so  the  holy  spirit  be  no  more  grieved, 
nor  satan  get  any  more  advantage;  whose  work  it  is  to 
sow  dissention,  even  among  brethren. 

And  the  Lord  God  of  Love  give  us  all  to  see,  that 
whatever  our  gifts  or  powers  be,  yet  if  we  have  not  the 
life  and  power  of  love,  it  avails  not  with  God,  though 
men  may  esteem  of  us  never  so  high:  for  only  he  that 
dwells  in  love,  knows  God,  and  lives  in  him;  the  rest 
know  not  what  spirit  they  are  of.  And  this  I  feelingly 
declare,  from  that  dear  love  of  God  in  me,  begotten  to 
all  his  people;  whereby  I  am  so  far  from  taking  delight 
in  troubling  the  people  of  God, that  their  growth  in  peace 
and  truth,  upon  the  foundation  laid  already,  was  never 
so  much  desired;  and  my  love  to  them  is  daily  increas- 
ed, beyond  what  I  can  here  express,  yet  the  Lord  knows 
it,  and  whence  it  is,  whether  it  be  received  by  men  or 
no;  yet  the  seed  shall  feel  it  [in  God's  time]  to  which 
it  is, and  in  whose  peace  only  1  have  peace;  and  I  hope, 
in  the  power  of  that  love,  God  will  so  strengthen  me, 
that  nothing  of  shame,  loss,  or  reproach,  shall  ever  be 
too  hard  to  take  up  for  the  advancement  thereof,  as 
God  shall  shew  and  lead  me  therein,  without  whom  I 
dare  do  nothing,  lest  I  deny  his  work,  or  confound  it 
with  my  own. 

And  concerning  you,  the  tender  plants  of  my  Father, 
who  have  suffered  through  me,  or  with  me,  in  what  the 
Lord  hath  suffered  to  be  done  with  me,  in  this  time  of 
great  trial  and  temptation;  the  Almighty  God  of  Love, 
who  hath  numbered  every  sigh,  and  put  every  tear  in 
his  bottle,  reward  it  a  thousand  fold  into  your  bosoms, 
in  the  day  of  your  need,  when  you  shall  come  to  be  tried 
and  tempted;  and  in  the  mean  time  fulfil  yo4ir  joy  with 


(    xxiv  ) 

his  love,  which  yon  seek  after.  The  Lord  knows,  it  was 
never  in  my  heart  to  cause  you  to  mourn,  whose  suffer- 
ings is  my  greatest  sorrow  that  ever  yet  came  upon  me, 
for  you  are  innocent  herein:  hut  the  envious  one  hath 
taken  his  advantage,  which  the  Lord  will  turn  to  his 
disadvantage,  and  utter  ruin  in  many  souls;  and  in  this 
believing  is  all  my  rest,  in  my  great  trouble  of  heart, 
concerning  you  or  myself;  and  in  patience  I  wait  to  sec 
It,  when  the  man  of  sin  hath  had  his  time,  to  be 
revealed.  For  I  have  seen  the  good  hand  of  God 
working  in  it;  whose  end  is  good  to  all  that  love  him, 
else  had  I  been  destroyed  ere  this,  such  hath  been  the 
violence  of  the  enemy  of  my  soiil:  but  he  hath  number- 
ed my  hairs,  and  not  left  me  in  the  fire  or  water;  when 
none  else  were  with  me,  thou  wast  my  comforter.  O 
that  I  may  never  hide  thy  praise,  by  covering  my  sin  or 
shame!  God  forbid. 

By  a  vi'ay  unexpected  did  the  Lord  open  a  way  to  de- 
clare ihcte  words,  all  other  means  of  writing  being  ta- 
ken from  me.  Blessed  be  he,  on  whom  I  wait  further  to 
see  his  will,  that  1  may  do  or  suffer  it. 

The  presence  and  peace  of  the  Almighty  comfort  his 
people,  whom  I  salute  in  the  bowels  of  love. 

James  Nayler. 

I  beseech  you,  all  that  can,  to  receive  it,  even  as  you 
would  be  received  of  the  Lord  ;  and  for  the  rest,  the  Lord 
give  me  patience  to  suffer,  till  the  Lord  make  up  the 
breach. 


TO  ALL  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THE  LORD,  EVERY  WHERE 
GATHERED  OR  SCATTERED. 

In  the  fear  of  God,  and  love  to  his  truth,  and  people, 
do  I  declare,  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  what  hath  long 
oppressed  my  soul,  concerning  those  unclean  spirits 
gone  out  from  the  unity  of  truth  and  light,  by  which  we 
have  been  called,  and  gathered  into  one  in  Christ  Jesus, 
the  head  over  all  his,  blessed  forever;  whose  name  hath 
been  greatly  dishonoured  through  many  wild  actings, 
and  his  innocent  spirit  grieved,  and  many  simple  souls 


C     XXV  ) 


deceived;  many  oppressed,  and  many  offended  against 
the  truth,  because  of  those  spirits  gone  out  from  the 
truth,  and  now  secretly,  under  a  pretence,  seek  daily  to 
make  it  odious  unto  all.  [For  which  work  my  soul 
hath  been  much  troubled :]  Who  to  this  day  raven  about 
from  place  to  place,  amongst  the  people  of  God,  seek- 
ing to  enter  where  they  can  ;  and  so  to  strengthen  them- 
selves into  parties,  to  trouble  such  as  they  cannot  enter, 
seeking  to  spoil  the  peaceable  pasture  of  the  lambs,  that 
they  should  not  feed  in  peace:  and  for  that  end,  hunt  af- 
ter the  meetings  of  the  people  of  God.  All  which  prac- 
tices and  pretences,  I  deny  in  my  soul,  and  the  spirit  that"^ 
acts  therein. 

And  the  more  it  lies  upon  me  from  the  Lord,  to  warn 
the  simple  innocent  ones  of  his  thereof  openly,  in  that 
th  rough  me  these  spirits  have  got  much  head  and  en- 
trance, into  the  minds  of  some  who  were  simple  towards 
God's  truth:  and  this  the  envious  one  hath  done,  in  the 
night  of  my  trial,  and  hour  of  darkness  and  temptation, 
taking  advantage  at  my  sufferings,  in  the  day  when  my 
judgment  was  taken  away,  and  I  led  captive  under  the 
power  oT  darkness,  which  all  along  hath  sought  my  life, 
had  not  the  Father  hid  it,  and  with  his  hand  upon  me, 
stayed  me  in  those  great  temptations;  to  whom  alone  I 
give  the  glory  of  my  deliverance  from  that  great  des- 
truction, as  his  promise  was^to_jTie_  before  I  came  into 
that  trial;  who  hath  now  brought  me  up  again,  and 
hath  given  me  to  see  those  evil  spirits,  and  that  the 
work  of  the  murderer  and  devourer  is  therein,  against 
the  life  of  God  in  his  Temple:  which,  though  they  seek 
entrance  under  pretence  of  humility,  promising  some 
great  things,  and  more  holiness  in  that  way,  to  steal 
into  simple  minds;  but  being  got  in,  exalt  themselves 
above  the  seed  of  God,  and  trample  the  meek  spirit  un- 
der foot,  and  so  darken  the  vessels,  and  being  exalted  in 
the  imaginations,  lead  the  creature,  [as  God]  above 
that  of  God,  and  so  against  that  of  God  he  wars  in 
others,  where  God  is  above. 

And  this  mystery  of  deep  iniquity  hath  the  Lord^ 
God  in  the  spirit  of  the  Lamb  revealed  unto  me.  whose 
powerful  working  I  have  found,  working   in   me  a- 

4 


(    xxvi  ) 


gainst  the  pure  measure  and  unspotted  life  of  God 
And  though  in  the  simplicity  of  (/hrist  Jesus,  had  given 
up  my  body  all  along,  a  free  offering  to  the  will  of  God, 
in  life  or  in  death,  for  the  seeds  sake,  yet  ungathered  in 
the  world ;  [as  God  knoweth  I  lie  not]  yet  could  I  often 
feel  that  exalted  one  above,  secretly  tempting  to  envy 
against  the  people  of  God  already  gathered,  pretending 
a  greater  thing  to  come  another  way;  but  this,  with  the 
life  of  God  was  ever  judged;  though  often  I  was  buffe- 
ted therev/ith,  sometimes  so  strongly  as  to  force  words 
from  me,  above  the  meek  and  lowly  principle;  all  which 
words  were  soon  judged,  with  the  sufferer  which  lay 
under,  and  with  his  life  be  they  condemned  for  ever. 

And  this  lies  upon  me  to  declare  openly,  which  God 
hath  revealed  to  me,  for  the  sake  of  the  simple  ones,  who 
may  be  deceived  therewith,  but  would  not,  did  they  know 
his  subtility:  and  by  this  shall  you  all  perceive  that 
spirit  whatever  it  pretends,  it  will  secretly  withdraw 
your  entire  love  from  the  flock  of  God  already  gathered, 
and  cool  your  affections  and  zeal  towards  their  present 
meetings,  and  if  you  judge  it  not  there,  it  will  grow  on 
with  an  evil  eye,  to  spy  out  their  failings,  and  delight 
to  hear  of  them,  and  talk  of  them  with  a  hidden  joy 
whispering  them  to  others,  and  adding  thereunto,  with 
a  desire  to  see  them  broken,  and  their  nakedness  laid 
open,  if  any  thing  be  amiss:  and  thus  it  hath  wrought 
in  a  mystery  of  wickedness  in  some  unjudged,  until  it 
be  seated  in  the  throne  of  open  enmity  and  strife  against 
the  Iambs  of  Christ,  preferring  the  society  of  the  pro- 
fane before  them,  and  taking  part  therewith  against 
them,  joining  with  any  who  seek  to  scatter  them.  And 
whatever  pretence  this  spirit  seeks  to  cover  itself  with, 
this  I  declare  of  it  [having  been  kept  by  the  good  hand 
of  God,  to  see  it  revealed  in  its  ground  and  end]  that 
it  is  tlie  old  spirit  of  the  Ranters^  which  now  in  a  new 
way  makes  head  against  the  light  of  Christ,  and  life  of 
his  cross;  which  is  the  only  thing  that  stands  in  its  way, 
by  condemning  its  filthiness  in  every  conscience:  and  so 
they  in  whom  this  is  entered,  being  exalted  above 
the  living  witness  in  themselves,  would  devour  it  in 
others. 


(    xxvii  ) 


And  this  in  the  presence  and  fear  of  God  I  declare, 
without  the  least  prejudice  against  the  person  of  any 
man  or  woman;  but  in  obedience  to  God,  and  for  the 
seeds  sake,  l^st  any  more  of  the  simple  should  be  de- 
ceived, and  that  such  as  are  deceived  already,  might 
recover  themselves  out  of  saian's  snares;  no  selfish  end 
have  I  in  it,  God  knoweth.  And  long  time  hath  my  soul 
been  in  travail,  ere  I  could  obtain  power  herein,  so 
strongly  hath  he  that  letteth  withstood  my  way. 

Theretbre  in  the  bowels  of  tender  love,  I  warn  you 
all,  to  take  heed  how  you  ever  come  under  that  spirit 
under  any  pretence  whatsoever;  but  let  the  fear  of  God, 
and  sound  judgment  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  preserve 
you  all  above  it;  for  wheresoever  it  enters  by  consent, 
it  is  hardly  got  out  again;  and  if  it  be,  il  is  not  without 
much  sorrow:  and  this  I  have  found  in  the  depth,  which 
for  your  sakes  I  declare  in  plainness  and  truth,  as  I  have 
learned  of  the  Lord,  labouring  with  him  without  ceas- 
ing, that  the  rest  of  the  people  of  God  every  where  may 
be  saved  from  this  devourer,  who  goeth  daily  about  to 
deceive,  and  whosoever  he  takes,  he  casts  into  the 
earth  or  into  the  seS;  for  wickedness  is  with  him  vi^here- 
soever  he  goeth. 

Even  the  Lord  God  Almighty  arm  you  all  against 
his  wiles,  being  warned  thereof  in  his  love,  and  the  eter- 
nal power  of  holiness  preserve  you  all  clean  to  himself, 
who  are  dearer  unto  me  than  ever,  and  that  in  no  other 
thing,  but  in  that  innocent  principle  in  which  you  are 
kept  free  from  all  the  pollutions  of  the  world,  and  flesh- 
ly liberty,  and  stand  witnesses  for  God  against  it,  before 
all  men,  and  in  no  other  thing  have  I  fellowship  with 
any,  which  is  that  I  seek  to  set  up  above  all. 

And  this  was  I  moved  to  give  forth,  to  go  every  wdiere, 
as  a  witness  against  that  unclean  spirit  wherever  it  goes, 
feeling  its  work  is  to  run  to  and  fro  to  deceive;  that  all 
may  be  warned  by  what  I  have  learned  in  sufferings, 
and  that  they  that  will  not  may  be  left  without  exxuse. 

James  Nayler. 

Written  in  BridewelL  about  the  beginning  of  1658. 


(    xxvhi  ) 


A  TESTI3I0NY  TO  CHRIST  JESUS,  DELIVERED  TO  THE  PARLIAMENT, 
WHO  PERSECUTED  HIM    AS  A  BLASPHEMER:  WRITTEN 
IN  THE  TIME  OF  HIS  IMPRISONMENT 
IN  BRIDEWELL. 

Christ  Jesus,  the  Immanuel,  [of  whose  sufferings  the 
scriptures  declare]  him  alone  I  confess  before  ntien;  for 
whose  sake  I  have  denied  whatever  was  dear  to  me  in 
this  world,  that  I  might  win  him,  and  be  found  in  him, 
and  not  in  myself,  whose  life  and  virtue  I  find  daily- 
manifest  in  ray  mortal  body,  [which  is  ray  eternal  joy 
and  hope  of  glory]  whom  alone  I  seek  to  serve  in  spirit, 
soul  and  body,  night  and  day,  [according  to  the  measure 
of  grace  working  in  me]  that  in  me  he  may  be  glorified, 
whetiier  by  life  or  death;  and  for  his  sake  I  suffer  all 
things,  that  he  alone  may  have  the  glory  of  my  change, 
whose  work  alone  it  is  in  me:  even  to  that  eternal 
spirit  be  glory,  and  to  the  lamb  for  ever. 

But  to  ascribe  this  name,  power  and  virtue  to  James 
JVayier^  [or  to  that  which  had  a  beginning,  and  must 
return  to  dust]  or  for  that  to  be  exalted  or  worshipped, 
to  me  is  great  idolatry,  and  with  the  spirit  of  Christ 
Jesus  in  me  it  is  condemned ;  which  spirit  leads  to  low- 
liness, meekness  and  long  suffering. 

So  having  an  opportunity  given  [with  readiness]  I  am 
willing  in  the  fear  of  God  the  Father,  [in  honour  to 
Christ  Jesus,  and  to  take  off  all  offences  from  every  sim- 
ple heart]  this  to  declare  to  all  the  world,  as  the  truth 
of  Christ  is  in  me,  without  guile  or  deceit,  daily  finding 
it  to  be  my  work  to  seek  peace  in  truth  with  all  men  in 
that  spirit.  James  Nayler. 


HIS  CONFESSIONS  AND  ANSWER  TO  SOME  PARTICULARS,  PRINTED   1 65^. 

Having  heard  that  some  have  wrong-ed  my  words,  vehich  I  spoke  before 
the  Committee  of  Parliament,  concerning  Jesus  Christ,  and  concerning 
the  Old  and  New  Testament,  some  have  printed  words  which  I  spoke 
not:  also  some  have  printed  a  paper,  and  call  it  James  Nayler's  Recan- 
tation, unknown  to  me:  to  all  which  things  I  shall  speak  a  few  words, 
which  may  satisfy  such  as  love  the  truth,  and  that  he  who  is  out  of  the 
truth  may  proceed  no  further. 

Concerning  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  Christ  and  no 
Other,  of  whom  the  scriptures  testify,  who  is  the  light 


(    xxix  ) 


of  the  world,  and  redeemer  of  lost  man,  from  under  the 
power  of  darkness,  known  of  old  by  the  name  Imman- 
uel;  that  eternal  spirit  of  truth  is  the  same  to  whom  I 
confess  all  power,  glory,  honour  and  worship,  in  Heaven 
and  in  earth:  and  wherein-soever  this  earthly  vessel,  or 
any  thing  therein  hath  been  set  up  in  the  minds  of  any, 
to  diminish  the  glory  of  that  invisible  power,  or  to  draw 
any  one  from  the  measure  of  the  same  spirit  in  them- 
selves, or  to  offend  the  least  measure  of  that  pure  and 
tender  spirit  in  any  of  his  people,  all  that  I  condemn  and 
deny  as  a  thing  never  intended  by  me;  but  is  the  work 
of  the  adversary,  who  seeks  all  occasions  against  the 
truth  of  God.  to  devour  them  in  whom  it  is  begotten; 
who  took  his  advantage  in  the  time  of  my  trial  and  suf- 
ferings, to  stir  up  enmity  and  despite  against  the  spirit  of 
truth,  and  with  all  his  power  sought  to  dishonour  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  which  I  have  denied 
all  that  I  loved  in  this  world ;  which  name  stands  in  the 
power  and  nature  of  that  eternal  spirit,  and  to  the  pow- 
er the  name  is  given  (and  not  to  James  Nayler)  as  Christ 
himself  said,  John  14.  26.  and  in  the  eternal  seed  is  the 
son-ship,  and  the  Lamb  is  he  that  bears  all  things. 

And  concerning  his  sufferings  at  Jerusalem,  1  have 
believed  them  from  a  child,  according  to  the  Scriptures, 
and  I  can  truly  say,  I  was  never  of  any  faith  contrary; 
and  much  more  I  am  confirmed  therein  daily,  having 
found  the  effect  and  power  of  that  suffering  spirit  to  be 
all  my  strength  in  all  my  tribulations,  who  in  all  our  af- 
flictions hath  been  afflicted,  which  whosoever  abides  in, 
seeks  no  revenge,  their  reward  being  present  with  them; 
which  power  and  spirit  whosoever  feels  in  the  deep, 
cannot  call  Jesus  accursed,  nor  undervalue  his  suffer- 
ings, neither  can  any  say,  in  truth,  that  he  is  Lord,  but 
thereby. 

And  concerning  the  Old  and  New  Testament  being 
the  word,  the  Old  is  that  which  was  dedicated  with  the 
blood  of  calves  and  goats,  enjoined  for  its  time,  and  dis- 
annulled for  the  weakness  and  unprofitableness  thereof, 
because  it  could  not  make  perfect,  Heb.  7.  18,  19.  and  9. 
18,  19,  20.  But  the  word  of  God  is  not  disannulled, 
unprofitable  nor  imperfect,  but  quick  and  powerful,  liv- 
ing and  abiding  for  ever,  Heb.  4. 12. 


(     XXX  ) 


And  the  New  Testament  I  own,  which  is  in  the  blood 
of  Christ,  Luke  22.  20.  And  the  apostle  saith,  God 
hath  made  us  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament,  not 
of  the  letter,  but  of  the  spirit,  2  Cor.  3.  6.  And  these 
were  ministers  of  the  word,  who  said,  they  were  not 
ministers  of  the  letter,  which  word  was  in  them,  and 
spiritual,  and  they  knew  his  voice,  that  liveth  for  ever, 
Rom  10.  6,  7,  8. 

So  the  Scriptures  I  own  which  declare  of  these  things, 
and  the  word  I  own  which  was  before  these  things  were 
written;  but  my  life  stands  in  that  which  quickneth,  liv- 
eth, and  abideth  forever;  and  he  is  the  word  which  by 
the  gospel  is  preached,  and  they  that  have  him  can  be- 
lieve what  is  written  of  him,  John  1.  1  Pet.  2.  23,  24,  25. 
Rev.  19.  13. 

And  as  touching  the  printing  of  that  paper,  called 
J.  N's  Recantation,  it  was  not  done  by  me,  nor  with  my 
knowledge  in  the  least,  nor  do  I  yet  at  all  know  the  man 
that  hath  done  it;  but  out  of  the  truth  and  against  the 
truth  he  hath  done  it,  and  for  evil  towards  me  who- 
ever it  was;  the  Lord  God  of  my  life,  who  hath  kept 
me  alive  in  all  distress,  turn  it  for  good  and  forgive  the 
evil;  And  though  he  that  hath  done  it  hath  not  done  it 
in  truth,  nor  love  to  it,  yet  what  of  truth  there  is  in  the 
paper  I  shall  own,  as  stands  on  truths  behalf;  for  thus 
it  was,  that  after  I  was  put  into  the  hole  at  Bridewell,  I 
heard  of  many  wild  actions  done  by  a  sort  of  people 
who  pretended  that  they  owned  me,  and  these  were  ear- 
nestly stirred  up  at  that  day,  with  much  violence,  and 
many  unseemly  actions,  to  go  into  the  meetings  of  the 
people  of  the  Lord  called  Quakers,  on  purpose  to  hinder 
their  peaceable  meetings,  and  yet  would  take  that  holy 
and  pure  name  of  God,  and  Christ,  frequently  into  their 
mouth,  whereby  the  name  of  Lord  was  much  dishonour- 
ed, and  his  pure  spirit  grieved,  and  much  disorder  they 
caused  in  many  places  of  the  nation,  to  the  dishonour  of 
Christ  Jesus,  for  which  I  felt  wrath  from  God ;  which 
when  I  understood  that  they  had  any  strength  through 
me,  I  used  all  means  I  could  to  declare  against  that  evil 
spirit,  which  under  the  name  of  God  and  Christ,  was 
against  God  and  Christ,  his  truth  and  people ;  and  some- 


(    xxxi  ) 


thing  I  did  give  forth  about  a  year  and  a  half  since  in 
denial  of  these  spirits,  which  it  seems  to  me,  he  that 
hath  done  this  hath  got  a  sight  of,*  and  hath  added  to 
it  the  thoughts  of  his  own  heart,  and  so  hath  brought  out 
this  darkness,  that  people  know  not  what  to  make  of  it. 

Therefore,  so  far  as  it  testifies  against  those  unclean 
ranting  spirits,  and  all  the  actions  wherein  the  holy  name 
of  God  hath  been  dishonoured,  and  his  spirit  grieved,  so 
far  I  own  it;  but  in  that  it  is  turned  as  though  I  denied 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  truth  which  hath  called 
me  out  of  the  world,  or  his  people  whom  he  hath  called 
into  light,  in  that  I  own  it  not;  for  in  the  patience  and 
tribulation  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  with  those  who  have 
the  power  this  day  to  testify  therein,  against  all  the  evils 
of  this  present  world,  I  am  one  in  heart  and  soul  to  the 
utmost  of  my  strength,  till  the  coming  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
over  all,  and  the  throne  of  meekness,  and  truth  be  set 
on  the  top  of  all  enmity  and  deceit,  in  which  faith  and 
power  I  am  given  up  to  live  or  die,  suffer  or  rejoice,  as 
God  will,  even  so  be  it,  without  murmuring. 

James  Nayler. 


TO  THE  LIFE  OF  GOD  IN  ALL. 

The  love  of  that  precious  life  of  Christ  Jesus  in  me, 
constrains  me,  as  the  light  thereof  arises  to  declare  to 
all  people,  and  to  generations  to  come,  how  that  inno- 
cent, just,  and  holy  life  came  to  suffer  in  me,  and  be  be- 
trayed, and  I  to  lose  the  light  thereof,  so  far  as  to  be 
taken  captive  again  under  the  power  of  darkness,  sin 
and  death,  from  which,  that  life  had  once  set  me  free, 
and  borne  me  iu  it  self  for  some  years,  above  all  the 
craft,  subtility  and  power  of  satan,that  old  deceiver  and 
tempter  of  mankind,  who  ceaseth  not  to  take  every  occa- 
sion that  pure  life  to  devour,  and  so  to  take  the  creature 
captive  again,  who  with  that  precious  life  hath  once  been 
ransomed,  as  once  1  had  been  by  the  living  virtue  there- 
of; for  out  of  kindreds  and  estate,  and  all  visible  rela- 
tions had  he  once  called  me,  and  set  me  free,  and  had 


That  to  aU  the  people  of  the  Lord,  aforesaid. 


(    xxxii  ) 


broken  all  my  bonds  as  to  all  earthly  things,  which  were 
stx-ong  and  many,  and  redeemed  me  from  all  my  sins  past, 
and  with  his  precious  blood  had  he  sprinkled  my  con- 
science before  God,  as  though  I  had  never  sinned  in  his 
sight,  anointing  me  with  the  oil  of  deliverance  and  peace 
towards  God  and  man ;  and  sent  me  forth  in  the  same 
bowels  to  call  lost  and  strayed  souls  to  the  same  ever- 
lasting light,  therein  to  wait  for  the  appearance  of  the 
same  purifying  life  and  power  in  themselves,  therewith 
to  be  gathered  to  the  pure  God,  to  whom  the  children  of 
darkness  and  wicked  workers  cannot  come,  till  with  the 
word  of  life  they  be  cleansed  and  made  new  after  him- 
self, in  whom  is  no  iniquity. 

And  in  this  his  work,  by  him  I  was  preserved  against 
all  enmity,  born^in  all  afflictions,  and  fed  above  all  wants 
within  and  without,  though  sent  into  a  strange  country 
without  money,  bag  or  scrip,  and  among  a  strange  peo- 
ple that  knew  net  God,  in  the  north  parts  of  this  English 
nation ;  and  I  may  truly  say,  as  a  sheep  among  wolves  I 
was  wherever  I  came ;  yet  had  none  power  to  touch 
me  further  than  what  should  make  for  his  glory  in  whom 
I  lived,  and  the  advantage  of  that  work  I  was  about, 
which  he  daily  turned  to  my  exceeding  joy  and  great 
reward;  and  his  living  presence  did  ever  furnish  me 
with  renewed  strength  against  all  contrary  spirits,  and 
the  power  thereof,  and  in  him  I  had  judgment  and  power 
over  them,  wherever  they  withstood  his  pure  work. 

And  in  this  same  life  and  dominion  did  he  bring  me  up 
into  this  great  city  London,  into  which  I  entered  with 
the  greatest  fear  that  ever  into  any  place  I  came,  in 
spirit  foreseeing  somewhat  to  befal  me  therein,  but  not 
knowing  what  it  might  be;  yet  had  I  the  same  presence 
and  power  as  before;  into  what  place  or  service  soever 
I  was  led  of  the  spirit,  in  that  life  I  never  returned  with- 
out victory  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  Lord  thereof. 

But  not  minding  in  all  things  to  stand  single  and  low 
to  the  motions  of  that  endless  life,  by  it  to  be  led  in  all 
things,  within  and  without;  but  giving  way  to  the  rea- 
soning part,  as  to  some  things  which  in  themselves  had 
no  seeming  evil,  by  little  and  little  drew  out  my  mind 
after  trifles,  vanities,  and  persons  which  took  the  atfec- 


(  xxxiii  ) 


Tionate  part,  by  which  my  mind  was  drawn  from  the 
constant  watch,  and  pure  fear,  into  which  I  was  once 
begotten,  and  spiritual  adultery  was  committed  against 
that  precious  pure  life  which  had  purchased  me  unto 
himself  alone,  and  is  grieved  with  the  least  departure 
from  him  in  body,  spirit  or  mind,  even  that  eternal,  pure 
and  zealous  spirit  from  above,  had  drawn  me  near  into 
himself,  and  that  pure  word  was  become  ray  life,  who 
said,  ''he  that  doth  but  look  upon  a  woman  to  lust,  com- 
mits adultery and  in  whose  sight  the  least  coveting,  or 
letting  any  visible  object  into  the  affections  is  idolatry: 
into  that  life  I  was  comprehended,  and  the  apple  of  that 
pure  eye  was  opened  in  me,  which  admits  not  of  an  evil 
thought;  but  is  wounded  and  bruised  with  the  least  ap- 
pearance of  evil,  even  this  birth  was  born  which  reigns 
through  righteousness,  and  suffers  till  all  righteousness 
be  fulfilled  in  every  particular.  And  this  is  the  Son  of 
God  for  ever,  and  into  this  life  and  kingdom  I  was  trans- 
lated ;  and  1  was  in  him  that  is  true,  in  whom  there  is  no 
sin;  and  he  alone  lived  and  ruled  in  this  his  temple, 
wdiich  to  himself  he  had  purchased  with  his  precious 
blood,  and  his  delight  was  in  me,  and  his  presence  was 
glorious,  and  not  the  least  evil  could  appear,  but  I  could 
feel  him  in  spirit  lifting  up  his  witness  against  it. 

But  when  I  reasoned  against  his  tender  reproof,  and 
consulted  with  another,  and  so  let  the  creatures  into  my 
affections,  then  his  temple  was  defiled  through  lust,  and 
his  pure  spirit  was  grieved,  and  he  ceased  to  reprove, 
and  he  gave  me  up,  and  his  light  he  withdrew  and  his 
judgment  took  away;  and  so  the  body  of  death  and  sin 
revived  again,  and  I  possessed  afresh  the  iniquities  of 
my  youth, and  that  which  had  of  old  been  buried,  arose 
and  stood  against  me,  and  so  the  temple  was  filled  with 
darkness  and  the  power  of  death,  and  my  heart  with 
sorrow,  and  satan  daily  at  my  right  hand  to  tempt  me 
further  to  provoke  the  Lord,  and  to  take  away  my  life. 

Thus  having  in  a  great  measure  lost  my  own  guide, 
and  darkness  being  come  upon  me,  I  sought  a  place 
where  1  might  have  been  alone,  to  weep  and  cry  before 
the  Lord,  that  his  face  I  might  find,  and  my  condiuoli 
recover:  but  then  my  adversary  who  had  long^  waited 

5 


(    XXXIV  ) 


his  opportunity,  had  got  in,  and  bestirred  himself  every 
way,  so  that  1  could  not  be  hid,  and  divers  messages 
came  to  me  in  that  case,  some  true,  some  false,  (as  I 
have  seen  since)  so  I  knowing  some  to  be  true,  to  wit, 
how  I  had  lost  my  condition,  with  this  I  let  in  the  false 
message  too;  and  so  letting  go  that  little  of  the  true 
light  which  I  had  yet  remaining  in  my  self,  I  gave  up  my 
life  wholly  to  be  led  by  others,  whose  work  was  then 
wholly  to  divide  me  from  the  children  of  light;  which 
was  done,  though  much  was  done  by  dvers  of  them  to 
prevent  it,  and  in  bowels  of  tender  love  many  laboured 
to  have  stayed  me  with  them.  And  after  I  was  led  out 
from  tiiem,  the  Lord  God  of  my  life  sent  divers  of  his 
i:ervants  with  his  word  after  me,  for  my  return  rail  which 
was  rejected;  yea,  the  provocations  of  that  time  of 
temptation  was  exceeding  great  against  the  pure  love 
of  God, yet  he  left  me  not;  for  after  I  had  given  myself 
under  that  power,  and  darkness  was  above,  my  adver- 
sary so  prevailed,  that  all  things  were  turned  and  per- 
verted against  my  right  seeing,  hearing  or  understanding, 
only  a  secret  hope  and  faith  1  had  in  my  God,  whom  I 
had  served,  that  he  would  bring  me  through  it,  and  to 
the  end  of  it;  and  that  I  should  again  see  the  day  of 
my  redemption  from  under  it  all:  and  this  quieted  my 
soul  in  my  greatest  tribulation. 

'^iliTis  was  I  led  out  from  amongst  the  children  of  light 
and  mto  the  world,  to  be  a  sign,  where  I  was  chased  as 
a  wandering  bird  gone  from  her  nest,  so  was  my  soul 
daily,  and  my  body  from  one  prison  to  another,  till  at 
length  1  was  brought  in  their  own  way  before  a  backsli- 
ding power  to  be  judged,  who  had  lost  their  first  love,  as 
I  had  done;  so  they  sentenced  me,  but  could  not  see 
their  sign,  and  a  sign  to  the  nation,  and  a  sign  to  the 
world  of  the  dreadful  day  of  the  just  God,  who  is  come 
and  coming  to  avenge  for  that  pure  life,  where  it  is  trans- 
gressed, and  to  plead  the  cause  of  that  precious  seed 
wherever  it  is  oppressed  and  suffers  under  the  fleshy  lusts 
of  this  present  world,  and  the  cup  is  deep  and  very 
dreadful  that  is  seen  and  fdling,  and  it  hath  begun  at 
Cod's  house,  but  many  must  drink  it,  except  there  be 
speec^y  repentance. 


(     XXXV  ) 


And  in  this  time  of  my  darkness  and  night  of  great 
temptations  (which  darkness  I  had  let  up  over  my  head, 
and  m,v  judgment  being  much  lost)  there  got  up  many 
wild  spirits,  ranters  and  sucii  like,  acting  many  evil 
things  against  the  life  of  truth  and  name  of  Christ,  his 
light  and  people  that  walk  therein,  on  purpose  to  bring 
reproach  thereon,  and  set  themselves  to  break  ai>d  dis- 
quiet the  meetings  of  the  people  of  God,  and  made  use 
of  my  name  therein,  and  others  rejoiced  thereat,  and 
cried,  '"thus  would  we  have  it,  they  are  divided  among 
themselves;  this  is  that  we  looked  for,  &c."  Others 
came  to  me  in  that  time  in  true  pity,  and  in  sorrow  of 
heart  suffered  with  me  for  all  that  was  befallen  me,  and 
that  precious  truth  I  had  walked  in. 

Thus  became  I  an  occasion  to  make  sad  the  innocent 
and  harmless  people,  whose  hearts  were  tender,  and  to 
make  glad  the  man  that  delights  in  mischief,  and  such  as 
rejoice  in  iniquity,  and  to  gratify  many  unclean  spirits: 
which  things  the  pure  God  hates,  and  my  soul  hates,- 
and  all  that  name  that  God  had  formerly  given  me  in 
his  house,  and  that  power,  the  \^  icked  one  made  use 
on  against  the  Lord,  and  his  lambs,  and  his  truth,  where- 
in I  had  received  that  name  and  power.  Thus  I  abused 
my  power  and  knew  not,  by  coming  under  him  who 
seeks  to  pervert  the  right  ways  of  God,  and  his  truth 
to  turn  into  a  lie,  wherever  he  gets  above,  whom  the 
Lord  had  once  trodden  under  my  feet  and  all  his  instru- 
ments. And  over  the  head  of  all  this  was  I  kept  by  his 
power,  while  singly  I  stood  in  his  pure  counsel,  and  hum- 
bly walked  in  his  daily  fear:  the  loss  whereof  was  of 
myself.     And  this  to  his  eternal  glory  I  confess  for  ever. 

So  to  that  precious  life  of  Christ  Jesus  1  confess  open- 
ly, which  I  have  openly  sinned  against,  which  life  is  the 
light  of  the  world,  and  all  the  good  that  is  in  man  is 
from  the  virtue  thereof;  which  whosoever  goes  from  to 
feed  elsewhere,  forsakes  their  own  mercies,  and  to  this 
must  return,  and  confess  again,  if  ever  they  come  to  true 
peace  in  God: for  this  is  the  peacemaker  and  the  Christ 
of  God,  and  the  lamb  that  takes  away  sin.  and  recon- 
ciles to  the  father  of  spirits,  and  that  spirit  that  quick- 
ens the  dead,  of  whom  I  testify  for  ever,  and  him  I  con- 


(   xxxvi  ) 


less  in  the  night  and  in  the  day  before  God  and  before 
men,  who  under  all  hath  been  my  help  and  Saviour,  im- 
mortal praises  for  ever. 

And  he  that  hath  this  precious  life  hath  the  son  of 
the  eternal  God  and  eternal  life;  and  with  all  that  re- 
ceive him  as  king  and  leader,  with  such  the  father  is 
well  pleased,  because  he  alone  it  is  that  leads  in  all  holy 
ways,  and  out  of  all  show  of  lust  and  uncleanness,  and 
teaches  to  avoid  every  appearance  of  evil  within  and 
without;  therefore  the  pure  God  loves  him  above  all  in 
Heaven  and  earth,  and  hath  placed  his  fulness  in  him, 
from  whom  the  living  of  all  ages  are  to  be  fed,  and 
whatever  good  gift  any  creature  receives  from  God  the 
father,  it  is  in  this  pure  life  and  for  the  sake  of  this  un- 
spotted seed;  and  that  he  alone  (that  spirit)  may  be 
exalted  in  all  and  above  all,  not  flesh  which  is  grass, 
whose  glory  turns  into  dust.  If  this  life  withdraw  its 
virtue,  then  all  his  wisdom  is  shame  and  folly,  who  goes 
out  from  this  light  and  counsel:  for  this  life  is  he,  which 
being  disobeyed  is  man's  fall ;  and  his  spirit  being  griev- 
ed, is  God's  wrath  upon  every  creature;  but  in  his  favour 
is  length  of  days  and  eternal  glory;  and  both  these  I 
have  learned  in  the  day  and  in  the  night:  so  I  give  all 
glory  to  the  life  for  evermore,  and  to  him  it  is  due,  and 
all  the  evil  hath  been  from  self. 

This  life  is  the  root  and  offspring  of  all  heavenly  fruit 
upon  earth,  and  in  whom  this  is  planted,  as  it  grows  it 
will  bring  forth  truth  and  righteousness  towards  God 
and  man,  and  the  virtue  that  rises  with  it  will  fill  the 
creature  with  springs  of  eternal  life  and  heavenly  pow- 
er, it  will  cover  thee  with  health  of  salvation,  and  stay 
thee  with  immortal  strength ;  he  will  guide  thee  with 
counsel  of  life,  and  open  thy  mouth  in  that  wisdom 
which  none  shall  confound;  yea,  all  the  treasures  of 
wisdom  and  knowledge  are  in  Him,  and  the  richest 
excellency  that  ever  appeared  in  flesh  in  Him  is  sealed; 
for  all  generations  that  receive  Him  in  their  faith  and 
obedience,  and  as  he  arises  in  his  temples,  he  gives  forth 
of  his  riches,  gifts  to  adorn  his  habitation,  and  to  cover 
3t  with  his  light  and  glory. 


(  xxxvii  ) 


But  this  is  the  evil  in  his  sight,  and  that  which  pro- 
vokes his  pure  spirit,  that  vain  man,  in  whom  he  thus 
delights,  should  he  exalted  in  himself,  because  of  the 
gifts,  and  glory  in  his  strength  and  wisdom,  and  so 
grow  wanton  against  the  life  from  whence  he  hath  it; 
and  so  through  feeding  on  the  gifts,  ceases  to  walk 
humbly  with  the  giver  in  his  own  vessel.  Here  man  for- 
gets his  God,  and  so  withers  at  the  root,  and  be  the  tree 
never  so  great  it  will  fall  in  the  end,  and  great  will  be 
the  fall  thereof. 

And  this  is  that  God  against  whom  I  have  sinned,  and  y' 
iny  offence  I  confess  to  the  root  that  bore  me,  who  rai- 
seth  up  the  meek  and  lowly,  and  casteth  down  him  that 
boasteth  above  the  root,  who  doth  what  he  will  in  the 
heavens,  and  ruleth  in  the  kingdoms  of  men,  the  Lord  of 
hosts  is  his  name,  and  he  is  worthy;  yea,  and  will  be 
feared:  even  so  be  it  for  evermore. 

And  whatever  of  that  worship  or  honour  hath  any 
way  by  any  creature  been  given  or  received  to  my  per- 
son,  which  belongs  to  that  eternal  spirit,  for  ever  by  me 
it  is  denied  and  condemned  as  idolatry;  and  whatever 
creature  I  have  at  any  time  gone  out  to,  from  this  pure 
spirit,  and  let  into  my  affections,  or  whatever  I  have 
taken  counsel  of  without  this  life  and  against  it,  is  for 
ever  condemned  as  aduletry  in  my  heart,  and  so  I  have 
found  it  in  his  pure  sight,  to  whom  I  confess  for  my  God 
and  Saviour  in  all  my  troubles. 

In  whomsoever  this  pure  and  eternal  spirit  of  life 
throughout  the  world  hath  been  troubled  or  offended,  in 
man  or  woman,  through  my  fall,  or  the  advantage  which 
the  adversary  got  against  my  soul,  God's  truth  and  his- 
people,  to  that  in  all  I  acknowledge  my  offence.  Against 
thee  have  I  sinned  who  was  with  me  in  the  deep,  and  in 
so  many  tender  hearts  for  my  recovery  and  salvation, 
which  is  one  in  all,  for  ever  confessed  to,  and  the  occa> 
sion  of  the  grief  thereof  for  ever  condemned  in  the  pre- 
sence of  God,  his  host  and  people. 

But  against  him  that  sought  nay  life  in  that  day,  and 
rejoiced  at  that  occasion,  have  I  requited  no  evil  in  my 
heart,  neither  have  I  opened  my  mouth  before  the  Lord, 
that  the  evil  day  should  haste,  who  rejoiced  at  my  fall, 


(xxxviii ) 


and  was  glad  at  that  advantage,  to  pursue  my  soul  into 
the  pit,  that  I  might  never  have  seen  light  more,  nor 
have  appeared  in  the  assemblies  of  them  which  God 
hath  sanctified  on  the  earth:  but  in  the  bowels  of  Him 
that  hath  borne  me  through  all  adversity,  I  have  been 
kept  towards  them,  and  I  know  it  is  the  spirit  of  Christ 
Jesus  which  thinks  not  evil  for  evil.    And  when  all  visi- 
ble help  was  removed  afar  off,  and  I  in  the  depth  of  the 
pit,  then  this  was  with  me  and  in  me  before  God,  which 
often  appeared  when  all  else  was  gone,  and  many  a  time 
stayed  my  soul  in  secret,  that  it  sunk  not  under  the  ac- 
cuser; and  the  weight  of  his  temptations  when  I  was 
alone  from  any  creature.    And  now  seeing  that  the 
loving  kindness  of  the  Lord  hath  outlived  all  this  enmi- 
ty, and  the  long  suffering  of  Christ  Jesus  hath  borne  to 
the  end  thereof,  and  that  endless  life  hath  ministered 
freedom  for  me,  thereto  be  glory  and  praise  for  ever- 
more. 

And  to  God  the  Father  of  all  be  thanks  for  ever,  who 
is  begetting  his  creatures  into  that  one  pure  life,  and 
with  the  chords  thereof  hath  bound  up  as  in  one  bundle 
so  many  at  this  day,  who  in  his  living  spirit  and  power 
are  made  at  the  needful  time  to  stand  before  him,  with 
cries  and  prayers  one  for  another,  which  he  hath  heard 
and  doth  hear,  even  as  he  hath  begotten  thereto  in  every 
creature,  the  answer  whereof  mates  many  glad  at  this 
day,  praises  to  God  everlasting. 

And  to  the  glory  of  this  precious  life  is  this  sent 
forth,  that  all  that  have  sinned  against  him  may  have 
hope  in  him  and  return,  whose  judgments  are  right  and 
his  mercy  endures  for  ever,  and  that  all  who  have  made 
their  graves  deep  through  disobedience,  and  their  dark- 
ness thick  through  lust,  might  awake  and  confess  to  the 
Lord  of  life,  and  come  forth,  who  quickeneth  the  dead, 
at  his  word  the  blind  he  makes  to  see,  and  hath  cal- 
led to  the  great  deeps,  that  his  praises  may  live  for 
ever. 

And  that  all  you  in  whom  any  measure  of  this  pre- 
cious life  hath  been  betrayed,  either  through  this  or  any 
other  thing,  that  to  the  light  thereof  you  may  return  in 
yourselves,  and  there  wait  till  the  life  arise,  which  is 


(  xxxix  ) 


your  return,  and  which  must  give  you  rest  with  the  flock 
of  God;  for  it's  the  life  that's  the  door  and  the  fold, and 
without  it  you  will  be  but  wanderers,  and  lost  in  all  your 
thoughts  and  motions,  and  God  will  cross  you  and  curse 
you  for  its  sake,  and  plead  against  you  till  you  return, 
if  he  cast  you  not  off  for  often  rebellion,  from  which  the 
Lord  keep  you.  And  take  heed  of  evil  thoughts  to 
which  you  will  be  tempted,  you  that  are  gone  out  from 
the  true  light,  or  an  evil  eye  going  out  of  your  own 
hearts  against  the  truth  you  once  were  called  into,  or 
them  that  walk  in  it,  to  spy  faults  in  others  and  feed 
thereon;  this  food  will  but  strengthen  the  enmity  in  you 
against  you  and  your  return,  and  with  this  you  may  make 
bonds  which  you  cannot  break  when  you  would,  and 
your  evil  thoughts  are  as  witchcraft  to  the  pure  life,  and 
as  a  canker,  will  eat  till  it  have  devoured  all  that  re- 
mains in  you,  to  lead  yoa  to  repentance,  that  not  so 
much  as  the  place  thereof  you  will  find  in  the  end. 
And  this  I  am  moved  to  warn  you  of,  having  been  often 
tempted  therewith,  that  the  life  of  peace  and  truth  may 
only  live  and  guide  in  you  in  all,  without  which  there 
can  be  no  true  unity  with  God  or  his  people,  which  is 
that  the  devil  chiefly  hates,  and  withstands  in  all  ia 
whom  he  can  prevail. 

Thus  having  drunken  a  measure  of  that  depth  which 
cannot  be  measured,  I  cannot  but  confess  thereto,  and 
declare  thereof  to  his  praise,  who  above  all  excelleth  in 
judgment  and  mercy,  to  every  particular  creature  in 
their  several  states  and  conditions,  that  all  might  hear 
and  take  heed  to  abide  in  him,  whose  ofl*spring  they  are, 
who  hath  his  way  in  the  deeps,  and  makes  darkness  as 
light  before  him ;  he  turns  man  to  destruction  for  his  dis- 
obedience, and  the  light  of  his  word  is  salvation,  and 
his  life  the  resurrection  out  of  the  greatest  depth,  who 
hath  saved  my  soul  from  death  thus  far,  agd  lifted  my 
feet  out  of  the  pit,  even  to  him  be  immortal  glory  foi 
ever;  and  let  every  troubled  soul  trust  in  Him, for  his 
mercy  endureth  for  ever. 

James  Nayler. 


(      XL  ) 


AND  IN  THE    DAY  WHEN  MY   GOD  LIFTED  MY  FEET  OUT  OF  THE  PIT 
WAS  THIS  GIVEN  FORTH. 

It  is  in  my  heart  to  praise  thee,  O  my  God,  let  me  ne- 
ver forget  thee,  what  thou  hast  been  to  me  in  the  night, 
by  thy  presence  in  the  day  of  trial,  when  1  was  beset  in 
darkness,  when  I  was  cast  out  as  a  w^andering  bird, 
when  I  was  assaulted  with  strong  temptations,  then  thy 
presence  in  secret  did  preserve  me;  and  in  a  low  estate 
1  felt  thee  near  me,  when  the  floods  sought  to  sweep  me 
away,  thou  set  a  compass  for  them,  how  far  they  should 
pass  over,  when  my  way  was  through  the  sea,  and  when 
I  passed  under  the  mountains,  there  wast  thou  present 
with  me,  when  the  weight  of  the  hills  was  upon  me, 
thou  upheld'st  me,  else  had  I  sunk  under  the  earth,  when 
I  was  as  one  altogether  helpless,  when  tribulation  and 
anguish  Was  upon  me  day  and  night,  and  the  earth 
without  foundation ;  when  I  went  on  the  way  of  wrath, 
and  passed  by  the  gates  of  hell;  when  all  comforts 
stood  a  far  off,  and  he  that  is  mine  enemy  had  dominion ; 
when  I  was  cast  into  the  pit,  and  was  as  one  appointed 
to  death ;  when  1  was  between  the  millstones,  and  as 
one  crushed  with  the  weight  of  his  adversary,  as  a  fa- 
ther thou  wast  with  me,  and  the  rock  of  thy  presence, 
when  the  mouths  of  lions  roared  against  me,  and  fear 
look  hold  on  my  soul  in  the  pit:  then  I  called  upon  thee 
in  the  night,  and  my  cries  were  strong  before  thee  daily, 
who  answered'st  me  from  thy  habitation,  and  deliver- 
ed'st  me  from  thy  dwelling  place,  saying,  'l  will  set  thee 
above  all  thy  fears,  and  lift  up  thy  feet  above  the  head 
of  oppression:"  I  believed  and  was  strengthened,  and 
thy  word  was  salvation.  Thou  didst  fight  on  my  part 
when  I  wrestled  with  death;  and  when  darkness  would 
have  shut  me  up,  then  thy  light  shone  about  me,  and  thy 
banner  was  over  my  head.  When  my  work  was  in 
the  furnace,  and  as  I  passed  through  the  fire,  by  thee 
I  was  not  consumed,  though  the  flames  ascended  above 
my  head:  when  1  beheld  the  dreadful  visions  and  was 
amongst  the  fiery  spirits,  thy  faith  stayed  me,  else 
through  fear  I  had  fallen:  1  saw  thee  and  believed,  so 
the  enemy  could  not  prevail. 


i 


(    xli  ) 


When  I  look  back  into  thy  works  I  am  astonished^ 
and  see  no  end  of  thy  praises:  glory,  glory  to  thee,  saith 
ray  soul,  and  let  my  heart  be  ever  filled  with  thanksgiv- 
ing; whilst  tny  works  remain,  they  shall  shew  forth  thy 
power;  then  didst  thou  lay  the  foundation  of  the  earth, 
and  led'stme  under  the  waters,  and  in  the  deep  did'st 
thou  shew  me  wonders,  and  the  forming  of  the  world. 
By  thy  hand  thou  led'st  me  in  safety  till  thou  sfiewed'st 
me  the  pillars  of  the  earth:  then  did  the  heavens  show- 
er down,  they  were  covered  with  darkness  and  the  pow- 
ers thereof  were  shaken,  and  thy  glory  descended,  thou 
filled'st  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth  with  gladness,  and 
the  springs  of  the.  valleys  were  opened;  thy  showers 
descended  abundantly,  so  the  earth  was  filled  with  vir- 
tue. Thou  madest  thy  plant  to  spring,  and  the  thirsty 
soul  became  as  a  watered  garden;  then  did'st  thou  lift 
me  out  of  the  pit,  and  set  me  forth  in  the  sight  of  my 
enemies:  thou  proclaimed'st  liberty  to  the  captive,  and 
called'st  mine  acquaintance  near  me,  they  to  whom  I 
had  been  a  wonder,  looked  upon  me,  and  in  thy  love  I 
obtained  favour  in  those  who  had  forsook  me,  then  did 
gladness  swallow  up  sorrow,  and  I  forsook  all  my  trou- 
bles; and  I  said,  how  good  is  it  that  man  be  proved  in 
the  night,  that  he  may  know  hfs  folly,  that  every  mouth 
may  become  silent  in  thy  hand,  until  thou  makest  man 
known  to  himself,  and  hast  slain  the  boaster,  and  shewed 
him  the  vanity  that  vexeth  thy  spirit. 

Printed  in  the  year  1659. 


Glory  to  God  Almighty,  who  ruleth  in  the  heavens, 
and  in  whose  hands  are  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth, 
who  raiseth  up  and  casteth  down  at  his  will,  who  hath 
ways  to  confound  the  exaltation  of  man  and  to  chastise 
his  children,  and  to  make  man  to  know  himself  to  be  as 
grass  before  him,  whose  judgments  are  above  the  highest 
of  men,  and  his  pity  reacheth  the  deepest  misery:  and 
the  arm  of  his  mercy  is  underneath,  to  lift  up»the  prison- 
er out  of  the  pit,  and  to  save  such  as  trusi  in  him  from 
the  great  destruction,  which  vain  man  through  his  folly 
brings  on  himself;  who  hath  delivered  my  soul  out  of 

6 


darkness,  and  made  way  for  my  freedom  out  of  the 
prison-house,  ransomed  me  from  the  great  captivity, 
who  divides  the  seas  before  him,  and  removes  the  moun- 
tains out  of  his  way,  in  the  day  when  he  takes  upon  him 
to  deliver  the  oppressed  out  of  the  hand  of  him  that 
is  too  mighty  for  him  in  the  earth;  let  his  name  be 
exalted  for  ever,  and  let  all  flesh  fear  before  him,  whose 
breath  is  life  to  his  own,  but  a  consuming  fire  to  the 
adversary. 

And  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  everlasting  dominion 
upon  earth,  and  his  kingdom  above  all  the  powers  of 
darkness,  even  that  Christ  of  whom  the  scriptures  de- 
clare, which  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come,  the  light  of 
the  world  to  all  generations,  of  whose  coming  I  testify, 
with  the  rest  of  the  children  of  light  begotten  of  the 
immortal  seed,  whose  truth  and  virtue  now  shine  in  the 
world  unto  the  righteousness  of  eternal  life,  and  the 
Saviour  of  all  that  believe  therein,  who  hath  been  the, 
rock  of  my  salvation,  and  his  spirit  hath  given  quietness 
and  patience  to  my  soul  in  deep  affliction,  even  for  his 
name  sake:  praises  for  ever. 

But  condemned  for  ever  be  all  those  false  worships, 
with  which  any  have  idolized  my  person  in  the  night  of 
my  temptation,  when  the*power  of  darkness  was  above; 
all  their  casting  ofl*  their  clothes  in  the  way,  their  bow- 
ings and  singings,  and  all  the  rest  of  those  wild  actions 
which  did  any  way  tend  to  dishonour  the  Lord,  or  draw 
the  minds  of  any  from  the  measure  of  Christ  Jesus  in 
themselves,  to  look  at  flesh  which  is  grass,  or  to  ascribe 
that  to  the  visible  which  belongs  to  Christ  Jesus;  all 
that  I  condemn  by  which  the  pure  name  of  the  Lord 
hath  any  way  been  blasphemed  through  me  in  that  time 
of  temptation,  or  the  spirits  of  any  people  grieved  that 
truly  love  the  Lord  Jesus  throughout  the  whole  world, 
of  what  sort  soever. 

This  offence  I  confess,  which  hath  been  sorrow  of 
heart,  that  the  enemy  of  man's  peace  in  Christ  should 
get  this  advantage  in  the  night  of  my  trial,  to  stir  up 
wrath  and  offences  in  the  creation  of  God,  a  thing  the 
simplicity  of  my  heart  did  not  intend,  the  Lorrd  knows, 
who  in  his  endless  love  hath  given  nie  powe  over  it  to 


(    xliii  ) 


condemn  it;  and  also  that  letter  sent  me  to  Exeter, by 
John  Stranger,  when  I  was  in  prison,  with  these  words, 
thy  name  shall  be  no  more  James  Nayler,  but  Jesus. 
This  I  judge  to  be  written  from  the  imaginations,  and  a 
fear  struck  me  when  I  first  saw  it ;  and  so  I  put  it  in  my 
pocket  [close]  not  intending  any  should  see  it:  which 
they  finding  on  me,  spread  it  abroad,  which  the  simplici-  / 
ty  of  my  heart  never  owned.  So  this  1  deny  also,  that 
the  name  of  Christ  Jesus,  is  received  instead  of  James 
JYayler,  or  be  ascribed  to  him;  for  the  name  is  to  the 
promised  seed  to  all  generations,  and  he  that  hath  the 
son,  hath  the  name  which  is  life  and  power,  the  salva- 
tion and  the  unction,  into  which  name  all  the  children 
of  light  are  baptized:  so  the  name  of  Christ  I  confess 
before  men,  but  not  according  to  men ;  which  name  to 
me  hath  been  a  strong  tower,  in  the  night  and  in  the 
day. 

And  this  is  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  which  I  confess, 
the  Son  and  the  Lamb,  the  promised  seed,  where  he 
speaks  in  male  or  female;  but  who  hath  not  this  in  him- 
self, hath  not  life,  neither  can  have  by  idolizing  my  per- 
son, or  the  person  of  any  flesh,  but  in  whom  the  heir  is 
born  and  hath  spoken,  or  doth  speak,  there  he  must  not 
be  denied  the  mouth  to  speak  by,  who  is  head  over  all, 
and  in  all  his  own,  God  blessed  for  ever. 

And  all  those  ranting  wild  spirits,  which  then  gather- 
ed about  me  in  the  time  of  darkness,  and  all  their  wild 
actions  and  wicked  words  against  the  honour  of  God  - 
and  his  pure  spirit  and  people,  I  deny  the  spirit,  the 
power  and  the  works  thereof,  and  as  far  as  I  gave  ad- 
vantage, through  want  of  judgment,  for  that  evil  spirit 
in  any  to  arise,  I  take  shame  to  myself  justly,  having 
formerly  had  power  over  that  spirit  in  judgment  and  dis- 
cerning wherever  it  was:  which  darkness  came  over  me 
through  want  of  watchfulness  and  obedience  to  the 
pure  eye  of  God,  and  diligent  minding  the  reproof  of 
life,  which  condemns  the  adultrous  spirit:  so  the  adver- 
sary got  advantage,  who  ceases  not  to  seek  to  devour; 
and  being  taken  captive  from  the  true  light,  walked  in 
the  night,  where  none  can  work,  as  a  wandering  bird  fit 
for  the  prey.    And  if  the  Lord  of  all  my  mercies  had 


(    xliii  ) 


not  rescued  me,  I  had  perished ;  for  I  was  as  one  ap- 
pointed to  death  and  destruction,  and  there  was  none 
could  deliver  me. 

And  this  I  confess,  that  God  may  be  justified  in  his 
judgment,  and  magnified  in  his  mercies  without  end,  who 
did  not  forsake  his  captive  in  the  night,  even  when  his 
spirit  was  daily  provoked  and  grieved  ;  but  hath  brought 
me  forth  to  give  glory  to  his  name  for  ever.  And  it  is 
in  my  heart  to  confess  to  God,  and  before  men,  my  folly 
and  offence  in  that  day ;  yet  was  there  many  things  form- 
ed against  me  at  that  day  to  take  away  my  life,  and 
cast  upon  the  truth,  of  which  I  am  not  guilty  at  all ;  as 
that  accusation,  as  if  I  had  committed  adultery  with 
sofiie  of  those  women  who  came  with  us  from  Exeter 
prison;  and  also  those  who  were  with  me  at  Bristol  the 
night  before  1  suffered  there.  Of  both  which  accusa- 
tions I  am  clear  before  God,  who  kept  me  at  that  day 
both  in  thought  and  deed,  as  to  all  women  as  a  little 
child,  God  is  ray  record.  And  this  I  mention  in  partic- 
ular [hearing  of  some  who  still  cease  not  to  reproach 
therewith  God's  truth  and  people]  that  the  mouth  of 
enmity  may  be  shut  from  evil-speaking,  though  this 
touch  not  my  conscience. 

Also  that  report,  as  though  I  had  raised  Dorcas  Er- 
bury  from  death;  this  I  deny  also,  and  condemn  that 
testimony  to  be  out  of  the  truth,  though  that  power  that 
quickens  the  dead  1  deny  not,  which  is  the  word  of  eter- 
nal life. 

And  this  I  give  forth,  that  it  may  go  as  far  as  the 
offence  against  the  spirit  of  truth  hath  gone  abroad, 
that  all  burthens  may  be  taken  off  with  the  truth,  and 
the  truth  cleared  thereby,  and  the  true  light  and  all 
that  walk  therein;  and  the  deeds  of  darkness  be  con- 
demned, and  that  all  that  are  in  darkness  may  not  act 
in  the  night,  but  stay  upon  God  who  dwells  in  the  light, 
who  with  the  workers  of  iniquity  hath  not  fellowship; 
which  had  I  done  when  first  darkness  came  upon  me, 
and  not  been  led  by  others,!  had  not  run  against  that 
rock  to  be  broken,  which  so  long  had  borne  me,  and  of 
whom  I  had  so  largely  drunken,  and  of  which  I  now 
drink  in  measure;  to  whom  be  the  glory  of  all,  and  to 


(    xlv  ) 


him  must  evevy  tongue  confess,  as  judge  and  Saviour, 
God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever. 

And  this  further  is  given  me  to  say  to  every  particu- 
lar person,  to  whom  this  writing  shall  come,  whatever 
is  thy  condition,  wait  in  the  light  which  lest  thee  see  it; 
there  is  thy  counsel  and  thy  strength  to  be  received,  to 
stay  thee,  and  to  recover  thee.  Art  thou  tempted  to 
sin?  Abide  in  that  which  le^t'  thee  see  it,  that  there 
thou  mayst  come  to  feed  on  the  right  body,  and  not  on 
the  temptation ;  for  if  thou  mindest  the  temptation  it 
will  overcome  thee,  but  in  the  light  is  salvation:  or  hav- 
ing sinned,  art  thou  tempted  to  despair  or  to  destroy  thy 
self.  Mind  not  the  temptation,  for  it's  death  that  sin 
hath  brought  forth ;  feed  not  on  it  nor  mind  it,  least  thou 
eatest  condemnation,  for  that's  the  wrong  body. 

The  body  of  Christ  is  felt  in  the  light,  in  which  is  life 
from  death,  grace  and  truth  to  feed  on,  which  will  over- 
come for  thee  being  followed ;  but  if  thou  foUowest  the 
temptation,  fear  and  condemnation  will  swallow  thee 
up;  if  there  appear  to  thee  voices,  visions  and  revela- 
tions, feed  not  thereon,  but  abide  in  the  light  and  feel 
the  body  of  Christ,  and  there  wilt  thou  receive  faith  and 
power  to  judge  of  every  appearance  and  spirits,  the 
good  to  hold  fast  and  obey,  and  the  false  to  resist.  Art 
thou  in  darkness?    Mind  it  not;  for  if  thou  dost,  it  will 
fill  thee  more;  but  stand  still  and  act  not,  and  wait  in 
patience  till  light  aris€  out  of  darkness  to  lead  thee. — 
Art  thou  wounded  in  conscience?    Feed  not  there,  but 
abide  in  the  light,  which  leads  to  the  grace  and  truth, 
which  teaches  to  deny  and  put  off  the  weight,  and  re- 
moves the  cause, and  brings  saving  health  to  light;  yea, 
this  I  say  to  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  that 
though  thou  hast  made  thy  grave  as  deep  as  the  nether- 
most hell,  or  were  the  afflictions  as  great  as  Job's,  and 
thy  darkness  as  the  depth  of  the  sea,  yet  if  thou  wilt 
not  run  to  vain  helps,  as  I  have  done,  but  stay  upon  the 
Lord,  till  he  give  thee  light  by  his  word  (who  commands 
light  to  shine  out  of  darkness)  from  thence  will  he  bring 
thee  forth,  and  his  eye  shall  guide  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
praise  his  name,  as  I  do  this  day,  glory  for  evermore! 
And  this  word  is  nigh  thee  which  must  give  thee  light, 
though  darkness  comprehends  it  not. 


(    xlvi  ) 

And  had'^t  thou  gifts,  revelations,  knowledge,  wia^- 
dom,  or  whatever  thou  canst  read  of  the  scriptures  of 
truth,  and  dost  not  abide  in  the  light,  and  feed  on  the 
body  of  Christ,  whence  the  gifts  spring,  but  feed  on  the 
gifts,  thou  may'st  be  up  for  a  while  in  thy  own  sight,  but 
certainly  thou  wilt  wither  and  die  to  God,  and  darkness 
will  come  upon  thee,  and  thy  food  will  turn  to  thy  con- 
demnation in  the  sight  of  God. 

And  this  I  have  learned  in  the  deeps,  and  in  secret 
when  I  was  alone,  and  now  declare  openly  in  the  day  of 
my  mercy,  glory  to  the  highest  for  evermore,  who  hath 
thus  far  set  me  free  to  praise  his  righteousness  and  his 
mercy,  and  to  the  eternal,  invisible,  pure  God  over  all, 
be  fear,  obedience  and  glory  evermore,  Amen. 

James  Nayler. 
[See  more  in  his  answer  to  the  Fanatick  History.] 


/ 


A  COLLECTION  OF  SUNDRY 

BOOKS  AND  PAPERS, 

WRITTEN  BY 

JAIVEES  NAYLER. 


DIVERS  PARTICULARS  OF  THE  PERSECUTIONS  OF  JAMES  NAYLER, 
BY  THE  PRIESTS  OF  WESTMORELAND. 

James  Nayler  being  raised  up,  and  sent  forth  to  de- 
clare the  everlasting  truth,  came  into  Westmoreland, 
and  being  at  a  meeting  at  Edward  Brigg's  house  on  the 
first  day,  where  many  people  met,  he  was  desired  by 
divers  friends,  to  meet  the  day  following  at  widow 
Cock's  house,  about  a  mile  from  Kendal;  whereof  the 
priests  having  notice,  raised  the  town  of  Kendal  against 
him:  but  being  long  in  gathering  together,  the  meeting 
was  done:  but  spies  being  out  upon  the  steeple  top  and 
other  places,  notice  was  given  what  way  James  passed 
from  thence.  And  coming  down  towards  Kendal,  two 
priests,  being  accompanied  with  a  justice  of  peace,  and 
some  other  magistrates  of  the  town,  with  an  exceeding 
great  multitude  of  people  following  them,  met  him,  say- 
ing, "Nayler,  I  have  a  message  from  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  to  thee,  but  that  there  is  not  a  convenient  place." 
To  which  James  answered,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  no 
respecter  of  places.  The  message  that  he  had  to  de- 
clare was  this,  "I  conjure  thee,  that  thou  tell  me,  by  what 
power  thou  inflictest  such  punishment*  upon  the  bodies 
of  creatures."  James  answered,  dost  thou  remember 
who  it  was  that  did  adjure  Christ  to  tell,  if  it  were  the 
Son  of  God,  and  asked  by  what  authority  he  did  those 
things?  For  James  saw  him  to  be  one  of  that  genera- 
tion. But  the  priest  still  conjuring  him,  to  tell  by  what 
power  he  did  it?  James  answered,  dost  thou  acknowl- 
edge it  to  be  donet  by  a  power?  Yea,  (saith  he)  I  have 


*  What  punishment  not  mentioneja  . 
\  Supposed  to  be  trembling,  &c 


(    48  ) 


the  spirit  of  God,  aud  thereby  know  it  is  done  by  a 
power.  James  said,  if  thou  hast  the  spirit  of  God,  as 
thou  sayest  thou  hast,  then  thou  canst  tell  by  what  pow- 
er it  is  done.  The  priest  said,  when  God  comes,  he 
comes  to  torment  the  souls,  and  not  the  bodies.  James 
said,  he  comes  to  redeem  the  souls.  But  after  much 
jangling,  the  priest  began  to  accuse  him  before  the  jus- 
tice and  magistrates  of  many  things:  as,  that  he  taught 
people  to  burn  their  bibles;  children  to  disobey  their 
parents;  wives  their  husbands;  people  to  disobey  the 
magistrates,  and  such  like  accusations:  to  which  James 
answered,  thou  art  a  false  accuser:  prove  one  of  these 
things,  if  thou  canst,  here,  before  the  magistrates.  But 
not  being  able  to  prove  any  one,  he  began  to  accuse 
James,  for  holding  out  a  light  that  doth  convince  of  sin ; 
which,  said  the  priest,  all  have  not.  To  which  James 
said,  put  out  one  in  all  this  great  multitude,  that  dare 
say  he  hath  it  not:  saith  the  priest,  these  are  all  cliris- 
tians,  but  if  a  Turk  or  Indian  were  here,  he  would  deny 
it.  James  said,  thou  goest  far  for  a  proof,  but  if  a  Turk 
were  here  he  would  witness  against  thee. 

The  people  beginning  to  fight,  the  priest  turned  away, 
saying,  here  will  be  a  disturbance,  said  James,  these  are 
thy  christians,  and  this  is  the  fruits  of  thy  ministry:  but 
the  justice,  with  some  others,  did  endeavour  to  keep  the 
rude  people  off  him,  so  that  they  could  not  come  to  their 
purpose  there:  but  he  being  to  pass  over  the  bridge,  and 
through  the  town,  they  that  were  of  the  priests  party 
ran  before,  swearing  they  would  throw  him  off  the  bridge 
into  the  water:  but  coming  thither,  and  seeing  their  pur- 
pose, he  was  encouraged  in  his  God,  who  gave  him  as- 
surance of  protection,  and  did  wonderfully  keep  him. 
and  those  that  were  with  him:  for  when  he  came  unto 
the  bridge,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  him,  and  he 
was  made  to  cry  out  against  their  rage,  and  the  power 
of  the  Lord  was  with  him,  so  that  he  received  no  harm, 
though  he  was  made  to  speak  all  along,  and  in  the  mar- 
ket place,  and  till  he  came  out  of  the  town:  but  the 
raging  priests  continued  shouting,  crying,  and  some 
throwing  of  stones  at  him  a  quarter  of  a  mile  out  of 
the  town.    But  such  was  the  power  of  the  Lord,  that 


(    49  ) 


neither  he,  nor  any  with  him,  received  any  harm.  The 
work  was  woiiderlul,  and  we  were  brought  much  to  ad- 
mire it,  and  praise  tlie  Lord,  who  is  blessed  for  ever  and 
ever. 

Another  time,  James  being  desired  of  many  christian 
friends,  to  be  at  a  meeting  at  Orton,  there  to  wait  upon 
the  Lord  for  what  he  would  make  known  to  his  people, 
went  accordingly ;  and  many  friends  and  brethren  ac- 
companied him:  but  the  priests  having  intelligence  some 
days  before,  five  of  them  were  gathered  together,  and 
R\any  people  from  all  quarters.  A  friend  in  the  town 
desired  James  to  come  to  his  house,  and  being  come  into 
his  house,  a  message  was  sent  from  the  priests,  desiring 
him  to  come  into  the  field,  under  pretence  of  a  more 
convenient  place  for  the  great  multitude.  To  which 
James  answered.  It  is  my  desire  that  all  may  be  edified; 
and  coming  into  the  field,  the  priests  came  with  a  great 
multitude, and  asked  him,  by  what  authority  he  came 
thither,  and  had  gathered  together  so  many  people,  to 
break  the  peace?  And,  tempting  him.  said,  wilt  thou  be 
bound,  that  none  here  shall  break  the  peace  ?  To  which 
James  answered,  we  came  not  hither  to  create  oftences: 
but  if  any  break  the  law,  let  him  suffer  by  the  law.  For 
he  perceived  they  intended  violence,  as  it  appeared  af- 
terwards. 

But  seeing  they  could  not  prevail  in  that,  another  of 
them  desir&dhim  to  go  into  the  church,  as  he  called  it; 
tempting  him,  saying,  the  people  may  all  sit^  and  hear  bet- 
itr.  But  James  perceiving  their  deceit,  said,  all  places 
were  alike  to  him,  he  would  abide  in  the  field;  where- 
upon they  pulled  out  an  ordinance  of  parliament,  forbid- 
ding any  to  speak,  but  such  as  w  ere  authorized  to  speak, 
either  in  church  or  chapel,  or  any  public  place;  and  bid 
him  speak  at  his  peril,  as  he  would  answer  the  contempt 
.  of  it.  To  which  he  answered,  saying,  this  is  not  a  pub- 
lic place.  No,  said  one  of  the  priests,  is  not  this  a  pub- 
lic place?  the  town  field!  And  charged  the  constable 
of  the  town  to  do  his  office;  and  examined  his  author- 
ity .  James  answered,  those  that  are  sent  to  declare  the 
things  of  God,  have  not  their  authority  from  men.  But 
they  bid  him  prove  that,    He  said,  Paul  received  not 

7 


I   .>o  ) 


bis  commission  from  man,  nor  by  man.  To  which  one 
of  them  answered,  that  was  his  gospel:  but  they  would 
prove,  that  Paul  had  a  call  from  man  to  preach;  and 
for  that  end  he  named  that  place  in  Acts  13.  2.  where 
the  holy  ghost  said,  separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul: 
and  the  apostles  laid  their  hand  upon  them:  which, said 
one  of  them,  was  the  laying  on  of  hands  of  the  presby- 
tery. But  when  he  had  found  that  place,  James  asked 
him,  if  that  was  Paul's  call  to  the  ministry?  [three 
times]  but  he  answered  nothing:  then  said  James,  if  that 
was  his  call,  he  had  preached  long  without  a  call  before 
that  ;  and  instanced  to  prove  it.  Gal.  1. 

Whereupon  that  business  ended:  but  another  priest 
stood  up,  and  said,  thou  oughtest  to  give  an  account  of 
thy  faith  to  everyone  that  asketh:  whereupon  he  asked 
divers  questions,  whereunto  James  answered,  insomuch 
that  some  who  stood  by  cried  out,  answer  not  all,  but 
ask  him  some.  A  while  after  James  asked  him,  how 
he  would  prove  himself  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and 
live  upon  tithes;  to  which  he  would  not  answer:  then 
said  James,  neither  will  I  answer  thee,  if  thou  ask  me 
twenty  more. 

The  next  question  he  asked  was,  whether  Christ  was 
ascended  or  no?  but  James  said,  I  will  not  answer  thee, 
whereupon  he  cried  out  to  the  people,  and  said,  he  de- 
nies the  humanity  of  Christ:  and  made  a  great  outcry 
among  the  people  of  it.  But  the  people  cried  out,  say- 
ing, let  us  hear  him;  you  have  often  told  us  many  things 
against  him:  let  him  speak,  and  then  if  he  speak  not 
truth,  you  may  then  reprove  him.  James  hearing  the 
desire  of  the  people,  began  to  speak;  and  the  people 
gave  audience,  and  were  very  silent.  But  beginning  to 
holdout  Christ  alone  to  be  the  teacher  of  his  people  in 
spirit  and  truth,  one  of  the  priests  cried  out,  I  cannot 
endure  to  hear  this  seducer  any  longer.  Upon  which 
James  said,  prove  me  a  seducer  before  all  this  people,  or 
else  thou  art  a  false  accuser.  But  he  had  not  one  word 
to  say  against  any  thing  that  he  had  spoken;  but  said, 
"if  thou  wilt  not  answer  me  that  question  I  asked  thee,  1 
will  call  thee  a  seducer  as  long  as  I  live. 


(    51  ) 


Whereupon,  seeing  there  could  be  no  peace  there,  noi 
liberty  to  speak,  they  desired  James  to  go  into  the  house: 
and  they  kept  close  about  him,  to  keep  him  from  the  vi- 
olence of  some  that  came  along  with  the  priest:  but 
they  raged  so,  that  he  and  some  other  friends  re- 
ceived blows,  and  with  much  ado  got  to  the  house:  but 
they,  like  the  raging  Sodomites  waited  about  the  door 
to  do  mischief,  and  kept  shouting  about  the  house  all  the 
while  he  was  speaking:  but  the  house  being  filled  with 
people  they  could  not  come  to  their  purpose.  And  the 
Lord  so  ordered  it,  in  the  evening  we  came  away  with- 
out any  more  harm:  but  not  long  after,  there  came  some 
of  the  priests  party  about  the  house,  and  asked,  if  Nay- 
ler  was  gone?  And  when  they  heard  he  was  gonre,  they 
said,  he  may  thank  God  for  that.  Thus  by  the  wisdom 
of  God  he  escaped  their  violence  at  that  time. 

But  the  priests  missing  of  their  purpose  there,  the 
next  first  day  after,  they  prepared  their  sermons  suita- 
ble to  what  they  intended,  possessing  the  people  that  he 
was  a  blasphemer,  and  denied  the  resurrection  and  the 
humanity  of  Christ,  and  all  authority;  and  that  the  par- 
liament had  opened  a  gap  for  blasphemy,  and  as  it  was 
said  by  some  of  their  hearers,  they  did  God  good  ser- 
vice that  would  knock  him  down.  Thus  having  stirred 
up  the  ruder  sort,  the  next  day  they  prevailed  with  one 
called  a  justice  of  peace,  the  priest's  son  got  him  to  come 
twelve  miles  from  his  own  house,  he  was  one  that  had 
been  in  actual  arms  against  the  parliament,  for  the 
bringing  in  of  the  Scots,  and  having  armed  a  great  mul- 
titude against  the  next  morning,  they  came  very  early  to 
the  house  where  he  was,  where  many  christian  friends 
should  have  met  that  day,  and  asked  for  Nayler,  threat- 
ening to  knock  out  his  brains  against  the  stones  in  the 
wall,  and  that  they  would  pull  down  the  house  if  he 
would  not  come  out;  though  the  door  was  never  shut 
agaist  them.  But  some  of  them  came  into  the  house, 
and  commanded  him  to  come  forth,  under  pretence  to 
dispute  with  the  priest.  But  James  seeing  what  they 
intended,  answered,  you  did-  not  use  me  so  civilly  the 
last  time  I  was  amongst  you,  but  if  any  have  a  mind, 
they  may  come  in,  the  doors  are  open.    Which  answei 


they  told  the  priests;  whereupon  they  rushed  violently 
in, and  taking  him  by  the  throat,  hauled  him  out  of  the 
door  in(o  the  field,  where  was  a  man  whom  they  called 
a  justice,  and  with  a  pitchfork  struck  off  his  hat,  and 
commanded  liim  to  answer  to  such  questions  as  the 
priests  would  ask  him.  Whereupon  the  priest  began  to 
ask  many  questions ;  as  concerning  the  resurrection,  the 
humanity  of  Christ,  the  Scriptures,  and  divers  other 
questions,  as  the  sacrament, and  such  like;  to  which  he 
answered,  and  proved  by  Scripture.  But  at  last  being 
asked  if  Christ  was  in  him,  he  said,  he  witnessed  him 
in  measure.  The  priest  asked,  if  Chrst  was  in  him  as 
man?  James  said,  Christ  is  not  divided;  for  if  he  be, 
he  is  no  more  Christ:  but  I  witness  that  Christ  in  me 
who  is  God  and  man  in  measure.  But  the  priest  said, 
Christ  is  in  Heaven  with  a  carnal  body.  To  which 
said  James,  C  hrist  filleth  Heaven  and  earth,  and  is  not 
carnal,  but  spiritual :  for  if  Christ  be  in  Heaven  with  a 
carnal  body,  and  the  saints  with  a  spiritual  body,  that 
is  not  proportionable  or  agreeable,  neither  was  that  a 
carnal  body  which  came  in  among  the  disciples,  the 
doors  being  shut:  for  Christ  is  a  mystery,  and  tliou  know- 
est  him  not. 

Then  after  much  jangling  and  tem}Uing,  the  priest  not 
having  got  the  advantage  he  waited  for,  he  .cried  out 
unto  the  people,  not  to  receive  him  into  their  houses, 
andalledged  that  in  the  second  epistle  of  John,  ver.  10. 
Now  how  suitable  that  place  was  for  his  purpose,  all 
people  may  see,  who  have  eyes:  for  there  they  are  for- 
bidden to  receive  any  into  their  houses,  but  such  who 
abide  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  confess  themselves 
that  they  had  both  the  father  and  the  son,  and  preach 
that  doctrine;  but  the  priests  say  that  is  blasphemy. 

Then  the  priest  turned  away  from  him ;  upon  which, 
the  armed  multitude  began  to  be  violent  against  divers 
friends  that  were  there.  James  hearing  friends  cry  out, 
said  to  the  justice,  you  will  surely  set  us  peaceably  in 
the  house  again:  but  seeing  him  to  go  away,  and  leave 
them  in  the  hands  of  the  rude  multitude,  he  gave  hisn- 
self  up,  saying,  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done. 


(    53  ) 

Upon  which  the  justice  turned  again,  saying,  we  will 
see  him  in  the  house  again ;  and  going  towards  the  house, 
many  friends  kept  close  about  James,  exposing  their 
own  bodies  to  the  danger  of  their  weapons,  to  save  liim 
liarmless:  and  so  with  much  ado  we  got  into  the  house, 
not  receiving  much  harm.  Which  being  done  and  as 
James  was  praising  the  Lord,  for  his  wonderous  deliver- 
ance from  their  malicious  intents,  some  heard  them  say, 
if  w  e  let  him  go  thus,  all  people  will  run  after  him. 
Whereupon  they  agreed  that  he  should  be  brought  be- 
fore the  Justice  again,  and  came  with  violence,  and 
liauled  him  out  again.  Then  the  Justice  and  the  Priest 
getting  on  horseback,  they  caused  him  to  run  after  them 
to  an  Alehouse  on  the  other  side  the  water,  where  they 
went  in,  not  suffering  one  friend  to  go  in  with  James. 
And  when  he  came  before  the  Justice,  he  told  him,  if 
he  would  not  put  off  his  hat,  he  would  send  him  to  pri- 
son; and  also  because  he  thou'd  him;  for  the  justice 
said,  my  commission  runs  ye.  To  v/hich  James  answer- 
ed, I  do  it  not  in  contempt;  for  I  own  authority,  and 
.  honour  it  according  to  the  scriptures:  but  I  find  none 
such  honour  commanded  in  scripture,  but  forbidden. 
Then  they  concluded  to  commit  him  for  that,  and  also 
as  a  wandering  person,  and  said,  none  there  knew  from 
whence  he  came;  for  those  who  knew  him  were  kept 
■out.  Then  said  he  to  Arthur  Scaife,  thou  knowest  me; 
I  was  in  the  army  with  thee  eight  or  nine  years.  It  is 
no  matter,  said  the  justice,  thou  art  no  soldier  now. 

Then  they  writ  a  mittimus  to  send  him  to  prison,  and 
carried  him  to  Kirby-stephen  that  night,  and  shut  him 
up  in  a  chamber,  and  set  a  guard  upon  him:  but  divers 
of  our  friends  following  into  the  town,  where  a  great 
multitude  were  gathered  together  for  meeting:  then  did 
the  people  come  from  the  Steeplehouse,  where  another 
had  been  preaching;  for  divers  of  the  priests  were 
gathered  together  that  day,  some  preaching,  som£  plot- 
ting and  some  persecuting:  Jezabel's  fast  was  a  prepa- 
ration for  Naboth's  death.  But  friends  not  being  suffer- 
ed to  go  into  the  house  where  James  was,  they  abode 
in  the  streets;  and  some  of  them  being  moved  to  speak 
to  the  people,  the  priests  perceiving  the  people  to  give 


(    54  ) 


audience  to  what  was  spoken,  made  complaint:  where- 
upon some  were  sent  forth,  and  with  violence  fetched  in 
Francis  Howgill,  a  friend  who  was  speaking  to  the 
people,  and  brought  him  into  the  Priests  hall,  where  were 
five  Priests  assembled,  with  many  others  of  their  party, 
but  not  one  friend.  And  bringing  him  before  the  Justice, 
he  commanded  to  put  off  his  haf .  He  answered,  I  know 
no  such  law.  The  priest  said,  he  will  tread  both  min- 
istry and  magistracy  under  his  feet.  He  said,  thon  art 
a  false  accuser;  prove  wherein.  But  one  that  stood  by, 
took  off  his  hat,  and  cast  it  into  the  fire.  Then  said 
the  Justice,  what  is  this  thou  speakest  against  the  min- 
isters? He  answered,  what  hast  thou  to  accuse  me  of? 
Whereupon  one  affirmed  that  he  said,  all  the  ministers 
that  taught  for  hire,  and  in  Steeplehouses,  were  enemies, 
and  liars  against  Jesus  Christ,  and  no  ministers  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Upon  that,  the  Justice  said,  thou  speakest 
against  the  law;  for  the  law  gives  them  their  mainten- 
ance. He  said,  I  meddle  not  of  the  law,  but  of  their 
practice.  Then  said  Francis  to  the  priest,  didst  thou 
ever  know  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  was  a  perse- 
cuter,  or  did  labour  to  imprison  any?  And  after  some 
more  discourse,  he  said  to  the  priest,  I  have  seen  a  great 
deal  of  tyranny  and  persecution  in  this  days  actions. 
Then  said  the  justice  to  the  people ;  take  notice,  he  saith, 
the  law  I  a»ct  by,  is  tyranny  and  persecution.  To  which 
the  people  assented.  Then  said  Francis,  thou  mayst 
give  out  to  the  people  what  thou  wilt;  but  I  speak  not 
of  the  law,  but  of  your  actions.  Upon  that  he  was  sent 
to  prison;  a  guard  of  eight  men  was  set  over  them, 
who  spent  the  night  in  drinking,  swearing,  and  filthy 
and  unclean  talking;  and  the  more  they  were  desired 
by  the  people  to  beware  of  sin,  the  mor§  filthy  they 
did  appear.  But  these  are  the  fittest  instruments  for 
acting  the  priests  intentions,  being  members  of  their 
churches. 

The  next  day  they  were  guarded  to  Appleby;  but 
some  friends  following,  could  not  be  suffered  to'  pass  on  I 
the  streets  that  way;  so  great  was  their  envy  against  f 
all  that  set  their  faces  that  way.  And  the  prisoners  >k 
being  brought  thither,  much  means  were  used,  that  none  Jl 


(    55  ) 


should  come  at  them,  but  such  as  were  sent  to  tempt 
them.  There  they  were  kept  until  the  sessions;  in 
which  time  they  sent  up  and  down  the  country,  to  seek 
for  any  who  would  witness  any  thing  against  them;  and 
improved  their  utmost  interest  for  their  advantage.  A 
jury  was  chosen;  divers  of  whom  were  resolved  on  the 
business;  so  that  it  was  told  the  prisoners  what  would 
become  of  them,  before  the  day  of  examination  came; 
and  it  was  accordingly:  for  the  day  came,  and  judgment 
passed ;  but  the  prisoners  never  saw  their  accusers, 
nor  know  who  they  are.  But  against  that  day,  the 
priests  had  prepared  three  large  petitions,  stuffed  with 
most  filthy  untruths  and  slanders,  raised  out  of  the 
bottomless  pit,  but  not  one  of  them  proved,  though  (^ne 
of  the  justices  said  to  them,  it  is  Jit  they  should  be  proved: 
neither  was  there  any  thing  in  them,  which  they  could 
charge  upon  the  prisoners,  save  only  what  the  power  of 
the  Lord  had  manifested  at  their  meetings  in  shaking 
proud  flesh,  and  pouring  out  his  spirit  upon  many,  espe- 
cially, as  they  said,  upon  little  children:  which  the 
priests  concluded  was  sorcery  and  witchery,  and  of  the 
devil ;  hereby  declaring  themselves  to  be  of  that  genera- 
tion, who  called  the  good  man  of  the  house,  Belzebuh; 
and  if  they  should  not  do  the  same  to  them  of  his  house- 
hold, the  words  of  Christ  could  not  be  fulfilled. 

Likewise  they  had  gathered  up  all  reports,  true  or 
false,  of  things  done  by  many  that  the  prisoners  had 
not  seen  the  faces  of,  or  ever  ^^new ;  thinking  thereby 
to  make  them  odious  to  the  people.  They  also  brought 
two  priests  out  of  Lancashire,  to  swear  things  that  ano- 
ther man  had  spoken  in  the  presence  of  four  Justices  of 
the  Peace,  and  for  which  the  man  had  been  tried  and 
cleared.  And  these  they  brought  thinking  to  add  afflic- 
tions to  the  prisoners  bonds.  But  he  (with  his  fellow- 
prisoner)  was  kept  in  great  peace  and  joy,  having  not 
any  comfort  from  man,  but  from  God,  who  hath  appear- 
ed to  him  in  this  condition,  and  hath  given  him  assurance 
of  his  love,  in  whom  he  rests.  To  whom  be  praise, 
honour,  and  glory  for  ever.  .^men. 


C    56  ) 


THE  EXAMINATION  OF  JAMES  ?JAYLER,  UPON  AN  INDICTMENT  OF  BLAS 
PHEMY,  AT  THE  SESSIONS  AT  APPLEBY,  IN  JANUABY,  1652. 

Justice  Pearson.    Put  off  your  hats. 

J.  Nayler.  I  do  it  not  in  contempt  of  authority ;  for 
I  honour  the  power  as  it  is  of  God,  without  respecting 
mens  persons,  it  being  forbidden  in  scripture.  He  that 
respects  persons,  commits  sin,  and  is  convinced  of  the 
law  as  a  transgressor. 

Just.  P.  That  is  meant  of  respecting  persons  in  judg- 
ment. 

J.  N.  If  I  see  one  in  goodly  apparel,  and  a  gold  ring, 
and  see  one  in  poor  and  vile  raiment;  and  say  to  him 
in  ^ne  apparel,  sit  thou  in  a  higher  place  than  the  poor, 
I  am  partial,  and  judged  of  evil  thoughts. 

Col.  Brigs.  If  thou  wert  in  the  Parliament  house, 
wouldst  thou  keep  it  on? 

J.  N.  If  God  should  keep  me  in  the  same  mind  I  am 
in  now,  I  should. 

Col.  Brigs.  I  knew  thou  wouldst  contemn  authority. 

J.  N.  I  speak  in  the  presence  of  God,  I  do  not  con- 
temn authority ;  but  I  am  subject  to  the  power  as  it  is 
of  God,  for  conscience  sake. 

Just.  P.  Now  authority  commands  thee  put  off  thy  hat. 
whatsayst  thou  to  it? 

J.  N.  Where  God  commands  one  thing,  and  man  ano- 
ther, I  am  to  obey  God  rather  than  man. 

Col.  Benson.  See  whether  the  law  commands  it,  or 
your  own  wills. 

The  indictment  was  read,  wherein  James  was  indic- 
ted for  saying,  that  ('hrist  was  in  him,  and  that  there 
was  but  one  word  of  God. 

Col.  Brigs.  Where  wast  thou  born? 

J.  N.  At  Ardislaw,two  miles  from  Wakefield. 

Col.  Brigs.  How  longlivedst  thou  there? 

J.  N.  Until  I  was  married;  then  I  went  into  Wake- 
field parish. 

Col.  Brigs.  What  profession  wast  thou  of?  ^ 

J.  N.  A  husbandman. 

Col.  Brigs.  Wast  thou  a  soldier? 

J.  N,  Yea;  I  was  a  soldier  between  eight  and  nint 
years. 


(    57  ) 


Col.  Brigs.  Wast  thou  not  at  Burford,  among  the 
levellers? 

J.  N.  i  was  never  there. 

Col.  Brigs  I  charge  thee  by  the  Lord,  that  thou  tell 
me  whether  thou  wast  or  no. 

J.  N.  I  was  then  in  the  North,  and  was  never  taxed 
for  any  munity,  or  any  other  thing,  while  I  served  the 
Parliament. 

Col  Brigs.  What  was  the  cause  of  thy  coming  into 
these  parts. 

J.  N.  If  I  may  have  liberty,  I  shall  declare  it.  I  was 
at  the  plough,  meditating  on  the  things  of  God,  and  sud- 
denly I  heard  a  voice,  saying  unto  me,  get  thee  out  from 
thy  kindred,  and  from  thy  father's  house.  And  I  had  a 
promise  given  in  with  it.  Whereupon  I  did  exceedingly 
rejoice,  that  I  had  heard  the  voice  of  that  God  which 
1  had  professed  from  a  ciiild,  but  had  never  known 
him. 

Col.  Brigs.  Didst  tliou  hear  that  voice? 

J.  N.  Yes,  1  did  hear  it;  and  when  I  came  at  home,  I 
gave  up  my  estate,  cast  out  my  money;  but  not  being 
obedient  ingoing  forth,  the  wrath  of  God  was  upon  me, 
so  that  I  was  made  a  wonder  to  all;  and  none  thought 
I  would  have  lived.  But  [after  I  was  made  willing]  I 
began  to  make  some  preparation,  as  apparel  and  other 
necessaries,  not  knowing  whither  I  should  go:  but  short- 
ly afterward,  going  agate-ward  with  a  friend  from  mine 
own  house,  having  on  an  old  suit,  without  any  money, 
having  neither  taken  leave  of  wife  or  children,  not  think- 
ing then  of  any  journey,  I  was  commanded  to  go  into  the 
W^est,  not  knowing  whether  I  should  go,  nor  what!  was 
to  dothereibut  when  I  had  been  there  a  little  while,  I 
had  given  me  what  I  was  to  declare;  and  ever  since  I 
have  remained,  not  knowing  to  day,  what  I  was  to  do 
to-morrow. 

Col.  Brigs.  What  was  the  promise  that  thou  hadst 
given? 

J.  N.  That  God  would  be  with  me:  which  promise  1 
find  made  good  every  day. 

Col.  Brigs.  I  never  heard  such  a  cause  as  this  is, in 
our  time. 

8 


(  ^8  ; 


J.  N.  I  believe  thee. 

Just.  Pears.  Is  Christ  in  thee? 

J.  N.  I  witness  him  in  me:  and  if  1  should  deny  him 
before  men,  he  would  deny  me  bef(ire  my  father  which 
is  in  heaven. 

Just.  Pears.  Spiritual  you  meaii? 

J.  N.  Yea,  spiritual. 

Just.  Pears.  By  faith,  or  how? 

J.  N.  By  faith. 

Just.  Pears,  What  difference  then  between  the  minis- 
ters and  you  ? 

J.  N.  The  ministers  affirm  Christ  to  be  in  heaven 
with  a  carnal  body,  but  I  with  a  spiritual. 

Just.  Pears.  Which  of  the  ministers  say  Christ  is  in 
heaven  with  a  carnal  body? 

J.  N.  The  minister,  so  called,  of  Kirby-stephen. 
Priest  Higgifison  stood  up,  and  affirmed  it  again  open- 
ly before  all  the  court. 

J.N  If  Christ  be  in  heaven  with  a  carnal  body,  and 
the  saints  with  a  spiritual  body,  it  is  iiot  proportionable; 
neither  was  that  a  carnal  body  which  appeared  among 
the*  disciples,  the  doors  being  shut,  and  appeared  in 
divers  forms. 

Quest.    Was  Christ  man,  or  no? 
J.  N.  Yea,  he  was,  and  took  upon  him  the  seed  of 
Abraham,  and  was  real  flesh  and  bone;  but  is  a  myste- 
ry not  known  to  the  carnal  man:  for  he  is  begotten  of 
the  innnortal  seed,  and  those  that  know  him,  know  him 
to  be  spiritual;  for  it  was  the  word  that  became  flesh, 
and  dwelt  amongst  us;  and  if  he  had  not  been  spirit- 
ual, he  had  not  wrought  my  redemption. 
Just.  Pears.  Is  Christ  in  thee  as  man? 
J.N.  Christ  filleth  all  places,  and  is  not  divided;  sep- 
arate God  and  man,  and  he  is  no  more  Christ. 

Just.  Pears.  If  we  stand  to  dispute  these  things,  we 
should  have  the  Ministers. 

James  perceiving  Priest  Higginson  offended,  because 
he  had  told  of  his  saying,  that  Christ  was  in,  Heaven 
with  a  carnal  body,  James  said,  friend  I  had  not  accused 
thee,  had  I  not  been  asked  what  was  the  difference  be- 
tween the  ministers  and  me.  For  I  am  not  come  to  ac- 
cuse any;  for  I  am  against  accusations. 


(    59  ) 


Col.  Brigs.  Wast  thou  not  of  a  kirk  about  Sawrby  ? 

J.  N.  I  was  a  member  of  an  Independent  Church  at 
Weed  Church. 

Col.  Brigs.  Wast  thou  not  excommunicated  for  thy 
blasphemous  opinions? 

J.  N.  I  know  not  wiiat  they  have  done  since  I  came 
forth;  but  before  I  was  not,  to  my  knowledge. 

Col.  Brigs  called  Mr.  Coale,  saying,  did  you  e'er  hear 
such  a  call  as  this?  did  you  hear  it? 

Coale.  Yea,  I  heard  part  of  it. 

Col.  Brigs.  Didst  not  thou  write  a  paper,  wherein  was 
mentioned,  that  if  thou  thinkest  to  be  saved  by  that 
Christ  which  died  at  Jerusalem,  thou  art  deceived? 

J.  N.  If  I  cannot  witness  Christ  nearer  than  Jerusalem 
I  shall  have  no  benefit  by  him ;  but  I  own  no  ather  Christ, 
but  that  who  witnessed  a  good  confession  before  Ponti- 
us Pilate;  which  Christ  I  witness  suffering  in  me  now 
(viz.  spiritually.) 

Col.  Brigs.  Wilt  thou  deny  thy  hand? 

J.  N.  I  will  not  deny  my  hand,  if  I  may  see  it;  and  1 
desire  that  1  may  have  so  much  favour,  that  that  pa- 
j)er  may  be  kept  as  an  evidence,  either  with  or  against 
me. 

A  large  petition  being  read,  wherein  was  something  a- 
gainst  Quaking  and  trembling. 

Just.  Pears.  How  comes  it  to  pass  that  people  quake 
and  tremble? 

J.  N.  The  Scriptures  witnes  the  same  condition  in  the 
Saints  formerly  ;  as  David,  Daniel,  Habbakkuk,  and  di- 
vers others. 

Just.  Pears.  Did  they  fall  down? 

J.  N.  Yea,  some  of  them  did  so. 

Coale.  David  said,  all  his  bones  were  broken,  but  they 
were  whole. 

J.  N.  So  are  these  now. 

Coale.  Moses  trembled ;  for  he  saw  the  face  of  God 
and  all  Isreal. 

J.  N.  Did  all  Isreal  see  the  face  of  God?  That  cros- 
seth  the  Scriptures. 

Coale.  They  saw  his  glory.  I  shall  see  the  Lord 
with  these  eyes;  putting  his  fingers  to  his  eyes. 


(    60  ) 


J."  N.  They  must  first  be  made  spiritual ;  he  cannot  be 
seen  with  carnal  eyes,  for  lie  is  a  spirit;  and  no  flesh  can 
see  God  and  live. 

Coale.  That  light  bv  which  I  am  justified,  is  a  created 

light. 

J.  N.  That  light  by  which  I  am  justified,  is  net  a  crea- 
ted light. 

Coale.  That  is  true. 

Just.  Pears.  To  the  word:  what  sayest  thou  to  the 
scriptures?  are  they  the  word  of  God? 

J.  N.  They  are  a  true  declaration  of  the  word,  that 
was  in  them  who  spoke  them  forth. 

Higginson.  Is  there  not  a  written  word? 

J.  N.  Where  readest  thou  in  the  scriptures,  that  they 
a/e  called  the  written  word?  The  word  is  spiritual, 
not  s€en  with  carnal  eyes:  but  as  for  the  scriptures, 
they  are  true,  and  I  witness  them  true,  in  measure  ful- 
filled in  me,  as  far  as  I  am  grown  up. 

Just.  Pears.  Why  dost  thou  disturb  the  ministers  in 
their  public  worships? 

J.  N.  I  have  not  disturbed  them  in  their  public 
worship. 

Just.  Pears.  Why  dost  thou  speak  against  tythes, 
which  are  allowed  by  the  states? 

J,  N.  I  meddle  not  with  the  states;  I  speak  against 
them  that  are  hirelings,  as  they  are  hirelings:  those  that 
were  sent  of  Christ,  never  took  tythes,  nor  ever  sued 
any  for  wages. 

Just  Pears.  Dost  thou  think  we  are  so  beggarly  as  the 
Heathens,  that  we  cannot  afford  our  ministers  maintain- 
ance?    We  give  them  it  freely. 

J.  N.  They  are  the  ministers  of  Christ,  who  abide  in 
the  doctrine  of  Christ. 

Just.  Pears.  But  who  shall  judge?  How  shall  we 
know  them  ? 

J.  N.  By  their  fruits  you  shall  know  them ;  they  that 
abide  not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  make  it  appear  they 
arc  not  the  ministers  of  Christ.  ^ 

Just.  Pears.  That  is  true.^ 

*This  just  Pearson  was  convinced  at  this  sessions,  by  J.  Nayler,  as  he  sat  on  the 
bench  one  of  his  judges,  being  that  Anthony  Pearson,  who  afterwards  wrote  the  booic 
called,  the gwjat  cftse  of  Tythes,  &c. 


(    61  ) 


After  this,  there  passed  some  discourse  between  jus- 
tice Benson,  and  others  on  the  bench,  concerning  J. 
Nayler's  commitment.    Justice  Benson  alleged,  that  the 
words  by  him  spoken,  w^ere  neither  within  the  act  against 
blasphemy,  nor  against  any  law.    Two  of  the  justices 
replied,  that  rather  than  J.  Nayler  should  go  at  liberty, 
and  abroad  in  the  country,  they  would  stand  to  the  haz- 
ard of  being  fined  by  the  judges  of  the  assize;  and  an- 
other of  the  justices  said,  that  they  rather  committed 
him  upon  the  ministers  petitions  (though  none  of  the 
particulars  therein  were  proved)  than  upon  the  indict- 
ment, there  having  been  several  petitions  put  up  by  the 
priests  of  Westmoreland  to  the  justices  of  the  peace, 
against  J.  N.  G.  Fox,  F.  Howgil,  and  others,  and  accor- 
dingly it  was  ordered  by  the  justices  at  Appleby,  that 
J.  Nayler  and  F.  Howgil  should  stay  in  prison  till  the 
petitions  were  answered:  which  said  petitions  were  an- 
swered by  G.  Fox  and  J.  Nayler ;  see  the  book,  entitled, 
several  petitions  answered,  that  were  put  up  by  the 
priests  of  Westmoreland,  against  J.  N.  and  G.  F.  So 
after  about  20  weeks  imprisonment,  they  were  dischar- 
ged ;  after  which  J.  N.  continued  in  the  service  of  truth  in 
the  north,  till  became  to  London  about  the  year  1654, 
as  will  appear  hereafter  by  his  own  account. 


V  LETTER  OF  JAMES  NAYLEr's,  TO  SOME  FRIENDS  IN  YORKSHIRE,  GIVING 
A  BRIEF  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS  AT  LANCASTER  SESSIONS 
AGAINST  HIM  AND  G.  FOX  ;  AS  IN  A  BOOK,  CALLED,  A  BRIEF 
DISCOVERY,  AND  ALSO  IN  G.  f's  JOURNAL,  PAGE  90,  &,C. 

Dear  friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
my  dear  love  is  unto  you  all,  desiring  you  may  be  kept 
steadfast  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  power  of 
his  love,  boldly  to  witness  forth  the  truth,  as  it  is  reveal* 
ed  in  you  by  the  mighty  working  of  the  father;  to 
him  alone  be  everlasting  praise,  and  honour  for  ever- 
more. Dear  friends,  the  Lord  doth  much  manifest  his 
love  and  power  in  these  parts. 

Upon  the  second  day  of  the  last  week,  my  brother 
George  and  I  were  at  Lancaster,  there  were  abundance 
of  friends  from  all  parts,  and  a  great  sort  of  people  who 


(    62  ) 


sided  with  the  priests,  giving  out,  they  now  hoped  to 
see  a  stop  put  to  that  great  work,  which  had  gone  on  so 
fast,  and  with  such  power,  that  their  kingdom  is  much 
shaken. 

We  were  called  before  judge  Fell,  Col.  West,  Justice 
Sawrey,  &c.to  answer  what  was  charged  against  George. 
There  were  three  witnesses  to  eight  particulars,  but 
they  were  much  confused  in  themselves,  which  gave 
much  light  to  the  truth  ;  whereby  the  justices  did  plainly 
see,  that  it  was  envy,  and  they  divers  times  told  them  so. 

One  of  the  witnesses  was  a  young  priest,  who  con- 
fessed, he  had  not  meddled,  had  not  another  priest  sent 
for  him,  and  set  him  on  work.  The  other  witnesses 
were  two  priests  sons.  It  was  proved  there,  by  many 
that  heard  one  of  them  say,  if  he  had  power,  he  would 
make  George  deny  his  profession,  and  that  he  would 
take  away  his  life.  This  was  a  single  witness  to  one  of 
the  greatest  untruths  that  were  charged  against  George ; 
and  the  justices  told  him,  that  they  saw,  because  he 
could  not  take  away  his  life,  he  went  about  to  take  away 
his  liberty. 

There  was  one  priest  chosen  out  of  the  whole  num- 
ber, as  an  orator,  to  plead  against  us;  who  spared  no 
pains  to  show  forth  his  envy  against  the  truth;  and 
when  he  could  not  prevail,  he  went  down  in  a  rage; 
and  there  came  up  a  pack  of  them  into  the  room,  among 
whom  was  one  Jacus.  George  was  then  speaking  in 
the  room,  one  of  the  justices  having  wished  him,  if  he 
had  any  thing  to  say,  he  would  speak:  at  which  the 
said  priest  Jacus  was  in  such  a  rage,  that  he  broke  forth 
into  many  high  expressions  against  the  tEuth  spoken  by 
my  dear  brother  George ;  amongst  which,  this  was  one, 
that  the  letter  and  the  spirit  were  inseparable.  Here- 
upon the  justices  stood  up,  and  bid  him  prove  that,  be- 
fore he  went  any  further.  Then  he  seeing  himself 
caught,  would  have  denied  it ;  and  when  he  could  not  get 
off  so,  the  rest  of  the  priests  would  have  helped  him  to 
a  meaning  for  his  words;  but  the  justices  would/  admit 
no  other  meaning,  than  the  plain  sense  of  the  words,  but 
told  him,  he  had  laid  down  a  position,  and  it  was  fit  he 
should  prove  it;  pressing  the  matter  close  upon  him.— 


(    63  )' 


Whereupon  the  priests,  beuig  put  to  silence,  went  down 
in  a  greater  rage  than  before ;  and  some  of  them,  after 
they  were  gone  down,  being  asked  what  they  had  done, 
lied  and  said,  they  could  not  get  into  the  room;  thereby 
to  hide  their  shame,  and  keep  the  people  in  blindness. 

The  justices,  judge  Fell  and  Col.  West,  were  much 
convinced  of  the  truth,  and  did  set  up  justice  and  equity; 
and  have  much  siUinced  the  rage  of  the  people.  Many 
bitter  spirits  were  at  Lancaster,  to  see  the  event;  but 
went  home  and  cried,  the  priests  had  lost  the  day:  ever- 
lasting praises  be  to  him,  who  fought  the  battle  for  us, 
who  is  our  king  for  ever. 

There  were  others  called,  who  the  witnesses  confess- 
ed were  in  the  room,  when  the  things  charged  on  George 
were  said  to  have  been  spoken ;  but  they  all  as  one  man, 
denied,  that  any  such  words  were  spoken:  which  gave 
much  light  to  the  justices,  and  they  durst  trust  what 
they  had  witnessed,  for  they  said,  they  knew  many  of 
them  to  be  honest  men. 

There  was  a  warrant  granted  out  against  us  at  Ap- 
pleby;  but  justice  Benson  told  them,  it  was  not  according 
to  law;  and  so  it  ceased:  as  I  hear  he  is  a  faithful  man 
to  the  truth. 

The  priests  began  to  preach  against  the  justices,  and 
said,  they  were  not  to  meddle  in  these  things,  but  to 
end  controversy  betwixt  neighbour  and  neighbour.  They 
are  not  pleased  with  the  law,  because  it  is  not  in  the 
statute  to  imprison  us,  as  the  priest,  tthat  pleaded 
against  us,  said,  the  justice  bid  him,  go  put  it  into  the 
statute,  if  he  could ;  he  said,  it  should  want  no  will  of  his. 
They  are  much  afraid,  that  they  shall  lose  all.  They 
are  much  discontented  in  these  parts ;  and  some  of  them 
cry,  all  is  gone. 

Dear  friends,  dwell  in  patience,  and  wait  upon  the 
Lord,  who  will  do  his  own  work.  Look  not  at  man  in 
the  work,  nor  at  man  who  opposeth  the  work;  but  rest 
in  the  will  of  the  Lord,  that  so  ye  may  be  furnished  with 
patience,  both  to  do  and  to  sutfer  what  ye  shall  be  call- 
ed uHto,  that  your  eixl  in  all  things  may  be  his  praise. 
And  take  up  his  cross  freely,  which  keeps  low  the 
fleshy  mai^  that  Christ  may  be  set  up,  and  honoured  in 


(    64  ) 


all  things,  and  so  the  light  advanced  in  you,  and  the 
judgment  set  up,  which  mutt  give  sentence  against  all 
that  opposeth  the  truth,  that  the  captivity  may  be  led 
captive,  and  the  prisoner  set  free  to  seek  the  Lord;  that 
righteousness  may  rule  in  you,  and  peace  and  joy  may 
dwell  in  you,  wherein  consisteth  the  kingdom  of  the  fa- 
ther; to  whom  be  all  praise  for  ever. 

Dear  friends,  meet  often  together,  and  take  heed  of 
what  exalteth  it  self  above  its  brother;  but  keep  low, 
and  serve  one  another  in  love  for  the  Lord's  sake.  Let 
all  friends  know  how  it  is  with  us,  that  God  may  have 
the  praise  of  all. 

J.  N. 

Written  from  Killet,  the  30th  day  of  the  8th  month,  1652. 


TRUTH  CLEARED  FR03I  SCANDALS; 

13EING  JAMES  NAYLER's  ANSWER  AND  DECLARATION,  TOUCHING  S03IE 
THINGS  CHARGED  UPON  HIM  IN  THE  LANCASHIRE  PETITION. 

Having  heard  of  divers  untruths  cast  upon  me  by 
some  of  the  priests  in  their  high  places,  though  1  stand 
only  to  the  Lord  in  respect  of  myself;  yet  lest  any  that 
love  the  truth,  should  be  led  to  speak  evil  of  the  things 
they  know  not,  I  shall  lay  open  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  me 
revealed,  touching  those  things  whereof  I  have  been 
falsely  accused. 

L  Concerning  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  eternal  word 
of  God,  by  whom  all  things  were  made  and  are  uphol- 
deii,  who  was  before  all  time,  but  manifested  in  time  for 
the  recovery  of  lost  man ;  which  word  became  flesh',  and 
dwelt  amongst  the  saints,  who  is  the  same  yesterday, 
and  to  day,  and  for  ever ;  who  did,  and  doth  dwell  in  the 
saints;  wl^o  sufYered,  and  rose  again,  and  ascended  into 
Heaven,  an^  is  set  at  the  right  hand  of  God;  to  whom 
all  power  is  given  in  Heaven  and  in  earth,'  who  lilleth 
all  places;  he  is  the  light  of  the  world ;  but  known  to 
none,  but  those  who  receive  and  follow  him;  and  those 
he  leads  up  to  God,  out  of  all  the  ways,  works,  and  wor- 
ships of  the  world,  by  his  pure  light  in  them,  Whereby 
he  reveals  the  man  of  sin,  and  by  his  power  casts  him 

aJudelO.  Re.19.13.  1  John  1.  1,2, 3,  4, 5.  lPet,1.25.  JohnJ^.  Eph.5.  30. 
«:1.2l,22.  Johns.  12.  2Thes.  2.  8.   2  Cor.  6. 16.  1  Cor.  3.  laiiP^ 


(    65  ) 


out,  and  so  prepares  the  bodies  of  the  saints  a  fit  temple 
for  the  pure  God  to  dwell  in,  with  whom  dwells  no  un- 
clean things.  And  thus  he  reconciles  God  and  man,  and 
the  image  of  God,  which  in  purity  and  holiness  is  re- 
newed; and  th#  image  of  satan,  which  is  all  sin  and 
uncleanness,  is  defaced/  And  none  can  witness  re- 
demption further  than  Christ  is  thus  revealed  in  them, 
to  set  them  free  from  sin;^  which  (/hrist  I  witness  to  be 
revealed  in  me  in  measure,  Gal.  1.  Hi.  2  Cor.  13.  5. 
Col.  1.  27. 

2.  Concerning  the  Scriptures,  that  they  are  a  true 
declaration  of  that  word  which  was  in  them,  that  gave 
or  spake  them  forth,  and  are  of  no  private  interpreta- 
tion; but  were  given  forth  to  be  read  and  fulfilled  in 
the  saints,  as  they  were  given  forth  by  the  holy  ghost, 
without  adding  or  diminisiung,  and  were  not  given  forth 
for  men  to  make  a  trade  upon^  to  get  money  by ;'  but  as 
they  are,  they  are  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof, 
for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the 
man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto 
every  good  work.  But  they  who  trade  in  the  letter,  and 
are  ignorant  of  the  mystery,  deny  all  perfection.  And 
none  can  rightly  understand  the  scriptures,  but  they  who 
read  them  with  the  same  spirit  that  gave  them  forth, 
for  the  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  spirit 
of  God;  for  they  are  spiritually  discerned. 

3.  Concerning  baptism.  The  true  baptism  is  that  of 
the  spirit,  with  the  holy  ghost  and  with  fire;  baptized 
by  one  spirit  into  one  body:  not  tlie  washing  away  of 
the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the  answer  of  a  good  con- 
science towards  God,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jeslis  Christ: 
without  which,  no  other  baptism  can  save  us,  they  being 
but  figures  or  shadows ;  but  this  baptism  of  Christ  is  the 
substance,  whereby  we  are  baptized  into  his  death;  and 
those  who  are  baptized  into  Christ,  have  put  on  Christ.'^ 

4.  Concerning  the  Lord's  supper,  the  true  supper  of 
the  Lord,  is  the  spiritual  eating  and  drinking  of  the  flesh 
and  blood  of  Christ  spiritually,  which  the  spiritual  man 

aCor.5.18,19.  Col. 3.10.  bJohn  8.3436.  clJohnl,3.5.  2Pet.l.21.  Deaut, 
1.2.  Rfcv.  22.18.  Tim. 3. 16.17.  d  1.  Cor.  2.14,15.  John3.ll.  Acts  1.5.  1  Cor. 
12.13.  lPet.3.  2.  Col.2.12.  Gal.3.27.  Hom.6.3.  Mat26.2e,28.  J^6.5I,a3, 
54,55,56. 

9 


(    66  ) 


only  eateth,  and  is  thereby  nourished  up  unto  eternal 
life.  Without  which  eating  there  can  be  no  life  in  the 
creature,  profess  what  you  will.  And  all  who  eat  of 
this  bread,  and  drink  of  this  cup,  have  real  communion 
with  Christ  the  head,  and  also  one  with  another,  as 
members,  and  are  all  of  one  heart,  and  one  mind,  a  corn^- 
plete  body  in  Christ.'  Now  the  world,  who  take  only 
the  outward  signs,  and  are  not  brought  into  a  discerning 
of  the  Lord's  body,  eat  and  drink  damnation  to  them- 
selves, and  become  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
Christ;  and  calls  this  a  communion,  but  lives  in  envy, 
strife  and  debate,  fighting,  and  going  to  law  one  with 
another,  for  earthly  things. 

5.  Concerning  the  resurrection.  That  all  shall  arise 
to  give  ail  account,  and  receive  at  the  last  day,  according 
to  their  works  done  in  the  flesh,  whether  good  or  evil: 
these  bodies  that  are  dust,  shall  turn  to  dust,  but  God 
shall  give  a  body  as  pleaseth  him.^  That  which  is  sown 
in  corruption,  shall  be  raised  in  incorruption ;  it  is  sown 
a  natural  body,  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body:  and  as  we 
have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly,  so  we  shall  bear 
the  image  of  the  Heavenly:  but  flesh  and  blood  cannot 
inherit  the  kingdom  of  Heaven;  neither  doth  corruption 
inherit  incorruption,  for  we  sliall  all  be  changed.'  But 
they  who  cannot  witness  the  first  resurrection  within 
themselves,  know  nothing  of  the  second,  but  by  hear- 
say: and  therefore  say  some  of  your  teachers,  that 
Christ  is  in  Heaven  with  a  carnal  body.*^  Now  that 
Christ,  who  is  the  first  fruits,  should  be  there  with  a 
carnal  body,  and  the  saints  with  a  spiritual  body,  is  not 
proportionable. 

6.  Concerning  magistracy ;  that  it  is  an  ordinance  of 
God,  ordained  for  the  punishment  of  evil  doers,  and  an 
encouragement  of  those  that  do  well.*'  Where  justice 
and  righteousness  is  the  head,  and  ruleth  without  par- 
tiality, that  land  is  kept  in  peace;  and  those  who  judge 
for  the  Lord,  1  honour  as  my  own  life,^  not  w^ith  a  flat- 
tering honour  of  putting  off  the  hat,  and  bowing  of  the 

a  1  Cor.  10.  IG.  1  Cor.  11.  24,  25.  Col.  2. 10-  Acts  4.  32.  1  Cor.  11.  27.  28.  29.— 
John  5.  20.  bl  Cor.  15.38.  c  Cor.  15.42,  43,  44,  46,50.51.  d  Rev.  20.  G.  Phil. 3.  21 
1  Cor.  15.  20.    clCor.  15.  47.    Col.  1.  15.    fRoni.  13.  3.  f.TuHclG. 


V    67  ) 


fcne€,  whicli  is  the  lionoiir  of  the  world,  having  mens 
persons  in  admiration,  because  of  advantage,  for  self- 
ends,  but  from  my  heart  for  conscience  sake,  as  to  the 
power  which  is  of  God,  and  not  to  mens  persons:  for 
the  Scripture  saith,  he  that  respects  persons  commits  sin, 
and  is  convinced  of  the  law,  as  are  transgressors/  And 
the  apostle  James  commands  the  saints,  not  to  have  the 
faith  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Lord  of  glor/,  with 
respect  of  persons;  and /aith,  such  are  partial  in  them- 
selves, and  become  judges  of  evil  thoughts.'  .  And  saith 
Paul,  let  every  soul  be  subject  to  the  higher  powers;  for, 
saith  he,  there  is  no  power  but  of  God:  the  powers  that 
be,  are  ordained  of  God,  not  of  man:  and  that  whoso- 
ever resisteth  the  power,  resisteth  the  ordinan^ce  of  God : 
and  saith,  we  must  needs  be  subject  for  conscience  sake/ 
And  therefore,  though  the  prophets  and  saints  were  of- 
ten sent  by  the  Lord,  to  pronounce  judgment  against 
unjust  men,  who  had  the  power  committed  to  them,  and 
did  not  judge  for  God,  but  for  self-ends;  yet  they  never 
attempted  to  raise  any  violence  against  them,  but  used 
all  means  to  persuade  them  to  do  justly,  love  mercy,  and 
walk  humble  with  God,  that  they  might  be  established, 
and  the  wrath  of  God  turned  aw^ay  from  them:^  for  those 
that  be  of  God  cannot  rejoice  in  the  des'truction  of  any, 
but  would  have  all  to  turn  to  God,  and  find  mercy/ 

7.  Concerning  the  ministry.  The  true  ministers  of 
Jesus  Christ  have  always  been,  and  are  still,  such  as 
came  not  by  the  will  of  man,  but  by  the  will  of  God; 
neither  are  they  fitted  for  that  work  by  any  thing 
of  man,  but  by  God  alone;  for  the  true  ministry  is  the 
gift  of  Jesus  Christ,  given  for  the  perfecting  of  the 
saints,  and  needs  no  addition  of  huznane  helps  and  learn- 
ing,' but  as  the  work  is  spiritual,  and  of  the  Lord,  so  they 
are  spiritually  fitted  only  by  the  Lord.  And  therefore 
he  chose  herdsmen,  fishermen  and  ploughmen,  and  such 
like.  And  as  he  gave  them  an  immediate  call,  without 
the  leave  of  man;^  so  befitted  them  immediately,  with- 
out the  help  of  man:  and  as  they  received  the  gift  freely, 
so  they  were  to  give  freely.    And  whenever  they  found 

aRom.13.5.  b  James  2.  5.  Ver.  1,  2.3.  4.  c  Roiu.  13. 1.  5.  d  ^rlc.  6.  8.  elPet.l, 
12.    Eph.4.  11,12.    fl  Cor.  12.7.    jPet.4,10.11.   Gal.  11. 11, 12, 16. 


(    68  ) 


any  of  tiie  false  ministers,  who  taught  for  hire,  tiiey  cri- 
ed out  against  them,  and  pronounced  woes  against  them, 
aud  showed  them,  that  they  lay  in  iniquity,  because 
they  thought  that  the  gift  of  God  could  be  bought  and 
sold  for  money.  And  Christ  calls  them  hirelings,  and 
saith,  they  care  not  for  the  sheep.  And  Micah  criefe 
out  against  the  priests  that  taught  for  hire,  and  saith, 
they  build  up  Sion  with  blood,  and  Jerusalem  with  ini- 
quity.^ And  Jeremiah  cried  out  against  the  priests  in 
his  days,  that  bear  rule  by  the  prophets  means,  and  calls 
it  an  horrible  thing,  and  saith,  that  from  the  least  of  them 
to  the  greatest,  they  are  all  given  to  covetousness.^ — 
And  Isaiah  cried  out  of  such  in  his  days,  and  calls 
them  gre-edy  dogs,  that  can  never  have  enough ;  and, 
saith  he,  they  all  look  for  their  gain  from  their  quarter.' 
And  Peter  saith  of  such  in  his  days  as  should  come,  that 
they  through  covetousness  should  make  merchandize  of 
the  people,  and  saith,  they  have  hearts  exercised  with 
covetous  practices,  who  have  forsaken  the  right  way, 
and  have  followed  the  way  of  Balaam,  who  loved  the  wa- 
ges of  unrighteousness.  And  Jude  cries,  woe  unto  them, 
for  they  go  on  in  the  way  of  Cain,  and  run  greedily  after 
the  error  of  Balaam,  for  rewards.  But  those  that  were 
sent  out  by  Christ,  counted  it  their  reward  to  make  the 
gospel  without  charge;  neither  ever  had  they  any  set 
means,  but  went  about,  having  no  certain  dwelling  place  ; 
neither  were  masters,  but  servants  to  all  for  Christ's 
sake ;  nor  ever  went  to  law  for  tithes,  or  any  other  earth- 
ly thing,  but  sufff^red  persecution.'  And  as  always  he 
that  was  after  the  flesh,  persecuted  him  that  was  after 
the  spirit;  even  so  it  is  now. 

Now  all  people,  try  your  priests  by  the  scriptures, 
whether  they  are.  of  God,  or  of  the  world;  and  never 
think  to  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord  from  their  mouths, 
who  walk  contrary  to  the  Scriptures;  for  such  were 
never  sent  of  God:  for  had  they  been  sent  of  God,  they 
would  abide  in  his  doctrine.  And  John  saith,  such  have 
not  God,  but  he  that  abides  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ, 

a  Mat.  10.  8.  Acts  8.  20.  John  10.13.  Micha.  3.  10.  b  Jer.  5.  30.  and  6.  13.  c  Isai. 
S6.10, 11.  (1 2  Pet.  2- 14, 15.  2Cor.  11.15.  Judtll.  1  Cor.  .  16.17, 18.  e  I  Cor  9, 4 
It.  G&1.4.19. 


C    69  ) 


liath  both  tlie  father  and  the  son.  And  if  there  conie 
any  to  you,  and  bring  not  this  doctrine,  you  are  forbidden 
to  receive  them  into  your  houses,  or  bid  them  God  speed : 
for  if  you  do,  you  are  partakers  of  their  evil  deeds/ 
And  unto  the  wicked,  5aith  God,  what  hast  thou  to  do 
to  declare  my  statues,  or  that  thou  shouldst  take  my 
covenant  into  thy  mouth  ;  seeing  thou  hatest  instruction^ 
and  casteth  my  words  behind  thy  back,  and  art  a  parta- 
ker with  the  thief,  the  adulterer,  evil-speakiog,  slander- 
ing and  deceit ;  and  such  do  these  things,  think  God 
to  be  like  themselves.  But  I  will  reprove  thee,  and  set 
them  in  order  before  thine  eyes.'' 

1653.  J,  N. 


AN  EPISTLE  TO  SEVERAL  FRIENDS  ABOUT  WAKEFIELD. 

James  Nayler,  a  prisoner  of  Jesus  Christ,  unto  all 
that  love  the  appearance  of  our  Lord  Jesu^  Christ  every 
where,  grace  and  peace  be  multiplied  from  God  the 
father,  and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

My  dear  hearts,  you  whom  the  Lord  hath  manifested 
so  much  love  unto,  as  to  call  you  out  of  sin  and  death, 
and  the  world,  all  the  delights  and  pleasures  of  the 
world  which  fade  away,  up  to  himself;  where  is  joy 
unspeakable,  pleasures  and  riches  that  endure  for  ever- 
more. 

Dear  friends,  watch  and  be  sober,  that  you  may  hear 
the  voice  of  your  beloved  when  he  calleth,  and  let  not 
the  precious  proffers  of  the  love  of  God  be  tendered  in 
vain.  While  you  have  an  ear  open  to  the  world,  yow 
cannot  hear  the  voice  of  God ;  so  that  you  have  been 
made  to  groan  under  it.  How  long  have  you  been  de- 
ceived by  it?  All  your  time  promising  peace,  fulness, 
and  satisfaction:  but  have  been  brought  to  cry  out  of 
oppression  and  deceit.  And  your  cries  are  come  before 
•  the  Lord  of  Sabbaths,  who  is  your  rest;  and  he  is  now 
appeared  to  deliver  you,  and  set  you  free  from  bondage, 
that  you  may  serve  him  alone. 

And  now  take  heed  of  consulting  with  your  old  mas- 


alJohn2,3,4,5,  6.   John  9, 10.  2  John  9,10, 11.   b  Psalm  50, 16, 17,   Psalm  50,21 


(    70  ) 


ter:  hath  the  Lord  been  so  merciful  unto  you,  las  that  he 
hath  set  your  faces  out  of  Sodom  and  Egypt,  towards 
the  promised  land?  Oh!  take  heed  of  looking  back, 
lest  you  be  taken  captive,  and  I^d  back  again;  and  so 
you  come  short  of  redemption,  and  your  faith  fail  you, 
and  so  you  come  short  of  the  promise ;  for  unbelief  can- 
not enter  into  the  rest.  But  you,  dear  friends,  put  on 
resolution,  put  on  strength,  be  valiant  for  your  freedom, 
cast  off  every  weight,  follow  your  captain,  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who,  for  the  joy  set  before  him, ^endured 
the  cross,  despised  the  shame,  and  so  entered  into  rest 
and  glory. 

Take  heed  of  halting  between  God  and  the  world: 
what  agreement  can  there  be,  or  what  peace  while  you 
are  married  to  the  world  ?  Your  thoughts  turn  in  thither, 
and  you  are  adulterated  from  God,  who  gives  you  all 
good  things,  as  so  many  tokens  of  his  love.  Hereby  is 
the  broken  language  brought  forth,  and  you  cannot 
speak  the  pure  language  of  the  land  of  rest.  And 
while  you  give  way  to  that  in  you,  which  leads  you  to 
look  back  to  what  is  behind  you,  you  keep  yourselves 
in  the  wilderness  and  darkness,  and  lose  your  way,  and 
know  not  where  you  are;  grieving  the  holy  spirit  of  the 
Lord,  which  hath  appeared  unto  you  to  guide  you. 

But  [O  friends!]  mind  your  guide  and  follow  him; 
arise,  shine,  your  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  is  risen  upon  you;  the  night  is  far  spent,  the  day 
is  at  hand,  even  the  day  of  Sion's  deliverance:  arise, 
come  away,  all  you  that  love  her,  come  off  from  the 
world  and  wordly  things,  come  into  the  life,  lie  no  Ion- 
ger  in  death  and  dead  things.  Awake,  thou  that  sleep- 
est,  and  stand  up  from  the  dead,  that  Christ  may  give 
thee  light:  come  forth,  come  forth  of  all  created  things, 
witness  your  redemption  from  the  world  that  you  are 
redeemed  from  the  earth  up  to  God,  out  of  all  kindreds, 
tongues,  people  and  nations,  to  reign  as  kings  and  priests  , 
for  ever,  above  the  world,  sin  and  death,  triumphing  and 
treading  upon  all  that  would  take  you  captive.  This 
is  the  day  of  your  deliverance,  own  it  with  the  loss  of 
all  fading  pleasures,  make  it  appear  to  all  the  world, 
this  is  the  day  you  waited  for:  even  the  day  of  your 


(    71  ) 


joy,  but  of  the  world's  sorrow:  a  day  of  blackness  and 
gloominess;  a  day  of  fear  and  trouble  to  them  that  op- 
press you;  a  day  wherein  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ 
shall  be  exalted,  and  all  the  kingdoms  and  powers  of 
the  earth  shaken;  a  day  wherein  the  Lord  will  avenge 
the  power  of  him  that  is  too  strong  for  you.  Rejoice, 
rejoice,  ye  meek  of  the  earth,  shout  for  joy,  ye  poor 
despised  ones,  whom  your  brethren  have  trodden  upon, 
and  have  cast  you  out,  and  you  have  been  made  their 
mocking  stock  for  the  truth's  sake;  sing  and  rejoice, 
the  voice  of  a  king  is  amongst  you,  and  he  will  marry 
you  to  himself  in  righteousness,  purity  and  holiness, 
and  will  rejoice  over  you,  as  a  bridegroom  over  the 
bride,  and  you  shall  be  for  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand 
of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of  your 
God. 

O  my  dear  hearts!  my  desire  to  God  for  you  all,  is, 
that  you  might  come  to  see  what  unspeakable  riches  is 
laid  up  for  you  in  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  hid  from  all 
flesh,  neither  can  they  see  it  who  live  after  the  flesh: 
and  while  they  continue  their  love  to  the  world  and 
worldly  things,  they  keep  out  the  manifestation  of  the 
father's  love,  for  their  hearts  cannot  receive  both. 

Now  shew  yourselves  wise  men,  choose  that  which  is 
eternal:  here  is  light  and  life  tendered  to  you  in  Jesus 
Christ,  freely  out  of  the  father's  love:  freely  receive 
life  and  love,  and  shew  forth  life  and  love  to  God  again, 
by  giving  up  to  him  all  you  have,  and  all  you  are  for 
Christ's  sake ;  that  so  you  may  come  to  receive  all  again 
with  Christ,  ^vho  is  the  fulness  of  the  father's  love,  and 
in  him  are  all  good  things  needful  for  this  life,  and  that 
which  is  to  come,  even  the  earnest  of  your  inheritance, 
which  none  can  take  from  you;  which  being  received, 
you  shall  never  hunger  more,  having  a  well  spring  with- 
in, even  the  witness  of  eternal  life  and  love.    And  as 
Christ  appears,  who  is  our  life  and  love;  so  shall  life 
and  love  appear,  spring,  blossom,  and  bring  forth  fruit 
towards  God  and  man:  that  so,  being  raised  by  him 
from  death  and  dead  works,  you  may  henceforth  live 
unto  God:  and  being  brought  into  oneness  with  him, 
and  purity,  and  holiness,  you  may  be  one  amongst  your- 


(    72  ) 


selves,  of  one  heart  and  one  mind,  speaking  one  and  the 
§elf-sanne  thing;  and  having  the  same  care  one  for  ano- 
ther, as  for  yourselves.  And  take  heed  that  there  be 
not  in  any  of  you  a  principle  of  self-love,  which  will 
lead  to  separation  and  division,  casting  a  stumbling 
block  in  the  way  of  the  simple;  and  so  they  that  are 
weak,  may  be  defiled  and  turned  back  into  the  world. 

And  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  that  you  mark  them  that 
once  set  their  faces  towards  Sion,  but  not  being  willing 
to  deny  the  world,  and  take  up  the  cross,  have  consulted 
with  flesh  and  blood,  and  turned  back  into  Egypt  again; 
of  such  take  heed,  knowing,  that  the  same  spirit  that 
hath  wrought  in  them  deceitfully,  will  not  cease  to 
work  by  them  to  deceive  others,  to  maintain  its  own 
kingdom.  But  you,  standing  fast  in  the  pure  light  of 
Christ,  shall  see  whither  those  return,  and  the  cause  of 
their  returnings,  and  that  the  end  of  such  is  worse  than 
the  beginning:  but  there  will  be  such,  that  they  who  are 
approved  may  be  made  manifest.  But  you  my  breth- 
ren, be  ye  so  far  from  following  such,  that  their  falling 
away,  may  cause  you  to  watch,  and  search  by  what 
power  you  stand;  and  so  a  pure  fear  may  be  preserved 
in  you,  by  which  you  may  be  kept  in  the  way  that  leads 
to  the  crown  which  is  immortal;  for  it  is  he  that  over- 
comes that  must  wear  the  crown:  wherefore  faint  not, 
nor  think  any  thing  hard  the  Lord  calls  you  unto;  no- 
thing must  suffer,  but  that  which  is  to  die,  that  your  souls 
may  live.  Oh!  your  light  affliction  worketh  for  you  a 
far  more  exceeding  weight  of  glory,  while  you  keep 
your  eye  to  that  which  is  invisible.  Wherefore  give  up 
yourselves  to  his  will  in  all  things. 

Stand  in  the  will  of  God  in  your  present  condition, 
you  are  my  joy  in  the  Lord,  let  my  bowels  be  refreshed 
to  hear  of  your  steadfastness  and  growth  in  the  truth. 
Take  heed  of  propounding  ends  to  yourselves  in  any 
thing,  for  that  leads  out  of  the  way  of  God,  and  gives 
way  to  your  own  wisdom;  and  so  you  seek  to  preserve 
that  alive  which  is  appointed  for  death,  and  so  you 
maintain  war  against  God,  and  know  it  not.  And  in 
this  condition  you  can  have  no  peace,  while  the  ene- 
mies are  in  arms  against  your  peace.    Oh!  dear  friends. 


(    73  ) 


you  are  in  my  heart,  iny  prayer  to  God  for  you  is,  that 
you  may  be  kept  blameless  to  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Clirist,  blessed  for  ever. 

My  fellow  prisoner,  and  dear  companion  in  the  Lord. 
(F.  H.)  salutes  you  all.  Cease  not  to  pray  for  us,  that 
we  may  be  kept  to  his  praise,  who  hath  counted  us 
worthy  to  suffer  for  his  name.  We  are  well,  and  in 
great  peace,  kept  in  our  father's  love  above  all.  Wc 
are  often  brought  to  stand,  and  wonder  how  we  are  kept 
in  the  midst  of  the  fire,  and  not  consumed  ;  and  the  more 
that  the  enemy  rages,  the  more  are  we  kept  in  peace 
w^ithin.  Here  are  strange  devices  used  to  ensnare  us, 
to  get  aught  against  us  (true  or  false)  but  all  is  ordered 
by  a  power  the  world  knows  not.  God  is  our  strength, 
rejoice  with  us,  all  dear  friends,  and  praise  his  name 
for  evermore,  for  he  is  worthy,  for  his  mercy  endures 
for  ever.  James  Nayler. 

A  prisoner  at  Appleby,  ic  Westmoreland,  for  the  truth's  sake,  1653. 


TO  ALL  DEAR    BSETHKEX  A3fD  FRIENDS    IN  H0LDERNE5S  AND  IX  TKE 
EAST  PAETS  OF  YORKSUIKE. 

Dear  Friends, — I  rejoice  in  you,  as  you  are  entered 
into  the  love  of  the  truth,  and  have  owned  the  voice 
that  calls  out  of  tiie  darkness  that  is  over  all  the  earth, 
to  set  your  faces  towards  Sion,  the  city  of  everlasting 
light.  And  now  mind  your  way,  and  the  light  that  is 
given  to  guide  you  in  the  way,  to  keep  your  eye  to  the 
light,  that  it  may  lead  you  through  all  the  visible  things 
of  the  world:  and  as  you  pass  through,  you  may  stand 
single  in  the  mind  unto  God,  not  turning  to  the  right  ot 
left  hand,  where  lies  the  temptation;  nor  looking  back, 
which  lays  you  open  to  be  assaulted  afresh  by  those 
evils  you  had  once  escaped  from;  but  keeping  the  cyw 
towards  the  mark,  pass  on,  leaving  and  forgetting  what 
is  behind,  and  treading  and  trampling  under  your  feet, 
what  the  enemy  shall  lay  as  stumbling  blocks  in  your 
way,  which  your  carnal  eyes,  or  ears,  or  hearts  would 
be  closing  with,  for  the  temptation  lies  in  the  carnal 
things,  and  there  is  the  bondage  of  the  creature  to 
things  that  are  corrupt:  from  which  bondage  from  sin 

10 


(    '4  J 


and  corruption  the  Lord  is  now  appeared,  that  in  the 
light  he  may  redeem  and  lead  out  of  it  all  that  will  own 
and  follow  him. 

And  this  light  and  redemption  is  in  his  son,  whom  he 
is  about  to  exalt,  in  which  exaltation  a  strange  and 
mighty  work  is  to  be  brought  to  pass,  whereat  all  that 
stand  not  in  his  counsel  and  fear,  and  to  whom  he  shall 
not  reveal  his  secrets,  shall  be  offended:  for  all  that  is 
exalted,  shall  be  laid  low  and  debased;  the  wisdom  of 
the  wise  shall  come  to  nought,  and  the  understanding  of 
the  prudent  ones  shall  be  hid:  riches  and  honours  shall 
fall  to  dust,  from  whence  they  came,  and  the  worship  of 
the  world  shall  become  filthiness,  the  Gods  of  the  hea- 
then shall  be  famished  with  looking  for  worship,  but 
shall  get  none;  and  the  strongest  of  them  shall  not  be 
able  to  deliver  himself:  for  the  Lord  will  bring  down  all 
heights  and  mountains  into  the  valleys;  for  in  the  val~ 
ley  of  Jehosaphat  he  will  plead  with  all  flesh,  which 
have  scattered  the  seed  of  the  covenant. 

And  now,  dear  friends,  here  is  your  peace  and  bles- 
sedness, that  you  silence  all  flesh,  and  cease  from  your 
own  wisdom,  and  give  over  your  imaginations  about  the 
things  of  God;  come  out  of  the  love  of  the  wotld,  and 
arise  out  of  all  visible  things,  and  prepare  to  meet  the 
Lord:  cast  off  all  your  idols  that  have  had  your  hearts, 
and  put  off  the  stumbling  blocks  of  your  iniquities  from 
before  your  faces,  and  give  up  all  that  will  not  that  he 
should  reign  over  them,  that  his  enemies  may  be  your 
enemies:  for  in  judgment  and  righteousness  is  he  come 
out,  to  be  avenged  upon  the  unrighteous  seed.  And  now 
stand  in  the  light,  that  a  separation  may  be  made  in  you, 
the  precious  from  the  vile,  that  a  true  Saviour  may  arise^ 
that  you  may  know  your  calling  and  election,  what  is 
4called,  and  what  you  are  to  come  out  of,  lest  you 
stay  in  any  of  that  to  which  the  plagues  are;  for  this  is 
the  cause  of  your  suffering,  not  discerning  in  the  pure 
wisdom,  what  that  antichrist  or  exalted  spirit  is,  that 
is  got  into  the  seat  of  God,  and  shews  himself  to  be  as 
God,  whose  kingdom  stands  in  the  wisdom,  glory  and 
riches  of  the  world,  whereat  all  that  know  not  the  true 
God  in  spirit  ask  counsel. 


(    75  ) 


Therefore,  dear  friends,  look  not  out  into  the  visible 
things,  for  there  he  is  ready  to  present  to  you  false  voi- 
ces and  visions,  lying  wonders,  tq  lead  out  the  vain 
mind  into  the  liberty  and  boasting  of  high  things,  in 
words  without  power:  but  while  such  speak  of  liberty, 
they  are  in  bondage,  in  mind,  to  corrupt  and  fading 
things.  And  while  these  are  head  in  the  creature,  there 
is  not  redemption:  for  the  bonds  of  iniquity  are  unloos- 
ed, and  the  pure  seed  is  oppressed,  aiul  the  plagues 
must  pass  upon  that  nature.  Therefore  sink  down  into 
the  sufferings  and  death,  that  you  may  find  the  door 
whereat  to  enter;  for  there  is  a  vale  of  tears  to  pass 
through.  You  shall  find  your  well  springs  in  him, 
where  you  shall  drink  of  the  water  of  life,  and  find  re- 
freshment, and  grow  from  strength  to  strength,  till  you 
come  up  to  Sion.  Stand  fast,  take  heed  of  words  with- 
out life,  spoken  from  the  comprehensions,  for  that  feeds 
not  the  pure  seed,  but  feeds  the  wisdom  which  is  below, 
and  the  itching  ears,  ajid  so  the  pure  is  covered  with 
earth,  and  the  fowls  of  the  air  are  fed,  and  no  fruit  is 
brought  forth  to  perfection.  And  take  heed  of  that  na- 
ture that  would  know  more  than  God  is  willing  to  reveal : 
for  you  shall  find  tliat  unwilling  to  obey  what  it  knows: 
and  take  heed  of  that  which  desires  to  appear  before 
men  to  be  commended,  for  that  seldom  deserves  praise 
of  God.  And  let  a  godly  conversation  declare  what  is 
within ;  and  know  one  another  in  spirit,  and  not  in  word, 
and  meet  often  together,  and  wait  upon  God,  (for  his 
teaching  alone)  in  a  cross  to  your  own  wills,  for  therein  is 
the  secrets  of  God  revealed.  Let  love  abound  in  you 
one  towards  another,  without  being  partial. 

And  I  beseech  you  by  the  love  of  God,  that  you  halt 
not  between  God  and  the  world;  but  as  you  profess 
that  you  are  not  of  the  world,  so  let  your  conversation 
be  out  of  its  fashions,  customs,  traditions  and  covetous 
practices,  that  it  may  appear  you  are  marked  out  for 
the  Lord's,  and  that  you  are  not  ashamed  to  own  that 
which  differs,  and  so  walk,  as  not  to  cast  an  offence  on 
the  gospel,  that  you  become  not  a  scorn  to  fools;  but 
let  wisdom  be  justified  of  her  children.  And  take  heed 
of  that  which  would  be  exalted  above  others,,  teaching 


(    7(5  ) 


and  talking  of  things  without  life.  And  you  that  would 
be  counted  somebody,  let  such  first  learn  to  wash  the 
feet  of  them  they  would  be  above;  and  he  that  would 
be  greatest,  let  him  be  servant  to  all,  for  it  is  the  hum- 
ble, and  not  the  high  spirits  that  are  taught  of  God,  and 
such  so  walk,  as  their  lives  and  practices  teach  and 
judge  all  vain,  light  and  haughty  spirits.  And  mind  how 
you  grow  out  of  the  earth,  and  out  of  that  which  is  in 
the  enmity:  and  until  you  be  brought  out  of  the  love  of 
all  visible  lUings,  and  wholly  infolded  into  the  love  of 
God,  you  cannot  witness  redemption,  nor  receive  the 
true  joy  that  ariseth  in  the  manifestation  of  the  Love ; 
for  it  is  only  he  that  is  brought  up  out  of  the  death  to 
reign  over  it,  whose  heart  is  come  out  of  the  unrighteous 
mammon,  who  is  entered  into  the  kingdom  of  righteous- 
ness, joy  and  peace.  And  as  you  arise  out  of  the  earth- 
ly bondage,  you  shall  witness  the  glorious  liberty,  and  so 
come  to  know  your  own  measures,  every  one  in  particu- 
lar to  improve  it,  and  not  to  boast  above  it  in  another 
man's  line:  and  so  you  will  come  to  see  by  what  power 
you  stand  in  your  warfare,  how  far  you  are  conquerors, 
and  who  is  your  enemy  at  present;  and  so  be  able  to 
give  an  account  in  yourselves  of  your  faith,  and  how 
you  grow  from  faith  to  faith. 

xAnd,  dear  friends,  watch  over  one  another,  exhort, 
reprove,  admonish  in  pure  love  and  meekness  of  spirit, 
lest  you  also  be  tempted;  and  all  know,  that  you  are 
set  as  a  city  on  a  hill,  as  signs  to  this  generation:  there- 
fore lift  up  your  light  to  all  the  world,  that  all  mouths 
may  be  stopped,  and  hearts  convinced;  so  that  all  that 
see  you,  may  see  you  to  be  children  of  light,  and  being 
judged  by  you,  may  be  ashamed  of  their  deeds  of  dark- 
ness: for  great  is  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  blessed  are 
they  that  are  found  faithful  in  it,  and  what  is  committed 
to  them. 

Farewell,  dear  hearts,  and  the  Lord  God  Almighty 
bless,  prosper,  and  preserve  you  pure  and  clear  unto 
his  kingdom.  Amen. 

My  love  in  the  Lord  salutes  you  all,  and  if  my  fa- 
ther please,  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  your  faces  in  the 


(    77  ) 

tlesii;  but  his  will  is  my  peace,  who  is  blessed  for  ever.- 
niore. 

A  lover  of  your  souls,  James  Nayler. 

Written  from  Nuby,  the  last  day  of  the  seventh  month,  1G53. 

The  work  of  the  Lord  is  great  in  these  parts,  and  he 
carries  it  on  with  a  high  hand,  iiaving  got  himself  the. 
victory. 

Praise  the  Lord  with  us,  all  tliat  know  him,  who  is 
worthy,  even  him  alone  for  ever. 


THE  POWER  A^D  GLORY  OF  THE  LORD,  SIIINIXC.  OUT  OF  THE  NORTH. 
OR,   THE   DAY  OF  THE   LORD  DAWNOG ;  M  HEREIN  THE  TRUE  LKillT 
IS  HOLDEN  FORTH,   TO   ALL   WHO  DESIRE  TO   WALK  IN  THE  DAY. 
WITH  A  WARNING  TO   THE    PEOPLE  OF  ENGLAND,  OF  ALL 
SORTS,  NOT  TO  OPPOSE   CHRIST  IN  HIS  KINGDOM. 


Then  spake  Jesus  again  unto  them,  saying,  I  am  the  light  of  the  world;  he 
that  followeth  me  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  bnt  shall  have  the  light  oi 
life,  John  8.  12. 

Therefore,  behold,  I  will  proceed  to  do  a  marvellous  work  among  this  peo- 
ple, even  a  marvellous  work  and  a  wonder:  for  the  wisdom  of  their  wise 
men  shall  perish,  and  the  understanding  of  their  prudent  men  shall  be 
hid,  Isai.  29.  14. 


All  people  every  where,  who  profess  that  you  love 
God,  and  have  a  desire  to  walk  in  his  ways,  and  are  in 
this  dark  world,  w^andering  to  and  fro,  enquiring  the 
way,  how  you  may  come  out  of  this  great  city,  which  is 
Sodom  and  Egypt,  where  filthiness  and  darkness  rules, 
and  is  heard,  wherein  the  Lord  is  crucified,  and  all  the 
righteous  blood  hath  been  shed,  and  yourselves  are  kept 
in  bondage  to  sin  and  unrighteousness,  blindness  and 
thick  darkness,  and  know  not  where  you  are,  nor  the 
way  out  of  this  condition ;  though  many  of  you  liave 
been  enquiring  after  the  way  so  many  years,  seeking 
after  your  blind  guides,  who  are  not  the  way,  neither  in 
the  way  themselves,  and  so  have  forsaken  the  fountain 
of  light,  and  have  run  after,  and  have  been  led  by  them 
who  are  in  the  same  darkness  with  you.  Now  stand 
still  a  while,  and  see  where  you  are,  and  what  you  have 
been  doing.  You  pretend  as  to  the  kingdom  of  God. 
but  you  are  not  seeking  where  it  is:  you  have  been  seek- 

aRev.ll.  8. 


(    78  ) 


ing  without,  but  it  is  within  you ;  and  there  you  must 
find  it,  if  ever  you  find  it.  It  is  not  to  be  found  in  forms 
and  customs,  and  out  side  observations:  but  the  kingdom 
of  God  is  within  you,^  and  the  way  to  the  kingdom  is 
within  you,  and  the  light  that  guides  into  the  way  is 
within.  Christ  is  the  way,  and  know  ye  not  that  Christ 
is  in  you,  except  ye  be  reprobates?  And  as  he  is  the 
way, so  he  is  the  light;  I  am  the  light  of  the  world,  and 
lighten  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world.  He  that 
followeth  me  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have 
the  light  of  life.'  1  am  the  true  shepherd  of  the  sheep, 
and  my  sheep  know  my  voice,  but  the  voice  of  a  stran- 
ger they  will  not  hear.'  And  the  voice  of  Christ  is 
spiritual,  and  not  carnal ;  and  he  speaks  to  the  spii-its 
in  prison:  and  he  that  hath  an  ear,  hears  what  the  spirit 
saith.  And  he  who  comes  once  to  hear  the  vpice  of 
Christ  in  spirit,  will  no  more  desire  to  hear  the  voice  of 
strangers. 

All  your  hirelings  are  strangers  to  Christ,  and  he 
knows  them  not:  fov  though  they  may  prophesy  in  his 
name,  and  in  his  name  cast  out  devils;''  yet  if  they  be 
workers  of  iniquity,  Christ  knows  them  not,  and  such 
know  not  Christ ;  for  he  that  saith,  I  know  him,  and  keeps 
not  his  commandment,  is  a  liar.' 

Now  all  people,  cease  from  your  strange  guides,  and 
out-side  lights,  and  return  to  the  light  of  Christ  in  you, 
that  which  shows  you  sin  and  evil,  and  the  deeds  of 
darkness :  for  whatever  makes  manifest  is  light  \  and  this 
is  that  light  which  shines  into  the  conscience,  which  tells 
you,  that  lying,  swearing,  pride,  envy,  covetousness,  back- 
biting and  dissembling  leads  to  condemnation:  And  this 
light  checks  you  for  sin,  and  would  have  you  to  do  to 
all  men,  as  you  would  be  done  to.  And  this  light  is  not 
a  chapter  without  you,  in  a  book,  but  it  is  that  light 
that  revealed  the  Scriptures  to  the  saints,  in  their  sev- 
eral measures,  which  they  spoke  forth,  and  which  thou 
readest  in  the  chapter.  And  this  light  being  minded, 
will  lead  to  the  perfect  day,  which  declares  all  things  as 
they  are. 


a  Luke  17.21.  b  John  14.  6.  2  Cor.  13.5.  John  1. 9.  & 8.  12.  cl  Pet.  3.  19.  Rt^v. 
2.7.17.   John  10.11.  12.   d  Mat.  7. 22,23,   elJohn2.4.    fEph.5.  13. 


(    79  ) 

And  this  did  the  apostles  exhort  the  saints  every 
where  to  take  heed  onto,  till'the  day  dawned, and  the 
day  star  did  arise  in  their  hearts:*  and  this  is  a  more 
sure  word  of  prophesy,  than  that  the  apostles  did  hear 
in  the  mount,  as  he  declared  unto  them.  And  if  you 
take  heed  to  this  light,  to  obey  and  love  it,  then  it  will 
show  that  to  you,  which  no  outward  declaration  of  man 
can  show  you ;  it  will  let  you  see  all  your  sins  done  in 
secret,  and  whom  you  have  wronged,  and  how  you  have 
spent  your  time,  and  will  bring  you  to  repentance,  and  to 
tenderness  of  heart  towards  all  people,  and  will  bring 
you  to  exercise  a  pure  conscience  in  the  fear  of  God, 
towards  God  and  man  in  uprightness,  and  so  will  lead 
up  to  justification  and  peace.^  And  if  you  disobey  it, 
it  will  condemn  you  in  your  own  hearts,  and  will  show 
you  that  God  is  greater  than  your  hearts,  who  will  render 
to  every  one  according  to  their  work.  And  here  you 
are  left  without  excuse  before  God, men  and  angels; and 
in  this,  that  you  know  sin,  and  live  in  it.  Here  you 
have  learned  your  condemnation,  and  your  deceit  is  dis- 
covered, whereby  with  a  pretence  you  make  prayers, 
and  say.  Lord,  shew  us  a  sight  of  our  sins  f  whereas 
God  hath  given  you  a  light  within  you,  which  being 
minded  and  obeyed,  will  show  you  all  your  sins  and 
wickedness,  and  lead  you  out  of  them. 

But  this  light  you  hate,  because  you  love  your  evil 
deeds;  and  you  perish  not  for  want  of  light  tendered, 
but  because  you  turn  your  backs  on  it:  for  when  you 
should  bring  your  works  to  it,  to  be  proved,  then  you 
join  with  the  deceit,  to  make  coverings  for  your  sins,  and 
hide  them  lest  they  should  come  to  the  light,  and  be 
made  manifest.  And  this  is  the  cause  why  you  stum- 
ble, because  you  walk  not  in  the  light;  for  your  evil 
deeds  will  not  abide  the  light:  the  adulterer  loves  the 
night,  and  the  thief  loves  the  night,  and  the  drunkard 
loves  the  night,  and  all  the  children  of  darkness  love 
the  night,  that  they  may  bring  forth  their  evil  deeds  un- 
reproved."^ 

And  here  thou  art  who  lovest  thy  sins,  and  here  wilt 
thou  be  found,  profess  what  thou  wilt;  for  the  day  will 


alPet.1.19.   bAct324.  16.   c  Joho3.20-  d  Job24. 15,&16,  lThess.5.7. 


(  «(>  )• 


thoroughl)  tTeclaie  thee  what  thou  art,  for  now  is  the 
day  of  the  Lord,  which  vvfll  judge  thee  as  thou  art,  near 
at  hand.  And  wo  to  thee  that  hidest  thy  sins,  and  cov- 
erest  tliine  iniquities.  Thou  niayst  hide  from  men,  and 
make  men  believe  thou  art  a  christian,  but  God  will  not 
be  mocked;'  for  above  all  he  abhors  the  hypocrite  and 
dissembler:  wherefore  take  heed  and  turn  from  your 
deceit,  and  come  forth,  you  children  of  darkness,  and 
come  into  the  light,  where  there  is  no  occasion  of  stumb- 
ling, and  make  it  appear  you  are  children  of  the  light, 
by  loving  it:  and  make  it  appear  you  love  the  light,  by 
bringing  your  deeds  to  it  to  be  proved,  that  all  your  works 
may  be  works  of  the  liglit,  that  your  light  may  shine 
forth  before  al!  men  in  your  works,  and  that  true  judg- 
ment may  be  set  up  in  you,  and  all  unrighteousness  con- 
demned and  cast  out,  and  truth  received  in,  that  the 
truth  may  ^make  you  free:''  for  while  you  join  with  the 
deceit,  you  consent  to  keep  your  sins,  and  while  you 
commit  sin,  you  are  the  servants  of  sin,  and  the  wages 
of  sin  is  death,*^  and  death  reigns  in  you,  because  you 
will  not  come  to  Christ,  who  is  the  light,  that  you  may 
have  life,  and  your  destruction  is  of  yourselves;  and 
God  is  just,  and  your  condemnation  is  this,  that  light  is 
come  into  the  world,  and  you  love  darkness  rather  than 
light,  because  your  deeds  are  evil:  and  this  is  that  grace 
of  God  which  hath  appeared  to  all  men;  which  is  the 
saints  teacher,  and  teacheth  them  to  deny  imgodliness 
and  wordly  lusts,' which  you  that  live  in  your  lusts  turn 
into  wantonness, and  will  not  be  taught  by  it;  and  here 
you  read  your  condemnation  in  every  sin  you  commit. 

O  you  people  of  England!  How  long  will  it  be  ere 
you  be  obedient  to  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ?  How 
long  will  you  profess  him  in  words  and  forms,  and 
yet  will  not  own  him  in  power?  You  can  be  content  to 
let  him  have  the  name  of  a  king,  so  that  you  yourselves 
may  reign,  and  under  the  name  of  Christ's  kingdom,  act 
your  own  wills.'  And  though  you  cannot  bear  it,  to  be 
judged  by  the  spirit  of  Christ  where  it  is  in  his  people, 
which  judgetkall  the  world,  and  all  things,  yet  you  can- 

aEph.5,8.    bJohn  cJohn3.19.   dTit.2.n,12.    Jude  4.  e  1  Cor.  4. 2C». 

Tit.  1. 16. 


(    81  ) 


liot  escape,'  for  you  shall  be  found  guilty  before  tiie 
mighty  judge  of  Heaven  and  earth,  when  he  shall  appear 
in  flames  and  fire,  to  be  avenged  upon  all  deceit  and 
unrighteousness  of  men.^  And  will  you  be,  found  at 
that  day  subjects  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  wherein  all 
the  saints  are  one,  and  Christ  their  head  and  lawgiver? 
Or  are  you  not  lords  over  God's  heritage;  yea,  over 
Christ  himself?  And  you  will  appear  such,  when  the 
mystery  of  iniquity  shall  be  revealed  in  you;'  you  who 
ought  to  make  it  your  whole  care  to  observe  the  law  of 
Christ  in  all.  Things  that  he  commands,  as  a  rnle  for 
you  to  walk  by.  But  are  you  in  your  duty,  as  servants 
to  Christ,  when  you  are  prescribing  him  ways  to  walk  by 
in  his  church?  And  is  it  not  so,  when  you  would  limit 
him  to  speak  only  by  such  as  you  in  your  wisdom  ap- 
prove of,  or  else  he  shall  be  silent?  And  to  effect  this, 
are  all  the  powers  of  the  earth  combined  together:  do 
not  you  here  take  upon  you  to  be  lords  of  the  vineyard, 
and  not  servants?  And  would  not  suffer  him  to  send 
forth  labourers  into  it,  who  is  Lord  of  it.  Is  not  this  the 
way  to  make  the  heritage  your  own?  Hath  not  all  the 
persecution  of  the  messengers  of  God,  arisen  from  this 
ground?  And  how  many  times  have  earthly  powers 
been  broken  to  pieces  against  this  rock?*^  And  do  you 
walk  according  to  the  Scriptures,  which  you  say  is  your 
rule,  when  you  would  limit  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  not  to 
speak  in  his  own  time,  and  in  what  place  soever  they 
who  have  the  message  are  sent  into?  You,  who  are 
offended  because  the  Lord  sends  his  messengers  into 
your  idol  temples,  to  cry  against  your  idol  w^orships  and 
heathenish  customs,  and  to  call  out  poor  ignorant  people 
from  amongst  you,  who  have  long  been  deceived  by  their 
blind  guides and  to  call  them  out  of  forms  and  like- 
nesses, into  the  substance  of  all  worships,  which  is  only 
in  spirit,  and  not  in  forms  and  customs,  and  out-side  ob- 
servations, that  they  may  come  to  know  what  they  wor- 
ship, even  the  living  God,  that  their  souls  may  live.' — 
, Which  was  the  way  by  which  the  apostles  did  gather 

a  1  Cor.  2. 15.   b  1  Pet.  5. 3.    c  Mat.  28.  20.    d  Mat.  21.  23,  to-the  end.    2  Chron. 
,  ^  .         n     \rts5.  19,20.    Actsl7.2,'J.    f  .lohn  4 .  21 .  22, 2:5.  24. 

11 


(    82  ) 


the  saints  out  of  all  the  idols, temples,  and  carnal  wor 
ships,  into  the  spirit,  as  you  may  read  in  the  Scripture. 

And  this  (with  you)  is  a  transgression  of  your  law, 
and  you. say,  it  breeds  distraction  in  your  churches:  but 
what  churches  are  they,  which  will  be  so  soon  distract- 
ed? And  what  people  are  those  churches  made  up  of, 
who  no  sooner  hear  one  deliver  the  Lord's  message  in  a 
peaceable  way,  but  they  are  all  on  fire,  beating,  buffet- 
ing, cursing,  swearing,  and  hauling  them  to  prison?  And 
were  you  not  blind,  you  might  plainly  see  what  genera- 
tion these  are,  who  are,  and  always  have  been  offended 
at  the  will  of  God. 

Is  not  the  love  of  God  to  souls,  to  send  to  call  them 
who  will  hear  his  voice,  out  of  such  churches  as  are 
thus  acted  by  a  spirit  of  envy, rage  and  murder,  which 
is  the  spirit  of  the  devil?  And  this  is  that  spirit  which 
being  offended,  sets  the  creatures  one  to  destroy  another, 
lest  his  deceit  should  be  revealed. 

And  are  you  not  blind,  who  cannot  distinguish  between 
that  spirit  which  acts  in  the  persecutor,  and  that  spirit 
which  acts  in  the  sufferer,  and  hath  so  done  in  all  ages, 
and  come  out  from  amongst  them?  And  what  law  is 
that  which  you  say  is  transgressed  by  the  creature,  be- 
ing obedient  to  the  creator,  obeying  the  voice  of  Christ, 
witnessed  in  the  Scripture,  by  the  practice  of  the  holy 
men  of  God,  sent  out  by  the  same  spirit  into  the  world, 
as  these  are  at  this  day?  Is  this  a  christian  law,  as 
you  pretend  it  to  be,  that  thus  withstands  Christ  in  his 
kingdom?  And  were  you  spiritual,  as  you  pretend, 
wo:dd  not  these  carnal  laws,  that  oppose  the  spirit  and 
practice  of  the  saints,  be  laid  aside  by  you?"" 

And  now  try  whether  that  spirit  act  in  you,  which 
led  the  apostles  and  saints  into  the  temple  and  syna- 
gogues daily,  there  to  dispute  against  all  idolatrous 
worships,  and  to  hold  out  to  the  people  the  true  sub- 
stance, and  thereby  gathered  the  church  into  God,  in  the 
spirit,  there  to  meet  and  worship or  that  spirit  that 
was  in  them  who  persecuted  the  saints  for  so  doing,  and 
cf)mmanded  ihem  to  be  silent,  and  charged  them  with 
breaking  their  law,  and  turning  the  world  upside  down. 

aAct3l7.2,3.    b  Arts  16, 19,  20,21 


(    83  ) 


and  counted  them  madmen.    And  if  any  be  moved  to 
speak  a  word  of  truth,  while  your  parish  teachers  are 
talking,  or  before  their  glass  be  run.    You  that  execute 
a  carnal  law  upon  the  bodies  of  such,  are  you  subject  to 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  is  in  the  spirits  of  his  own, 
whereby  he  rules  the  conscience,  and  brings  them  to 
obey  him  in  his  commands?    Or  will  not  you  be  found 
in  the  day  of  trial,  to  be  fighters  against  God,  under  the 
name  of  professing  them?'    And  do  these  whom  you 
persecute  any  thing  but  what  was  the  saints  practice? 
And  how  are  you  not  ashamed  to  profess  that  Scripture 
to  be  your  rule,  which  saith,  if  any  thing  be  revealed  to 
another  that  sits  by,  let  the  first  hold  his  peace.  And 
this  the  apostle  sets  down  as  order,  and  the  saints  liber- 
ty.   But  what  spirit  acts  you,  who  would  restrain  it,  and 
call  it  disorder,  and  haul  them  before  rulers,  or  to  prison 
for  so  doing?    And  you  that  say,  if  such  have  their  own 
liberty,  it  is  reason  they  should  be  silent,  and  not  cry  out 
against  others;  know  that  the  law  of  Christ  is  not 
grounded  on  the  will  and  reason  of  men :  and  is  your  rea- 
son here  any  thing  but  carnal?    For  doth  pure  reason 
give  any  way,  that  deceit  should  go  under  the  name  of 
truth  unreproved  ?    And  is  there  any  reason  to  limit  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  that  it  shall  not  discover  the  man  of 
sin,  wherever  he  is,  who  must  be  revealed  and  destroyed 
by  the  brightness  of  his  coming  in  the  saints,  and  by  the 
sword  of  his  mouth?    And  is  there  any  reason,  that  the 
powers  of  the  earth  should  make  laws  for  the  spirit  of 
Christ  in  the  saints  to  act  by,  though  in  all  ages  they 
would  be  meddling  with  it  to  their  own  hurt?    And  if 
all  should  be  subject  to  your  law,  which  you  say  is  rfA- 
son,  how  should  truth  be  spread  abroad,  and  deceit  b& 
brought  to  blush:  seeing  deceit  hath  always,  and  doth 
still  wind  into  the  earthly  powers  for  safety?  But 
truth  seeks  no  corners, nor  shelters  from  earthly  powers; 
for  all  that  ever  were  sent  out  by  Christ  to  preach  the 
gospel,  were  called  by  him  alone,  without  the  consent  of 
earthly  powers,  neither  stood  they  to  the  judgment  or 
trial  of  any  men  of  powers,  as  from  them  to  receive  or- 


al Cor.  14. 30. 


I    84  ) 


der,  whether  to  preach  or  forbear :  but  by  his  authorrty 
alone,  by  whom  they  were  sent,  to  whoni  alone  they 
were  to  give  account  of  their  ministry,  with  joy  or  sor- 
row. 

And  in  this  work  they  denied  all  the  learning  and 
wisdom  of  the  world.  Few  of  the  apostles  were  learn- 
ed, and  Paul,  when  he  tells  of  his  bringing  up  in  learn- 
ing, counts  it  amongst  other  (carnal)  things,  loss  and 
dung,  which  before  he  had  counted  gain,  that  in  the  loss 
of  them  he  might  win  Christ;  and  saith,  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  gospel,  that  he  had  it  not  of  man,  nor  by  man, 
nor  was  he  taught  it,  but  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus 
Christ.^  But  what  rule  walk  you  by,  who  must  have 
them  to  such  a  pitch  of  learning,  and  so  many  years  at 
Oxford  or  Cambridge,  and  there  study  so  long  in  books 
and  old  authors?  And  all  this  to  know,  what  unlearned 
men,  fishermen,  ploughmen  and  herdsmen,  did  mean, 
when  they  spoke  forth  the  Scriptures,  who  were  counted 
fools  and  madmen  by  the  learned  generation  when  they 
spake  them  forth:  and  they  who  speak  it  by  the  same 
spirit,  are  so  still  by  the  same  serpent's  wisdom.  And 
when  you  have  brought  them  to  this  height  of  learning, 
yet  the  Scripture  is  a  book  sealed  to  all  their  wisdom 
and  learning;^  and  they  from  whom  you  expect  the  open- 
ing of  this  mystery,  are  at  a  jar  amongst  themselves, 
what  should  be  the  meaning  of  it;  and  have  been  in  all 
ages  disputing,  quarreling,  imprisoning,  killing  and  burn- 
ing one  another,  and  would  do  so  now  had  they  power: 
for  this  learned  generation  have  been  the  stirrers  up  of 
all  strife  and  blood-shed,  setting  kingdoms,  nations  and 
y  ^ople  one  against  another,  and  all  about  standing  to 
uphold  their  meanings,  forms,  imaginations  and  vain 
conceptions  from  the  letter,  but  are  all  ignorant  of  that 
spirit  which  gave  it  forth;  for  they  who  have  the  sub- 
stance, contend  not  about  words  and  meanings ;  and  that 
spirit  is  the  substance  which  gave  it  forth,  and  opens  it 
again,  as  it  ariseth  in  its  measure.  And  they  who  have 
that  spirit,  are  ministers  of  the  spirit,  and  they  manifest 
to  the  raising  up  of  the  spirit  in  others,  and  not  to  the 

aActs4.  13,    Phil.3.  7,  8.    Gal.  1.11,12.    b  Rev.  5.  2. 


(    85  ) 

serpent's  wisdom ;  for  they  know,  that  wisdom  which 
stands  in  the  will  of  man  must  not  enter;  for  the  myste- 
ry is  hid  from  it.    And  such  cannot  persecute  the  bodies 
of  men,  because  they  know  not  so  much  as  they,  neither 
do  they  seek  to  destroy  the  creature;  but  they  strike 
at  the  accursed  spirit,  which  keeps  the  creature  in  blind- 
ness and  bondage,  and  so  redeems  the  creature  and 
reconciles  him  to  God  in  the  spirit.    And  this  is  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation,  guided  by  the  spirit,  and  by 
this  was  the  scripture  written  forth:  for  holy  men  of 
God  spoke  forth  the  scriptures  as  they  were  moved  by 
the  holy  ghost,  without  carnal  learning.''    And  holy  men 
by  the  same  spirit  read  and  understood  them  again; 
not  by  carnal  learning  and  natural  tongues;  for  the  spi- 
rit is  the  original,  which  first  reveals  the  mystery  to  the 
spirit  within  man,  and  then  declares  it  forth  in  words  or 
writing  to  the  understanding  of  others,  to  the  directing 
their  minds  to  wait  upon  God  for  the  same  free  gift  of 
the  spirit.^ 

And  here  is  the  true  worship  in  spirit  found  and  per- 
formed, whiph  stands  in  the  teaching  of  the  spirit,  and 
not  in  the  letter,  unknown  to  the  world,  but  owned  of 
God. 

But  all  you,  who  seek  to  find  out  the  invisible  things 
of  God,  or  the  way  of  his  worship,  by  your  learning  and 
wisdom  in  the  letter,  you  seek  that  which  is  hid  from 
your  wisdom,  and  you  take  the  saints  conditions  to  talk 
on;'  and  they  having  outwardly  declared  their  inward 
worship  and  fellowship  they  had  with  God  in  spirit,  this 
you  find  in  the  letter,  and  every  one,  according  to  his 
several  conceiving  thereof,  sets  up  an  outward  form, 
image,  or  likeness  of  the  saints  worship.  And  here 
you  worship,  and  for  this  you  contend  by  reasons  and 
arguments,  and  wrest  the  scriptures  to  uphold  your 
form;**  and  if  any  will  not  worship  this  your  image,  you 
are  greatly  offended  at. 

And  here  is  all  the  contention  in  the  world  about 
things  without,  as  forms,  customs  and  traditions,  and 
here  carnal  minds  contend  with  carnal  words  and  wea- 


a  2  Pet  1,12.  bl  Cor.  2,14.  Eph.3,f?,5.  r  Mat.  11.^5  1  John  1,3.  d  2  Pet. 
3,16.  ^ 


(   86  ) 


pons  about  carnal  things:  and  you  who  are  here  cannot 
own  the  saints  conditions  in  yourselves,  as  to  witness 
the  infallible  teachings  of  the  spirit,  and  the  body  of  sin 
put  off,  and  to  be  sanctified  throughout  in  soul  and  body.' 
But  yon  will  own  the  scriptures  (as  they  are)  as  far  as 
they  will  make  with  your  form,  and  that  you  may  live 
in  the  delights  of  the  world ;  and  for  those  which  cross 
your  ways  and  w411s,  you  will  alter  them  by  meanings 
and  expositions. 

And  thus  the  scripture  must  bend  to  you,  and  submit 
to  your  wills,  that  the  will  may  reign,  and  you  live  in 
your  lusts:  but  to  believe,  that  ever  they  shall  be  fulfil- 
led in  you  by  Christ,  as  they  are  and  were  in  the  saints, 
to  this  your  faith  is  reprobate.'    And  yet  you  are  not 
ashamed  to  profess  Christ  your  king,  and  the  scripture 
your  rule,  and  you  make  a  great  sound  in  words,  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  and  the  ordinances  of  Christ,  and 
the  church  of  Christ,  and  the  saints  practice,  and  the 
scripture  rule,  but  is  it  so  upon  trial,  or  but  a  thing  like 
these  you  speak  on?    And  where  you  appear  to  be 
wanting,  there  you  have  covered  with  words,  meanings 
and  expositions:  but  the  saints,  whose  conditions  you 
talk  on,  was  what  they  spoke  without  your  meanings  or 
deceit:"  they  were  subjects  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
and  he  did  rule  in  them,  and  they  followed  him  through 
persecutions,  mockings  and  death:  but  is  it  so  with  you, 
who^re  lords  over  your  brethren,  beating,  mocking, 
imprisoning  and  killing  them,  because  they  will  not  for- 
sake the  commands  of  Christ,  to  be  subject  to  your  wills 
and  heathenish  customs,  as  to  bow  down  to  you,  and 
worship  you,  and  to  be  silent  at  your  will,  and  to  speak 
at  your  wills,  though  Christ  command  the  contrary?  Is 
this  to  own  Christ  for  your  king? 

And  as  for  your  ordinances  you  cry  up  so  much,  are 
these  they,  to  set  up  a  proud  man,  called  by  you  master, 
having  the  highest  place  in  the  idols  temple,  preaching 
always  from  a  verse  of  another  man's  condition,  but  not 
fulfilled  in  himself;*^  raising  points,  reasons,  objections 
and  uses,  a  divination  of  his  own  brain,  but  not  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord ;  adding  and  diminishing  to  the  scrip- 


a  Rom.  6,6, 7.   b  Rom.  8,3,4.   c  Rev.  7, 14.   d  Mat.  23,6, 10. 


(    87.  ) 


tiJie;  sprinkling  of  infants,  and  calling  it,  baptizing  into 
Christ;  singing  David's  conditions  in  rhymes;  telling 
people  of  a  sacrament,  and  observing  of  times,  doing 
all  for  tithes  or  money,'  living  in  pride,  fullness  andcov- 
etousness,  and  many  more  like  things,  never  used  by  any 
that  Christ  sent? 

And  is  this  your  church,  all  within  such  a  place  or 
parish,  sprinkled  when  they  were  infants,  but  not  yet 
washed  from  sin,  but  many  are  still  liars,  swearers, 
drunkards,  whoremongers,  covetous,  scorners,  proud, 
wanton,  oppressors,  and  such  like,  but  not  one  that  can 
witness  that  faith  which  hath  overcome  the  world,  sin 
and  the  devil,  or  believe,  that  ever  they  shall  overcome 
while  they  are  here?^  and  is  this  the  church  of  Christ 
(which  is  his  body)  whilst  limbs  of  the  devil,  and  serve 
him  at  his  will?  and  is  this  the  saints  practice  you 
speak  of,  to  exalt  yourselves  one  above  another,  to  sue 
one  another,  to  accuse  falsely,  to  be  proud  and  covetous, 
to  live  in  the  lusts  of  the  desh,  sporting  and  gaming,  and 
calling  it  recreation;^  living  in  excess  of  apparel  and 
diet,  spending  the  creatures  in  your  lusts,  when  your 
ijrethren  want  food  and  raiment,  causing  others  to 
labour  in  wants,  that  they  may  bring  it  to  you  to  spend 
in  your  lusts  and  vanity?  And  when  you  should  hear- 
ken to  the  light  of  Christ  in  your  conscience,  then  you 
oin  with  the  deceit  to  make  coverings  for  your  iniquities, 
;ind  say  it  is  but  as  your  place  and  state  requires;  as 
ihough  God  had  given  out  his  law  with  respect  of  per- 
sons, and  had  given  you  a  toleration  to  abuse  the  crea- 
ture, and  live  in  your  lusts  more  than  others,  because 
\  ou  have  more  of  the  earth,  or  a  greater  power  com- 
mitted to  your  charge  amongst  men  than  others;*^  not 
considering  that  the  heathen  exercise  these  things,  but 
the  saints,  the  greater  power,  the  more  humble,  and  the 
more  careful  to  walk  as  examples  to  others,  that  so  they 
may  exalt  him  alone,  whose  ministers  they  are,  and  not 
themselves  in  pride. 

And  this  is  to  be  truly  honourable,  and  herein  have 
ail  the  faithful  been  honoured :  but  you  who  seek  for  the 


a  Gal.  4, 10,  11.  bl  John  2,4.  c  Mat.  20,  26,  27.  Gal.  5.  24.  dJara.  5,  1,  2.  3,  5 
Mdt.  20.25,  26.27.   Luk.  22.26. 


(    88  ) 


Worlds  honour,  are  not  of  the  faithful;  for,  saith  Christ, 
how  can  you  believe,  that  seek  for  honour  one  of  ano- 
ther? 

Now  ye  that  talk  of  the  saints  practice,  own  it  in 
yourselves,  and  it  will  take  you  off  from  these,  and  many 
more  vanities  you  live  in;^  God  will  not  be  mocked,  ye 
hypocrites,  be  not  sayers,  but  doers.  And  you  talk  of 
the  scriptures  being  a  golden  rule,  but  your  ways  prove 
how  little  you  are  ruled  by  it. 

Do  you  seek  to  be  perfect?  for  God  is  perfect:  holy, 
as  he  is  holy?  Do  ye  love  God  above  all,  and  your 
neighbours  as  yourselves,  when  you  make  them  your 
footstool?  Do  you  do  to  all  as  you  would  be  done  by? 
have  you  forsaken  the  world  and  the  love  of  it?  is  the 
lusts  and  affections  of  your  flesh  crucified?  Having 
food  and  raiment,  are  ye  there  with  content?  do)ou 
live  by  faith,  not  taking  thought  for  to-morrow,  what  to 
eat,  and  what  to  put  on?  do  you  live  as  the  Lord's  lil- 
lies?  do  you  feed  the  hungry,  and  clothe  the  naked,  and 
let  the  oppressed  go  free?  are  ye  no  respecters  of  per- 
sons in  all  your  dealings?*'  are  you  brought  to  yea  and 
nay  in  all  your  communication,  without  any  more, 
which  comes  of  evil?  do  you  suffer,  and  are  hated,  and 
have  all  manner  of  evil  spoken  of  you  falsely,  for  the 
name  of  Christ?'  are  you  brought  out  of  all  the  cus- 
toms of  the  heathen,  and  are  conformable  to  Christ  in 
his  life  and  sufferings?'*  prove  yourselves,  if  you  be 
what  you  profess  in  truth,  that  you  be  saints,  sanctified 
and  redeemed  out  of  all  worldly  and  earthly  things,  to 
live  to  God  in  all  things,  in  righteousness  and  holiness. 
Oh!  you  take  but  their  conditions  to  talk  on,  which  were 
so,  and  so  you  boast  in  another  man's  line,  on  things 
that  are  not  your  own. 

See  if  you  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in 
Christ,  as  they  were,  and  if  you  know  him,"  whom  you 
s^y  you  worship,  to  dwell  in  your  bodies,  as  they  did; 
and  that  you  are  taught  of  him  in  spirit,  how  he  will  be 
worshipped,  as  they  were  whom  you  talk  on.^ 

a  John  5.  41,44.,  bHeb.13,5.  lTiui.6,8,9.  Mat.  6, 25,  to  the  end.  Jam.  2.  1,  ^' 
Mat.5,37.    cMat.5.11.   dLuke6,22.    elCor.13,10.    f2Cor.l3,lO.  2Cor.6,l(r: 


(    89  ) 


See  whether  these  things  be  so  in  substance,  or  you 
have  bnt  a  form  of  their  worship,  gathered  out  of  the 
letter;  and  so  you  worship  a  likeness  or  image  of 
that  whereof  they  had  the  substance.  Now,  if  you 
have  but  the  outside,  take  heed ;  for  now  is  the  hand 
of  the  Lord  upon  all  the  idols  of  the  world.^  And  that 
which  is  not  the  substance,  is  but  an  image.^  And  now 
shall  the  slone  cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  hands, 
break  thee  and  thy  image  in  pieces,  and  he  that  is  with- 
out form,  shall  by  his  power,  break  all  your  forms,  and 
formal  worships  in  pieces.'  And  that  worship  alone 
shall  be  set  up,  which  is  in  spirit,  and  not  in  form,  and  is 
accepted  by  that  God  who  never  was  known  in  form,  but 
in  spirit  blessed  for  ever. 

And,  you  rulers  of  the  nation,  take  heed  how  you 
step  into  the  throne  of  Christ,  or  exalt  yourselves  in 
his  kingdom,  and  mind  what  power  you  are  entrusted 
with  by  the  Lord,  and  be  faithful  in  that,  as  th.e  minis- 
ters of  God,  to  whom  you  are  to  give  an  account.  You 
are  to  punish  sin  in  whom  it  is,  without  respect  of  per- 
sons: and  if  you  be  faithful  herein,  you  will  find  work 
enough  in  the  nation.    And  you  are  to  encourage  them 
that  do  well,  and  deliver  them  from  the  power  of  cruel 
^and  blood  thirsty  men  that  oppress  them;  for  he  that 
departs  from  iniquity  is  made  a  prey  to  this  generation.^ 
And  you  are  to  walk  as  examples  to  the  people,  in  all 
holiness  and  righteousness,  that  God  may  bless  you,  and 
honour  you  in  the  doing  of  his  commands:  but  as  for 
sending  out  labourers  into  iiis  vineyard,  where  hath  he 
commanded  this  at  your  hands?  or,  v%7hen  did  he  in  any 
age  reprove  any  for  not  doing  it?    He  hath  overthrown 
kingdoms  and  nations,  for  abusing  and  going  about  to 
stop  the  mouths  of  those  th*at  he  sent;'  and  hath  re- 
proved kings  for  th.eir  sakes,  saying  touch  them  not: 
but  these  were  such  as  he  sent;  for  he  never  entrusted 
the  powers  of  the  earth  to  choose  him  messengers  to  go 
on  his  message.^     And  hath  he  now  put  power  into 
your  hand,  that  you  should  not  suffer  him  to  choose  his 
own  messengers,  by  whom  he  will  send  to  his  own  peo- 

aZac.  13,2.    b  Dan.  3.  34.    c  Rev.  14,  9.    d  2  Sam.  23.  3.    Isa.  56,  1.    1  Pe^  2, 14. 
P«a»,82,2,3,4.    Pro. 29,  2,  Isa.  59,15.   e  2  Chron.  36,  15. 16.    f  Luke  10, 2. 

12 


(    90  ) 


pie?  And  have  you  the,  message  to  put  into  their 
mouths?  and  must  they  go  on  your  errand  or  his?  and 
will  not  you  give  him  leave  to  choose  his  own  servants, 
and  what  he  will  employ  them  about?  Will  you  deal 
so  with  him,  as  you  would  not  have  any  to  deal  with 
you? 

And  for  your  tithes,  augmentations  and  set  benefits, 
when  did  ever  God  require  any  such  thing  from  any 
magistrates  under  the  gospel?  And  doth  it  serve  for 
any  other  end,  but  to  hold  up  an  idle  loitering  ministry, 
one  pulling  another  out  of  places,  and  setting  themselves 
in  their  stead,  that  they  may  heap  up  riches,  and  live  in 
their  lusts,  all  running  greedily  after  the  wages  of  Ba- 
laam for  gifts  and  rewards?  and  do  you  fear  that  the 
hand  of  God  is  shortened,  that  he  will  not  raise  up  such  as 
will  go  on  his  message,  unless  you  provide  them  wages?' 
Did  ever  any  that  he  sent  complain  to  the  world  for 
want?  nay,  all  my  father's  servants  have  bread  enough, 
without  being  cared  for  by  the  world;  for  those  who 
are  sent  by  Christ  take  little  care  for  such  earthly 
things,  having  a  better  reward  in  durable  riches.  And 
can  you  ever  keep  the  ministers  of  antichrist  out  of  pla- 
ces (who  will  conform  to  any  thing  for  gain)  so  long  as 
they  can  have  you  to  feed  them  with  money?  And 
will  not  you  be  found  guilty  of  keeping  up  the  hirelings, 
that  the  woe  is  to,  and  them  that  hold  them  up,  and 
whom  Christ  is  come  to  discover  and  cast  out,  and  so 
you  be  found  fighters  against  him?  and  when  you  leave 
all  that  say  they  are  Christ's  ministers,  to  Christ's  main- 
tenance, set  down  in  the  gospel,  then  it  will  appear  who 
have  run  unsent,  and  have  not  profited  the  people.  And 
is  it  not  the  love  of  God,  to  cast  out  such  as  have  called 
themselves  teachers,  and  liave  been  thus  long  in  places, 
and  have  their  people  yet  liars,  swearers,  drunkards, 
proud  and  covetous,  and  in  all  filthiness;'  but  not  one 
that  is  set  free  from  sin,  and  brought  out  of  the  world; 
and  they  who  have  taught  them,  dare  not  trust  them  for 
maintenance,  without  a  law  to  compel  them?  And  are 
you  doing  any  acceptable  service  to  God,  in  maintain. 

aZacb.  U,4,  5.   Ezek.22,25.    Isa.  502.4.   b  Rom.  6,  7,  19. 


(    91  ) 


ingsuch  as  these  as  they  live?  And  will  it  not  be  said 
to  you  one  day,  who  requires  these  things  at  youF  hands,"" 
to  oppress  the  poor,  who  labour  hard  to  give  their  la- 
bours to  maintain  these  belly-gods  [contrary  to  their 
consciences]  in  their  fulness,  pride  and  lust,  and  their 
wives  and  families  in  idleness;  and  they  that  labour  for 
it  are  many  times  in  great  want? 

Oh!  be  wise  and  take  heed  what  ye  do;  and  as  you 
profess  yourselves  to  be  a  christian  magistracy,  so  mind 
the  commands  of  Christ,  and  not  your  own  wills.  It  is 
not  saying  you  are  christians,  but  walking  after  Christ 
and  his  commands,  that  differs  you  from  the  heathens: 
and  do  not  profess  the  scripture  in  words,  but  own  their 
practice  that  gave  them  forth ;  and  let  them  who  say 
they  are  ministers,  make  proof  of  their  ministry  in  pow- 
er, and  not  in  getting  a  few  words  whereby  to  deceive 
you  and  the  people:  but  let  them  first  sow  spiritual 
things,  before  they  reap  carnal:  first  beget  a  people  out 
of  the  world  into  the  spirit,  and  then  they  shall  not 
need  to  contend  with  them  about  food  and  raiment,  nor 
sue  them  at  the  la  w :  first  plant,  then  eat.*" 

And  this  was  the  practice  of  such  as  Christ  sent,  and 
he  always  provided  them  a  house  to  go  to  who  were 
worthy,  and  meat  to  eat,  and  they  never  wanted  what 
was  good  for  them.'  And  I  witness  that  he  is  the  same 
now,  and  hath  the  same  care  over  those  that  he  sends 
into  the  world,  with  divers  others,  whom  he  hath  sent 
out  without  bag  or  scrip,  yea,  into  the  most  brutish 
parts  in  the  nation :  praises,  praises  be  to  our  God,  whose 
is  the  earth,  and  the  fulness  thereof. 

And  thus  do  we  witness  the  scripture  fulfilled,  and 
take  no  thought  for  food  and  raiment,  as  the  heathen  do, 
but  are  come  into  the  unity  with  all  saints  in  their  joy 
and  sufferings,  and  are  taught  by  Christ  how  to  want, 
and  how  to  abound,  and  in  allconditionsto  be  therewithal 
content."^  And  we  can  truly  say, all  is  for  good  to  us, 
and  to  the  church  of  Christ:  and  our  kingdom  and  joy 
is  not  of  this  world,  nor  doth  the  world  know  us,  nor  our 
joy;  glory  to  the  highest  forever,  who  is  shaking  all  the 
wisdoms  and  powers  of  men,  to  establish  that  which  is 


aProv.22,16.   blCor.9,11.    edicts  4,34.    dMat.6,25.    Phil. 4,11,1? 


(    92  } 


of  huiiseif  alone,  to  which  all  shall  be  made  to  bend  and 
bow/ 

And  you  that  are  in  power,  mind  the  promise  of  the 
father,  at  the  coming  of  Christ  to  his  kingdom,  I  will 
overturn,  overturn,  overturn,  till  it  come  into  his  hand 
whose  right  it  is,  and  upon  his  shoulders  shall  the  gov- 
ernment be  established  he  that  hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let 
him  hear.''  And  take  notice  how  many  have  been  over- 
turned already,  who  would  have  been  limiting  him  by 
their  wisdoms.  And  now  it  is  come  into  your  hands, 
who  above  all  have  seen  his  wonders  done  for  you  and 
the  nation,  and  you  above  all  have  declared,  that  your 
desire  is,  that  Christ  alone  may  reign  in  his  kingdom:' 
and  some  of  you  I  have  known  to  be  tender  towards 
jiny  who  looked  that  way.  Oh!  that  there  were  such  a 
heart  in  you,  to  lay  aside  all  your  own  wills,  and  car- 
nal consultations,*^  and  to  take  counsel  at  the  spirit  of 
the  Lord,  and  be  guided  by  his  pure  light,  shining  in 
your  conscience,  which  would  bring  you  into  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  and  to  depart  from  self-ends,  interests  and 
exaltations,  and  to  follow  the  law  of  God,  in  establish- 
ing laws  for  yourselves  and  others  to  walk  by,  and  that 
3^ou  may  follow  the  prf^ciice  of  the  saints  left  in  scrip- 
ture, without  wresting  it,  that  so  you  might  come  to 
have  unity  with  them  in  the  same  spirit  that  gave  them 
forth,"  and  so  be  guided  by  the  same  spirit  of  justice  and 
judgment,  by  which  all  were  guided  that  ever  have  ruled 
well  in  all  ages,  whom  God  did  bless,  and  hath  honour- 
ed for  ever:  that  so  God  may  bless  you,  and  establish 
you,  and  preserve  the  nation  out  of  the  hands  of  yours 
and  the  nation's  enemies;  and  that  you  may  be  honour- 
ed with  taking  away  oppression,  and  wicked  and  unjust 
rulers,  who  are  the  cause  of  it,  who  judge  not  the  cause 
of  the  poor  and  needy,  and  which  the  Lord  hath  been 
grieved  at  these  many  years.^  But  if  you  forget  your- 
selves and  what  you  have  promised  before  the  Lord,  in 
the  day  when  you  sought  unto  him  for  deliverance,  and 
so  exalt  yourselves  over  the  poor,  and  set  up  your  own 
laws,  and  not  the  law  of  God  in  its  purity:  I  declare 

a  John  16,  22.  blsa.9,6,7.  c  A[no3  3,2.  dIsa.3Q,  1.  e  Psal.  89, 14, 15, 16.  fha. 
1,23.    Zach.  7.9,  10,  to  the  end. 


(    93  ) 


linto  you  this  day  from  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  he 
will  overturn  you,  and  raise  up  his  kingdom  another 
way  f  whether  you  will  hear,  or  whether  you  will  for- 
bear, the  word  of  the  Lord  shall  stand,  for  the  almighty 
God  hath  been  shaking  the  nations,  that  his  glory  may 
appear;  and  there  shall  be  no  rest,  until  his  kingdom  be 
established  above  all  mountains.  Hear  all  ye  po\yers 
of  the  earth,  the  Lord  alone  will  reign. 

This  I  am  to  declare  abroad,  that  they  who  are  wise- 
hearted,  may  understand  and  fear  before  the  Lord  God 
almighty:  the  time  is  at  hand;  he  that  believes  shall  be 
established.  James  Nayler. 


THE  WAY  HOW  ALL  FLESH  COME  TO  KNOW  THE  LORD  AND  FEAR 
HOI,  BY  HIS  TERRIBLE  SHAKING  THE  EARTHLY  PART  IN  MAN, 
WITNESSED  BY  THE  HOLY  MEN  OF  GOD  IN  SCRIPTURE. 


For  in  my  jealousy  and  in  the  fire  of  my  wrath  have  I  spoken;  surely  in  that 
day  there  shall  be  a  great  shaking  in  the  land  of  Israel,  so  that  the  fishes 
of  the  sea,  and  the  fowls  of  the  Heavens,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field,  and 
all  creeping  Ihings  that  creep  upon  the  earth,  and  all  the  men  that  are 
upon  the  face  of  the  earth  shall  shake  at  my  presence,  and  the  moun- 
tains shall  be  thrown  down,  and  the  steep  places  shall  fall,  and  every 
wall  shall  fall  to  the  ground.  Ezek.  xxxviii.  19,  20. 

Take  heed  how  you  speak  evil  of  the  things  you 
know  not,  Jude  10.  You  who  neither  know  the  Lord, 
nor  his  works  in  yourselves,  take  heed  how  you  judge 
it  in  others;  you  are  without  God  in  the  world.  And 
the  works  of  God  have  always  been  strange  to  that  na- 
ture which  your  live  in,  but  search  the  Scriptures,  and 
you  shall  find  that  the  holy  men  of  God  do  witness  qua- 
king and  trembling,  and  roaring,  and  weeping,  and  fast- 
ing and  tears;  but  the  world  knows  not  the  saints  con- 
ditions: but  beware  therefore  lest  that  come  upon  you 
which  is  spoken  of  in  the  prophets  and  apostles,  of  such 
despisers  and  scorners  as  you  are. 

Behold  ye  despisers,  and  wonder,  and  perish ;  for  I 
work  a  work  in  your  days,  a  work  which  you  shall  not  in 
any  wise  believe,  though  a  man  declare  it  unto  you. — 
Acts  13.  40, 41.    The  Lord  reigneth,  let  the  people 


ulsa  42.2:3.    Isa.  14.26,  27.    Hag.  2.  5,7. 


(    94  ) 


tremble;  hesitteth  between  the  cherubims,  let  theeartli 
be  moved,  Psal.  99. 1.  Tremble  thou  earth  at  the  pre- 
sence of  the  Lord,  at  the  presence  of  the  God  of  Jacob, 
Psal.  114.  My  flesh  trembleth  because  of  thee,  and  I 
am  afraid  of  thy  judgments,  Ps.  119.  120.  He  looketh 
upon  the  earth, and  it  trembled:  he  toucheth  the  hills, 
and  they  smoke,  Psal,  114.  30,  A  fire  goeth  before  his 
face,  and  burneth  up  all  his  enemies  round  about.  His 
lightning  enlightneth  the  world;  the  earth  saw  and  trem- 
bled: the  hills  melted  like  wax  at  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  Psal.  97.  3,  4,  5.  Fearfulness  and  trembling  are 
come  upon  me,  and  horror  hath  overwhelmed  me,  Psal. 
55.  5.  So  terrible  was  the  voice,  that  Moses  said,  I  ex- 
ceedingly fear  and  tremble:  whose  voice  then  shook  the 
earth;  but  now  he  hath  said,  that  once  more  I  shake 
not  the  earth  only,  but  Heaven  also,  Heb.  12.  21,  26. 

When  Paul  heard  the  voice  of  Christ,  he  trembled  and 
astonished  said, Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do? 
Acts  9.  6,  The  Corinthians  received  Titus  in  obedience, 
with  fear  and  trembling,  2  Cor.  7.  15.  Paul  was  with 
the  Corinthians  in  weakness  and  fear,  and  much  tremb- 
hng,  1  Cor.  2.  3.  When  Paul  reasoned  of  righteousness, 
temperance  and  judgment  to  come,  Felix  trembled.  Acts 
24.  25.  The  apostle  exhorts  the  saints,  to  work  out 
their  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  Phil.  2. 12.  The 
goaler,  when  he  believed,  he  came  trembling,  and  fell 
down  before  Paul  and  Silas,  Acts  16.29.  When  Isaac 
blessed  his  sons,  he  trembled  very  exceedingly,  Gen.  27. 
13.  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  that  tremble  at  his 
word;  your  brethren  that  hated  you,  that  cast  you  out 
for  my  name  sake,  said,  let  the  Lord  be  glorified :  but  he 
shall  appear  to  your  joy,  and  they  shall  be  ashamed, 
Isa.  66.  5.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  to  this  man  will  I 
look,  even  to  him  that  is  poor,  and  of  a  contrite  heart, 
and  trembleth  at  my  words,  Isa.  66.  2.  Oh!  that  thou 
wouldst  rent  the  Heavens,  that  the  mountains  might 
flow  down  at  thy  presence, as  when  the  melting  fire  caus- 
eth  the  water  to  boil :  and  to  make  his  name  known  to  his 
adversaries,that  the  nations  may  tremble  at  his  presence, 
Isa.  64. 1,  2.  Yea,  I  will  make  many  people  amazed  at 
thee,  and  their  kings  shall  be  horribly  afraid  for  thee. 


(    95  ) 


when  1  shall  brandish  niy  sword  before  them,  and  they 
shall  tremble  at  every  moment,  every  man  fot  his  own 
life,  in  the  day  of  thy  fall,  Ezek.  32.  10. 

When  Habakkuk  heard  the  voice,  his  belly  trembled, 
his  lips  quivered,  and  rottenness  entered  into  his  bones, 
and  he  trembled  in  himself,  that  he  might  rest  in  the  day 
of  trouble,  Hab.  3.  16.  When  Daniel  saw  the  vision,  he 
stood  trembling,  and  they  that  were  with  him,  thought 
they  saw  it  not,  yet  a  great  quaking  fell  upon  them,  so 
that  they  fled  to  hide  themselves,  Dan.  10.7,  11.  When 
God  sets  up  his  son  as  king,  all  are  exhorted  to  serve 
him  with  fear,  and  rejoice  with  trembling,  Psal.2.  6, 11. 

When  Job  remembered  God,  he  was  afraid,  and 
trembling  took  hold  of  his  flesh.  Job  21.  6.  The  pillars 
of  Heaven  tremble,  and  are  astonished  at  his  presence, 
Job  36.  11.  Which  shaketh  the  earth  out  of  her  place, 
the  pillars  thereof  tremble.  Job  9.  6.  Thou  hast  made 
us  to  drink  the  wine  of  astonishment,  thou  hast  made 
the  earth  to  tremble:  thou  hast  broken  it,  heal  the 
breaches  thereof,  for  it  shaketh,  Psal.  60.  2,  3.  The 
earth  shook,  the  Heavens  also  dropped  at  the  presence 
of  the  God  of  Israel,  PshI.  68.  8.  And  the  land  shall 
tremble  and  sorrow;  for  every  purpose  of  the  Lord  shall 
be  performed  against  Babylon,  Jerem.  51.  29. 

When  Ezra  heard  of  the  peoples  sins,  he  plucked  his 
hair  off  his  head ;  and  off  his  beard  ;  he  rent  his  garment, 
and  sat  down  astonished;  and  there  assembled  unto 
him  all  that  trembled  at  the  word  of  the  God  of  Israel, 
Ezra  9.  3,  4.  The  people  were  to  enter  into  covenant 
with  God,  by  the  counsel  of  those  that  trembled  at  the 
command  of  God,  Ezra  10.  3.  The  Lord  will  take  the 
cup  of  trembling  out  of  the  hands  of  his  people,  and 
put  into  the  hands  of  those  that  afflict  them,  Isa.  51,  22, 
23.  When  the  Lord  shall  roar,  then  the  children  shall 
tremble  as  a  bird,  Hos.  11.  10,  11.  Shall  not  the  land 
tremble  for  this,  and  every  one  mourn  that  dwelleth 
therein?  And  all  feasts  shall  be  turned  into  mourning, 
and  all  songs  into  lamentation,  as  a  lamentation  for  an 
only  son,  Amos.  8.  8,  10.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
yet  a  little  while,  and  I  will  shake  the  Havens,  the 
earth,  the  sea,  and  the  dry  land :  and  I  will  shake  all 


(    96  ) 


nations,  and  the  desire  of  all  nations  shall  come,  and  I 
will  fill  my  house  with  glory,  saith  the  Lord,  Hagg.  2.6, 
7.    I  beheld  the  mountains,  and  lo,  they  trembled,  and 
all  the  hills  moved  lightly,  Jer.  4.  24.    At  his  wrath  the 
earth  shall  tremble,  and  the  nations  shall  not  be  able  to 
abide  his  indignation,  Jer.  10.  10,    Tremble  ye  women 
that  are  at  ease;  be  troubled  ye  careless  ones:  strip  ye, 
and  make  ye  bare,  and  gird  sackloth  upon  your  loins, 
Isa.  31.  11.    Jeremiah  said,  his  heart  was  broken  within 
him;  and  all  his  bones  shaked  because  of  the  Lord,  and 
because  of  the  word  of  his  holiness,  Jer.  23.  9.  The 
elders  of  Bethlehem  trembled  at  the  coming  of  Samuel, 
1  Sam.  16. 4.    Ezekiel  was  commanded  to  eat  his  bread 
with  quaking,  and  drink  his  water  with  tren^bling  and 
with  carefulness,  Ezek.  12.  18.    Blow  the  trumpet  in 
Sion,  sound  an  alarm  in  my  holy  mountain.    Let  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  land  tremble ;  for  the  day  of  the  Lord 
cometh;for  it  is  nigh  at  hand,  Joel  2.1.    For  in  my 
jealousy,  and  in  the  fire  of  my  wrath,  have  I  spoken: 
'surely  in  that  day  there  shall  be  a  great  shaking  in  the 
land  of  Israel,  so  that  the  fishes  of  the  sea,  and  the 
fowls  of  the  Heaven,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field,  and 
all  creeping  things  that  creep  upon  the  earth,  and 
all  the  men  that  are  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  shall 
shake  at  my  presence,  and  the  mountains  shall  be 
thrown  down,  and  the  steep  places  shall  fall,  and  every 
wall  shall  fall  to  the  ground,  Ezek.  38.19,  20.  When 
God  heard  David's  prayer  out  of  his  holy  temple,  the 
earth  shook  and  trembled,  the  foundations  of  the  hills 
moved,  and  were  shaken  because  he  was  wroth,  Psal, 
18.  6,  7. 

David  roared  all  the  day  long,  and  was  weary  with 
his  groanings:  he  wept  all  the  night,  and  made  his  bed 
to  swim  with  tears:  he  fasted  till  his  knees  grew  feeble, 
and  his  flesh  failed  of  fatness;  until  he  could  number  his 
bones,  while  he  suffered  the  terrors  of  God.  He  was 
distracted ;  he  was  a  reproach  among  men  for  so  doing, 
and  despised  of  the  people.  All  that  saw  him,  laughed 
him  to  scorn;  he  was  a  mocking  to  the  wicked,  they 
made  mouths  at  him,  and  shaked  the  head  at  him:'  the 


aPsalmsSS.  8.  Ps.  32.  3.  Ps.G.  6.  Ps.  109.  24.  Pa.  22.  6,  7, 17.  ft.  88. 15.  Ps 
^5.16.   Ps.22.16.    Pa.  41. 6.   /'s.  71- 7, 


(    97  ) 


drunkards  made  songs  of  him;  he  was  a  taunt  and  a 
by-word  among  them.  Dogs  compassed  him  about,  the 
assemblies  of  wicked  men  enclosed  him;  vain  persons 
came  to  see  him,  that  they  might  tell  it  abroad;  and  he 
was  a  wonder  to  many,  and  a  stranger  to  his  brethren, 
and  his  kinsmen  stood  a  far  off.  ^ 

Thus  saith  the  Lord,  we  have  heard  a  voice  trem- 
bling of  fear,  and  not  of  peace.  Ask  now,  and  see  wheth- 
er a  man  doth  travel  with  child:  wherefore  do  I  see 
every  man  with  his  hands  on  his  loins,  as  a  woman  in 
travail,  and  all  faces  are  turned  into  paleness  ?  Alas,  for 
that  day  is  great,  so  that  none  is  like  it;  it  is  even  the 
time  of  Jacob's  trouble,  but  he  shall  be  saved  out  of  it, 
Jer.30.  5,6,7. 

Hear  now  this,  ye  foolish  people,  and  without  under- 
standing, which  have  eyes  and  see  not ;  which  have  ears 
and  hear  not;  fear  ye  not  me,  saith  the  Lord?  Will  ye 
not  tremble  at  my  presence?    Jer.  5,  21,  22. 


A  WORD  TO  THE  SEED  OF  THE  SERPEIST,  OR  MlXISTfiRS  OF 
ANTICHRIST,  OR  MAN  OF  SIN,  WHEREVER  FOLND. 

Know  this  thou  subtle  one,  who  hast  long  upholden  a 
kingdom  of  sin,  unrighteousness,  injustice  and  oppres- 
sion, with  all  manner  of  filthiness  by  thy  wisdom,  that 
now  the  day  of  thy  torment  is  at  hand;  for  now  is  that 
seed  arisen,  which  is  appointed  to  discover  thee  and  thy 
deceitful  workings,  and  to  bruise  thy  head,  and  to  lay  all 
thy  pride  and  glory  in  the  dust:''  and  he  will  set  up  a 
kindom  of  righteousness,  purity  and  holiness  in  the 
hearts  of  his  people,  who  have  been  deceived  through 
thy  divination  and  witchcrafts  these  many  years.  And 
you  ministers  of  antichrist,  who  have  giade  people  be- 
lieve that  you  were  the  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ,  the 
son  of  righteousness,  by  your  crying  out  against  sin  in 
words,  and  making  poor  ignorant  people  think  that  you 
were  enemies  to  all  unrighteousness,  and  lovers  of  puri- 
ty and  perfection ;  but  now  that  the  Lord  is  bringing  out 
a  people  out  of  the  unrighteous  world,  destroying  the 


^  ha.  ^.  14,  lo 


13 


body  of  sin,  and  bringing  them  up  to  righteousness,  ho- 
liness and  perfection,  even  to  the  image  of  his  dear  son, 
in  which  they  were  created,  and  so  to  himself  again,  ' 
from  whence  they  were  fallen  by  sin,  and  could  no  other 
way  be  restored,  but  by  being  made  the  righteousness  of 
God  in  Christ,  2  Cor.  5.  17, 18,  19,  20,  21.  Which  God 
having  begun  to  effect,  now  you  are  forced  to  uncover 
and  show  yourselves,  whose  ministers  you  are,  and  what 
kingdom  you  stand  for,  with  all  your  power  opposing 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  is  in  holiness  and  perfec- 
tion; and  now  you  are  forced,  lest  the  man  of  sin  should 
fall  to  tell  the  same  people  to  whom  you  have  been  all 
this  while  talking  against  sin,  impurity  and  imperfection, 
that  they  must  never  look  while  they  are  here  to  over- 
come sin,  the  world,  and  the  devil,  nor  ever  come  to 
pnrity  and  perfection:''  and  thus  you  labour  to  keep  a 
hold  for  the  man  of  sin  as  long  as  people  live;  and  so 
persuade  them  to  leave  the  work  of  redemption  and 
freedom  till  after  death,  or  you  know  not  when,  and  thus 
encourage  people  to  spend  their  days  in  folly,  and  leave 
the  world  with  torment  and  horror  at  their  death. 

Now  it  being  that  you  are  ignorant  of  that  pure  light 
of  the  spirit  that  convinceth  those  who  will  own  it,  I 
am  moved  from  the  Lord,  for  the  simple  ones  sake,  who 
have  been  long  deceived  by  you,  to  give  some  discoveries 
to  yourselves,  and  all  who  will  see  whose  ministers  you 
are,  and  for  w  hose  kingdom  you  minister. 

And  first,  you  that  say  none  can  be  free  from  sin 
while  they  are  here,  you  are  ministers  against  the  truth, 
John  8.  32,  34. 

Secondly,  you  are  against  that  which  the  father  prom- 
ised at  the  coming  of  Christ,  Mat.  1.21.  John  1.  29. 
Jer.  50.  20. 

Thirdly,  you  are  against  the  end  for  which  Christ 
came  into  the  world,  John  8.  34,  36. 

Fourthly,  you  are  against  the  end  of  Christ's  suffer- 
ings. Gal.  1.  4.  1  Pet.  3. 18.  Rom.  4.  25,  Rom.  6.  10, 11. 
2  Cor.  5.  21.  1  Pet.  2.  21,  22. 

Fifthly,  you  are  against  the  end  of  Christ  being  man- 
ifested in  the  saints,  Rom.  8.  3,  4.    1  John  3. 8.  and  3.  5. 


a2Thess.3,4* 


(    99  ) 


Sixtlily,  you  are  against  that  which  manifests  the 
children  of  God  from  the  children  of  the  devil,  1  John  3. 
10.  and  5.  18. 

Seventhly,  you  are  against  the  command's  of  God 
and  Christ,  Isa.  52. 11.  John  8.  11.  1  Tim.  1.  5.  John 
5,  14. 

Eighthly,  you  are  against  that  which  the  saints  did 
witness  wrought  in  them  by  Christ,  Rom.  6.  1,  6,  7,  18,, 
22.  Rev.  1.  5.  I  Pet.  2.  24.  1  John  3.  6.  1  Job  5.  18. 
Col.  2.  11. 

And  you  that  say,  none  can  come  to  holiness  and 
perfection  while  they  are  here;  and  to  prove  this  you 
take  the  saints  conditions,  which  the}  declared  as  they 
were  passing  on  in  growth  towards  it:  and  hence  you  go 
about  by  your  subtility  to  make  people  believe  that  they 
never  did  attain  to  perfection;  and  all  this,  lest  any 
should  press  after  it,  as  though  God  did  command  his 
people  to  labour  for  that  which  is  not  to  be  attained. 
And  now  judge  (if  you  were  not  blind)  whom  you  min- 
ister for,  and  whom  you  are  against. 

First,  you  are  against  the  end  for  which  Christ  offered 
up  himself,  Heb.  10.  14.  Tit.  2.  14. 

Secondly,  you  are  against  the  commands  of  God,  Mat. 
o  48.  1  Pet.  1.  16.  Levit.  11.  44.  Deut.  18.  13.  Levit. 
20.  7,  12,  13. 

Thirdly,  you  are  against  the  end  for  which  Christ 
comes  into  the  saints,  John  17.23. 

Fourthly, you  are  against  the  end  for  which  Christ  be 
gifted  and  sent  out  all  his  ministers  into  the  world, 
Ephes.  4.  11,  12,  13. 

Fifthly,  you  are  against  the  work  of  the  apostles  and 
prophets,  to  whom  they  writ  and  taught.  Jam.  1.4.  2 
Cor.  7.  Land  13. 11.  i  Chron.  28.9.  Heb.  6.1. 

Sixthly,  you  are  against  that  which  the  apostles  and 
ministers  of  Christ  laboured  and  prayed  for  to  be  wrought 
in  the  saints,  night  and  day,  1  Thes.  3.  10.  Col.  1.  28. 
Heb.  13.  20,  21.  1  Pet.  5.  10.  Col.  4.  12. 

Seventhly,  you  are  against  the  end  for  which  the 
Scriptures  are  written,  2  Tim.  3. 16,  17. 

Eighthly,  you  are  against  the  testimony  God  himself 
bears  of  his  own.  Gen.  6.  9.  Job.  1 . 8.  and  2.  3, 


C  100  ) 


Ninthly,  you  are  against  what  the  saints  witnessed  to 
be  in  themselves  and  others,  2  Kings  20.  3.  Phil,  2  15. 
1  Cor.  2.  6.  2  Cor.  12.  9,  Prov.  2.  21.  and  11.  5.  Psal. 
37.  37.  and  64.  4.  and  101.2.  Heb.  12.  23.  1  John  3.3. 
and  4.  17. 

Tenthly,  you  are  against  that,  without  which  God 
and  man  can  never  be  reconciled  in  one  again,  Heb.  7. 
19.  Hab.  1.  13.  Dan.  9.  44.  2Tim.  2.  21.  1  Cor.  3.  17. 
Mat.  5.  8.  Psal.  1.5.  Prov.  15.  9,  29.  Psal.  5.4. 

And  now  let  th^m  who  are  wise  hearted,  judge  whose 
ministers  you  are,  that  are  thus  against  God,  and  the 
recovery  of  lost  man  into  his  first  estate,  and  see  if  it  be 
not  the  same  spirit  that  acts  you  thus  in  subtility  to  keep 
man  in  the  fall,  by  which  the  fall  of  man  was  occasioned 
at  the  first;  and  let  all  judge  whether  you  be  the  minis- 
ters of  righteousness,  or  of  unrighteousness;  of  Christ 
the  king  of  purity  and  peace,  or  of  antichrist,  the  prince 
of  this  world  and  man  of  sin,  and  opposition;  now  by 
your  fruits  you  are  known  and  shall  be  judged:  where- 
fore repent  and  cease  liixiiting  the  Lord,  and  measuring 
the  pure  spirit  of  God  in  his  people,  whom  he  hath  call- 
ed out  of  the  world,  and  sanctified  thereby  unto  fruits  of 
righteousness,  obedience,  holiness  and  perfection;  and 
measure  not  this  with  that  spirit  of  pride,  covetousness, 
self  love,  and  envy,  and  persecution  which  rules  in  you, 
who  are  yet  in  the  world,  and  the  love  of  it,  which  is 
enmity  with  God,  James  4.  4.  But  see  within  yourselves 
what  is  the  cause  why  you  are  such  enemies  to  right- 
t  eousness  and  perfection:  you  are  too  rich  in  yourselves, 
in  your  own  wisdom,  by  your  earthly  wisdom,  to  wait 
for  the  good  and  perfect  gifts  of  God  from  above,  James 
1.17.  You  envious  ones,  you  want  the  bond  ofperfect- 
ness,  which  is  charity.  Col.  3.  14.  You  hypocrites,  who 
hear, and  say,  and  do  not  that  which  leads  to  it;  how 
can  you  come  to  perfection?  James  1.  22,  23,  24,  25. 
You  are  too  much  in  words,  but  too  little  in  practice  to 
come  to  perfection:  for  faith  is  made  perfect  through 
works,  and  not  through  words,  Jam.  2.  22.   1  Cor.  4.  20. 

And  you  fat  worldlings,  who  live  in  pride,  pleasure 
and  fulness,  and  have  your  hearts  in  the  earth,  see 
Luke  8,  14.  and  there  Christ  tells  you  the  plain  cause 


(  101   )  ^ 


why  you  bring  no  fruit  to  perfection:  now  wo  unto  yon 
who  have  set  yourselves  in  places  to  lead  people  up  to 
God  out  of  the  fall,  sin  and  uncleanness;  but  now  when 
the  Lord  is  come,  none  are  found  suchopposers  of  puri- 
ty as  vou  are:  O  repent!  how  long  will  it  be  ere  you 
cease  to  pervert  the  ways  of  God  for  your  own  ends?  Oh 
that  you  had  ey(?s  to  see,  that  you  might  make  peace 
with  him,  least  he  tear  you  in  pieces,  and  there  be  none 
to  deliver. 

And  now  to  you  poor  scattered  sheep,  who  have  been 
scattered  by  these  hirelings,  in  this  cloudy  dark  day, 
which  hath  been  upon  all  flesh  spread  upon  the  face  of 
the  earth,  and  you  have  been  running  from  mountain  to 
hill  to  find  the  Lord,  but  have  not  found  him,  who  is  to 
give  rest  to  your  souls:  and  many  of  you  are  still  wan- 
dering you  know  not  where.    Others  have  seated  them- 
selves under  green  trees,  and  are  worshipping  you  know" 
not  what,  but  as  #hers  tells  you,  who  know  as  little  of 
the  true  and  living  God  as  yourselves.    Others  are  wea- 
ry with  seeking  where  nothing  can  be  found,  and  are 
fallen  asleep  in  the  world  of  ease  and  carelessness. 
Others  have  their  ears  open  to  all  voices,  which  cry,lo^ 
here,  lo,  there,  but  know  not  who  to  trust,  being  all  in 
confusion.    Now  all  awake  to  meet  the  Lord,  who  is 
arisen  to  seek  and  save,  and  gather  into  one  fold  all  his 
scattered  ones,  and  to  bring  them  up  to  Zion  the  holy 
city,  where  he  will  feed  them  himself  alone,  without 
^fear, in  good  pasture,  where  they  shall  lie  down  in  peace: 
'  now  come  off  from  all  your  blind  guides,  that  are  not  in 
the  way  themselves;  nor  can  they  direct  others  where 
the  way  is:  come  out  of  the  world  and  worldly  cares 
and  pleasures,  and  return  to  the  Lord  in  spirit,  he  is 
within  you,  and  there  if  you  wait  in  spirit  you  shall  hear 
him  speak  to  your  spirits,  to  the  directing  your  minds 
out  of  all  the  works  of  darkness  and  sin,  up  to  God, 
where  no  sin  is,  nor  unclean  thing  can  come;  and  if 
you  mind  to  obey  his  voice,  he  will  teach  you  to  lay  aside 
all  your  dissembling,  and  hypocrisy,  whereby  you  have 
deceived  yourselves  and  others,  professing  godliness  in 
words,  but  denying  it  in  power,  and  you  will  find  power 
given  in  from  the  Lord,  to  become  what  you  profess  in 


(  102  ) 


reality  and  truth,  and  to  profess  no  more  but  what  yotr 
are,  that  God  may  have  glory  by  you,  and  take  delight 
to  dwell  in  you;  for  this  is  the  day  of  your  visitation, 
if  you  will  own  it;  the  day  of  salvation  from  all  sin 
and  unrighteousness,  the  day  wherein  all  the  children 
of  the  Lord  shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord,  and  great  shall 
be  their  peace,  in  righteousness  shall  they  be  established, 
and  they  shall  be  far  from  oppression,  Isa.  54,  13,  14. 
Many  of  you  have  had  great  travail,  and  gone  through 
many  sorrows  to  find  rest,  but  have  found  none:  many 
prayers  and  tears,  but  no  answer  of  peace:  many  days 
of  seeking,  but  have  not  found  him  whom  your  souls 
thirst  after:  and  all  this,  because  you  have  been  seek- 
ing the  living  among  the  dead:  he  is  not  to  be  found  in 
the  world,  nor  formal  worships,  nor  in  humane  wisdom 
and  learning;  but  he  is  only  to  be  found  as  he  reveals 
himself  freely  to  those  who  patiently  wait  for  him  in 
spirit.  Dear  people,  to  you  that  lo#  the  Lord  above 
all  earthly  things,  and  yet  have  not  your  minds  directed 
where  to  wait  for  him,  to  you  Isp^ak,  to  your  souls  that 
lie  in  death  till  they  hear  the  voice  of  the  son  of  God: 
he  is  near  you,  who  is  the  way  to  the  father,  look  not 
out,  he  is  within  you:  that  which  I  know  declare  I  unto 
you,  and  the  way  I  know,  where  I  have  found  my  belov- 
ed, my  saviour,  my  redeemer,  my  husband,  my  maker, 
•  who  hath  set  me  abo've  all  the  world,  my  sins,  my  fears, 
my  sorrows,  my  tears,  into  his  love,  to  live  with  him  in 
spirit  for  ever ;  but  dying  daily  to  all  visible  things,  prai- 
ses, praises  to  my  father  for  ever.  The  night  is  far 
spent,  the  day  is  at  hand,  come  out  of  darkness  all  that 
love  the  Lord,  into  his  marvellous  light,  where  you  shall 
see  what  you  have  been,  and  what  you  are  redeemed 
from,  that  you  may  live  and  praise  the  Lord ;  for  it  is 
the  living  that  praise  the  Lord,  and  not  the  dead:  arise, 
come  out  of  death,  come  away,  and  let  us  rejoice 
together  in  his  love,  in  the  life  of  our  king,  even  so, 
Amen, 

And  you  that  are  so  much  offended  at  perfection,  and 
being  cleansed  from  sin,  I  lerive  these  queries  with  you 
^0  consider. 


(   103  ) 


1.  Whether  any  imperfect  one  committing  sin,  be  the 
image  of  God,  yea  or  no? 

2.  Whether  any  can  witness  the  work  of  redeno- 
tion  complete  in  them  by  Christ,  while  they  comm't 
sin,  and  are  overcome  with  the  temptation  of  the  deviL 
yea  or  no? 

3.  Whether  any  imperfect  and  unclean  one  that  lives 
in  sin,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  yea 
or  no?  And  if  not,  how  shall  one  dying  in  sin:  and 
where  shall  he  be  made  perfect  and  clean,  seeing  the 
tree  must  lie  as  it  falls:  and  whether  you  own  a  purga- 
tory, yea  or  no? 

4.  Whether  a  christian  hath  ground  to  believe,  that 
he  may  be  recovered  by  the  second  Adam  into  that 
estate  in  which  he  was  created,  and  which  he  lost  in  the 
first  Adam,  yea, or  no? 

5.  Whether  God  created  man  and  woman  perfect, 
without  sin,  and  able  in  his  power  so  to  have  stood,  if 
they  had  not  forsaken  his  power,  and  consented  to  the 
wisdom  of  the  serpent,  yea  or  no? 

6.  Whether  God  and  man  be  wholly  reconciled,  till 
man  be  brought  into  that  estate  again, yea  or  no? 

7.  W^iether  all  those  that  both  by  their  life  and  doc- 
trine labour  to  persuade  people  to  abide  in  that  condi- 
tion of  sin,  imperfection  and  separation  from  God 
(which  Christ  come  to  destroy,  and  so  to  unite  man  to 
God  again)  be  not  ministers  of  antichrist,  and  for  the 
upholding  of  the  kingdom  of  the  devil,  yea  or  no? 


(  104  ) 


JL  DISCOVERY  OP  THE  WISDOM  WHICH  IS  FROM  BENEATH,  AND 
THE  WISDOM  WHICH  IS  FROM  ABOVE;  OR,  THE 
DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN  THE  TWO  SEEDS, 
/  THE  ONE  AFTER  THE  FLESH,  THE 

I  OTHER  AFTER  THE  SPIRIT. 

With  the  true  worship  of  God  after  the  spirit,  and  the  falso  worship  of  the 
world,  who  lives  in  outward  forms,  useth  customs  and  traditions,  not 
knowing  the  only  true  God,  that  dweileth  in  his  saints,  and  rules  by  liia 
spirit  of  power,  which  causeth  them  to  differ  from  the  world,  and  those 
that  have  the  form  of  godliness,  and  want  the  power  thereof. 

Also  the  subtility  of  the  serpent,  ruling  in  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 
disobedience,  discovered. 

And  a  call  to  repentance  to  all  that  run  on  in  bliadness,  darkness  and 
ignorance;  and  the  judgment  that  is  due  to  all  those  that  will  not  take 
counsel  of  the  Lord,  but  turn  the  grace  of  God  into  vantonness. 


Written  by  a  servant  of  the  Lord,  whom  the  world  scornfully  calleth  a 
Quaker,  who  is  prisoner  for  the  testimony  of  the  truth  at  Appleby,  in 
Westmoreland,  whose  name  is  James  Nayler. 


A  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  WISDOM  FROM  BENEATH,  AND  THE 
WISDOM  FROM  ABOVE. 

The  wisdom  from  beneath,  which  leadeth  into  bondage,  and  the  wisdom 
from  above,  which  leadeth  up  into  perfect  liberty,  where  there  is  free- 
dom and  communion  vjwth  the  father  and  the  son. 

Dear  friends,  all  mind  your  guide  within  you,  even 
the  pure  light  of  God,  which  bears  witness  against  all 
our  ungodly  ways,  ungodly  words,  thoughts,  works  and 
worships,  which  are  after  the  world,  and  leads  you  with- 
out from  the  Lord  your  guide,  for  what  stands  in  out- 
ward things,  devised  in  the  will  and  brain,  which  is  the 
serpent's  seat,  is  accursed  from  God,  kept  out  of  the 
kingdom,  where  the  earthly  will  hath  liberty,  leads  out 
to  visible  things,  and  feeds  upon  dust,  which  is  the  ser- 
pent's meat:  but  you,  who  desire  to  be  fed  with  that 
which  is  eternal,  lay  aside  all  your  wisdom,  which  is 
natural ;  for  the  natural  man  receives  not  the  spiritual 
things  of  God;  for  that  wisdom  shall  never  know  God, 
which  stands  in  the  will  of  man,  but  darkens  the  pure 
light  in  you,  and  opposeth  it.  And  if  ycu  abide  in  the 
pure  light  within,  you  shall  see,  that  whatever  the  light 
of  Christ  makes  appear  to  be  evil,  and  to  be  cast  off; 
then  the  other,  which  stands  in  man's  wisdom,  makes 
a  covering  for  it,  that  it  may  abide  still. 


(   105  ) 


And  thus  the  flesh  lusteth  against  the  spirit,  and  thm 
wisdom  which  ariseth  out  of  the  earth,  opposeth  that 
which  is  from  above,  and  calls  evil  good,  and  good  evil ; 
and  the  woe  being  upon  that  nature,  you  can  have  no 
peace  while  that  stands.  And  from  hence  comes  all 
your  troubles  and  darkness  within  you,  because  that  eye 
which  is  open  to  the  visible,  offends.  And  here  you 
are  shut  out  of  the  kingdom,  which  consists  in  righteous- 
ness, peace,  and  joy  in  the  holy  ghost  but  were  that  eye 
plucked  out,  and  you  turned  within,  to  see  with  that  eye 
that  is  single,  then  the  whole  body  would  be  full  of  light: 
and  abiding  in  that  light,  it  will  shew  you  a  path  which 
leads  to  purity  and  holiness,  without  which  none  shall 
ever  see  the  Lord:  and  it  will  let  you  see  a  law  written 
in  your  hearts,  even  the  righteous  law  of  the  new  cove- 
nant, which  is  a  book  sealed  to  all  the  wisdom  of  the 
world,  and  none  can  read  it  but  by  the  pure  light  that 
gave  it  forth;  which  light  as  it  ariseth  in  you,  it  will 
open  all  parables,  and  read  all  scriptures  within  you,  in 
your  measure. 

And  so  you  will  come  to  the  unity  with  all  saints  in 
measure,  and  so  come  to  Christ  the  first-born,  even  to 
the  innumerable  company  of  angels,  and  to  the  spirits 
of  just  men  made  perfect,  and  to  God  the  judge  of  all, 
where  no  serpents  wisdom  shall  ever  come.  And  that 
law  being  laid  open,  will  be  a  limit  to  the  carnal  mind 
when  it  would  run  forth;  and  the  judge  will  appear, 
who  will  pass  true  judgment  upon  all  things  as  they 
are  within  you,  and  a  separation  will  be  made  between 
the  precious  and  the  vile  in  you,  and  you  will  be  brought 
to  discern  vvhat  leads  to  obedience,  and  what  leads  to 
disobedience.  And  here  is  your  true  teacher,  whereby 
all  shall  be  taught  of  God,  as  faith  the  scripture:  and 
minding  this  light,,  it  will  shew  you  a  cross  to  be  daily 
taken  up,  whereby  all  the  unruly  nature  must  be  cruci- 
fied, for  all  must  be  brought  subject  to  the  yoke,  even  the 
most  rebellious  and  stiff-necked  in  you;  for  he  will 
tread  upon  the  necks  of  kings,  and  that  which  hath 
captivated  the  pure  in  you  must  go  into  captivity;  for 
now  the  Lord  is  risen  to  disquiet  the  earth,  and  them 
Jhat  are  at  rest,  yea,  wo  to  them  that  are  at  ease  in 

14 


(    106  ) 


Sion;  for  he  is  risen  who  is  to  rule  all  nations  with  a 
rod  of  iron,  and  to  deliver  the  oppressed,  and  so  set 
open  the  prison  doors,  and  so  set  the  prisoners  free,  that 
they  may  serve  him,  and  praise  his  name,  even  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  holy  and  pure,  blessed  for  ever- 
more. 

And,  dear  friends,  be  faithful  in  what  you  know,  take 
heed  of  making  a  profession  of  what  you  are  not,  and 
so  you  be  found  dissemblers  before  the  Lord;  but  keep 
low  in  meekness  and  patience,  standing  in  the  will  of 
God  in  all  things.  And  all  those  enemies  that  will  not 
that  Christ  should  reign  over  them  bring  them  before  the 
judge  that  they  may  be  slain,  even  upon  that  cross  that 
is  daily  to  be  taken  up,  for  the  cross  is  to  the  carnal, 
wild,  heady,  brutish  nature  in  you,  which  lies  above  the 
seed  of  God  in  you,  and  oppresseth  the  pure.  Now  giv- 
ing this  up  to  be  crucified,  makes  way  for  that  which  is 
pure  to  arise,  and  guide  your  minds  up  to  God,  thereto 
wait  for  power  and  strength  against  whatsoever  the 
light  of  God  makes  manifest  to  be  evil,  and  so  to  cast  it 
off,  and  so  you  shall  see  where  your  strength  lieth,and 
who  it  is  in  you  that  worketh  the  will  and  the  deed,  and 
then  you  shall  be  brought  into  a  possession  of  what  you 
have  but  had  a  profession,  and  find  the  power  of  what 
you  had  but  in  vi^ords,  which  is  hid  from  all  professions 
in  the  world,  and  is  revealed  no  other  way,  but  by  the 
pure  light  of  God  dwelling  in  you,  and  you  in  it. 

Take  heed  of  searching  into  the  hidden  things  of 
God  by  your  own  wisdom,  which  is  carnal,  for  that  hath 
God  shut  out  of  the  kingdom,  and  separated  it  from 
him,  and  the  things  of  God  and  his  kingdom  are  hid 
from  it,  and  it  is  appointed  for  utter  darkness,  accursed 
from  him,  and  doth  oppose  him  in  all  things;  and  in  all 
ages,  the  wisdom  of  the  great  men  of  the  earth  have 
persecuted  the  pure  wisdom  of  God,  and  accounted  it 
foolishness;  and  God  hath  said  this  shall  come  to 
nought.  And  abiding  in  the  pure  light  of  Christ  within, 
you  shall  see  that  same  wisdom  in  yourselves,  will  be 
consulting  and  leading  you  any  way,  rather  than  to 
wait  on  the  pure  light.  And  this  hath  been  a  tempter 
from  the  beginning,  and  hath  eaten  of  the  forbidden 


(    107  ) 


fruit,  and  that  which  hath  eaten  of  the  tree  of  knowl- 
edge, must  not  taste  of  the  tree  of  life;  but  shall  surely 
die.  And  the  flaniing  sword  is  to  this  wisdom:  there- 
fore turn  your  minds  within,  and  wait  for  a  wisdom  from 
above,  which  begins  with  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  which 
is  pure,  peaceable,  gentle  and  easy  to  be  entreated. 
And  if  you  keep  your  eye  to  this,  you  shall  see,  as  tiiis 
grows,  which  is  {)ure,  there  will  be  a  death  to  that  which 
is  sensual  and  carnal,  and  of  the  serpent;  and  as  you 
grow  in  this  pure,  you  will  grow  in  the  knowledge  of 
Christ  within  you.  And  this  is  not  to  be  attained  by 
seeking  without,  lo,  here  and  lo,  there,  but  only  by  keep- 
ing your  eye  within  to  the  invisible,  and  giving  diligent 
ear  to  that  voice  that  speaks  to  the  soul  and  spirit,  for 
the  ministry  of  Christ  is  to  the  spirits  in  prison,  not  to 
the  outward,  but  to  the  inward  man,  which  is  led  cap- 
tive and  imprisoned  by  that  serpentine  v/isdom  that 
rules  in  the  outward,  and  by  which  it  is  kept  in  death; 
which  once  coming  to  her  the  voice  of  (yhrist,  it  is 
raised  from  death  to  life;  and  then  that  scripture  is  ful- 
filled, the  dead  hear  the  voice  of  the  son  of  God,  and 
they  that  hear  shall  live.  And  this  being  once  restored 
to  life,  is  that  which  hath  fellowship  with  the  father  and 
the  son ;  yea,  it  is  one  with  them.  And  this  is  that 
which  as  it  ariseth,  overcomes  the  world  in  you,  gets  the 
victory  and  obtains  the  crown:  for  it  is  the  promised 
seed,  and  heir  of  all  the  promised  in  this  life,  and  that 
which  is  to  come;  but  there  is  no  agreement  between 
this  and  the  seed  of  the  serpent,  for  wherever  the  ser- 
pent's wisdom  seeks  after  this,  it  is  that  he  may  slay  it; 
but  God  hath  hid  it  from  him,  and  doth  hide  it  out  of 
the  serpent's  sight.  But  that  seed  sees  the  serpent 
where  he  is,  and  doth  judge  him,  and  condemn  him,  and 
bruise  his  head.  How  deep  are  thy  counsels,  O  Lord! 
past  finding  out! 


All  labouring  and  striving  by  forms,  customs  and  traditions,  come  short  of 
that  worship  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  The  two  ways  which  men  walk  in, 
viz.  the  spiritual  and  the  carnal,  the  difference  between  them;  and  how 
you  may  know  them  by  their  fruits. 

All  men  and  women  that  make  a  profession,  and  go 
under  the  name  of  christians,  and  say  you  love  Jesus 


(  108  ) 


Christ;  mind  him  whom  you  profess,  that  you  may  be 
taught  by  him  in  all  your  ways  and  worships,''  and  do 
not  suffer  yourselves  to  be  deceived  any  longer  by  fair 
speeches,  and  flattering  high  notions,  by  which  ypu  have 
been  blinded  foy  many  years,  and  led  on  to  worship  God 
in  outside  forms  and  customs,  after  the  traditions  and 
commandments  of  men,  which,  by  imaginary  imitations 
and  consultations,  they  have  set  up  for  their  own  ends, 
and  have  made  laws  to  bind  the  people  to  observe  them, 
contrary  to  that  light  shining  into  the  conscience  [the 
throne  of  Christ]  and  the  practice  of  Christ  and  his 
apostles;  and  so  have  made  the  word  of  God  of  none 
effect  by  their  traditions.''    But  neither  they  nor  you 
have  known  the  true  God,  who  is  worshipped  in  spirit  : 
for  whosoever  sinneth  hath  not  seen  him,  nor  known 
him.    He  that  saith,  1  know  him,  and  keepeth  not  his 
commandments,  is  a  liar;  nor  have  you  fellowship  with 
him,  nor  an  answer  of  acceptance  from  him,  though  you 
have  been  worshippers  in  your  formal  customs  all  your 
time,  and  have  many  times  afflicted  yourselves  from 
morning  till  evening,  yet  no  answer. 

And  herein,  how  much  you  have  resembled  those 
four  hundred  worshippers,  in  Elijah's  time,  if  ever  your 
eyes  be  open,  you  will  see.    But  the  living  God  is  not 
as  the  dumb  idols  to  those  who  know  him;  for  whom  he 
accepts,  he  answers,  and  hath  done  in  all  ages,  and  they 
are  brought  into  union  with  him,  and  know  him,  and 
how  he  will  be  worshipped;  not  by  hear-say,  but  from 
him  alone.    And  their  worship  is  not  an  imitation  by 
the  letter,  but  they  are  all  taught  of  him,  every  one  in 
his  measure,  and  they  walk  and  worship  him  by  his 
word,  and  the  word  is  nigh  them,  in  their  hearts  and  in 
their  mouths,  by  which  they  are  guided,  and  they  know 
his  voice:  but  these  are  sheep,  such  as  are  born  again, 
of  the  spirit,  not  after  the  will  of  man,  but  after  the 
will  of  God.' 

But  there  is  a  generation,  whose  sacrifices  God  doth 
not  accept,  whose  prayers  are  abomination,  and  whose 

aKph.4,14.  bPsal.  94,20.  Mark  7,1  3.  1  John  2,  4.  Ch.2.3,&  1,3, 6.  c  1  Kings 
18,26.29.  Psal.65,  4,5.  Jonah  2,  3.  Psal.  66.18.  19.  Jsa.  54,13.  Rom. 10,8.  Joh. 
10,14.  Gen. 4,  5.  Pro.  15,  8,  &  21,  4.  Hag.2,  13,14.  Pro.  3,  33.  John3.3,5.6. 
1  Cor,  15, 48,  49. 


(   109  ) 

ploughing  in  sin,  who  pollute  all  they  meddle  with,  who 
are  hated  of  the  Lord,  whom  Christ  prays  not  for;  for 
they,  their  sacrifice,  and  all  they  do  are  accursed  from 
God.  And  tliese  are  in  the  first  birth  children  of  wrath, 
and  enemies  to  God. 

Now  all  people  try  yourselves,  whether  you  be  in  the 
first  birth,  or  you  be  born  again:  there  is  a  first  Adam, 
^  and  there  is  a  second  Adai;n  \  and  they  who  are  in  the 
first,  bear  his  in^Ke:  and  they  who  are  in  the  second, 
bear  his  image  :^d  as  is  the  earthly,  such  are  they 
that  are  earthly ;  and  as  is  the  heavenly,  such  are  they 
that  are  heavenly.  And  these  are  contrary  the  one  to 
the  other;  the  one  being  from  above,  the  other  being 
from  below ;  the  one  the  seed  of  God,  the  other  the  seed 
of  the  serpent,  and  an  enmity  is  put  between  them  by 
God,  and  there  can  be  no  uniting  them  in  one;  for  what 
concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial,  or  the  believer  and  the 
unbeliever?'' 

The  first  man  is  of  the  earth,  earthly;  minds  earthly 
things,  lives  in  the  earth,  delights  in  the  earth,  lusts  after 
the  earth,  covets,  contends  and  sues  for  it;  for  his  treas- 
ure is  in  the  earth,  and  his  heart  is  with  it;  for  it  is  his 
portion,  and  his  thoughts,  words  and  wisdom  are  all  em- 
ployed about  it,  plotting  and  forecasting  how  to  compass 
it,  and  fetch  it  out  of  the  hands  of  others,  to  heap  up: 
but  is  never  satisfied,  but  is  a  servant  to  it;  it  is  his  life, 
his  joy;  if  it  be  taken  from  him,  his  comfort  is  gone:'  it 
is  his  God,  and  he  worships  it,  and  would  have  all  to 
worship  him,  because  of  the  abundance  of  it  that  he 
hath  got  together ;  for  he  knows  no  other  God,  nor  great- 
.  er  happiness  than  what  he  sees  with  carnal  eyes.  And 
this  all  his  actions  witness;  and  thus  is  he  exalted  above 
all  that  is  called  God,  and  opposeth  God  in  all  his  com- 
mands.   When  God  saith,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  the  tree 
of  knowledge;  for  if  thou  dost  thou  shalt  die:  the  ser- 
pent saith,  you  may  eat  of  it,  and  not  die,  but  live  better ; 
be  as  Gods.'^    When  God  saith,  thou  shalt  not  bow 
down,  nor  worship  any  creature  in  Heaven  or  earth;  for 
I  am  jealous  of  mine  honour,  and  will  not  have  it  given 


aGen,5.  J7.  bGen.3. 15.  cExod.5>.  d  2  Thess.  2.  4.  Gen.  2.17.  Gen.  3.  45, 
Mat.  4.  to.  Exo.20.5. 


f    110  ) 


lo  any  creature;  but  will  visit  that  sin  to  the  tliircl  and 
fourth  generation;  he  saith,  thou  shalt  bow  down  and 
worship  me,  and  thou  shalt  gain  by  it,  and  be  received 
into  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  and  the  glory  of  them, 
(for  there  I  am  prince)  and  I  will  bestow  great  things 
upon  thee:  but  if  thou  wilt  not,  I  make  a  decree, sign  it 
with  my  own  ring,  and  set  all  my  servants  to  act  it,  tliat 
all  thy  seed  shall  be  cut  off  out  of  my  dominions  in  one  , 
day.*  And  thus  to  oppose  God,  and  4|k  to  destroy  his 
seed  where  it  appears,  hath  been  hi^vay  frtMH  the  be- 
ginning, and  is  his  way  at  this  day.  And  here  are  all 
you  haters,  enviers  and  persecutors,  and  you  are  doing 
his  work,  and  you  are  acted  by  him  who  was  a  murderer 
from  the  beginning. 

The  second  man  is  the  Lord  from  Heaven,  and  he 
that  bears  his  image  minds  heavenly  things,  and  delights 
in  heavenly  things;  for  he  is  spiritual,  and  judgeth  not 
according  to  outward  appearance;^  for  the  evil  eye  that 
offends  is  plucked  out;  that  eye  which  leads  into  invis- 
ible things;  and  there  is  an  eye  turned  inward,  which 
pierceth  into  the  hidden  treasure  which  is  eternal,  which 
the  natural  eye  sees  not.'  And  having  once  got  a  sight 
of  the  true  riches,  he  casts  away  all  his  idols  and  idol- 
worships,  and  whatever  is  perishing,  and  treads  upon  all 
that  may  hinder  his  employment  thereof,  though  they 
have  been  never  so  dear  unto  him;  now  it  is  become 
base,  drosG  and  dung,  that  he  may  obtain  the  invisible 
riches:''  and  then  the  first  born,  whose  heart  is  in  the 
earth,  calls  him  a  fool  and  a  madman,  and  thinks  it 
strange  that  he  will  not  serve  the  world,  nor  the  times, 
for  money,  nor  have  men's  persons  in  admiration  becauset- 
of  advantage,  nor  observe  the  heathenish  customs  for 
fear  of  men ;  but  is  made  to  declare  against  them  in  open 
streets  and  markets.^  And  then  that  nature  which  lives 
in  these  things,  takes  up  stones  to  cast  at  him,  and  cries 
against  him  in  tumults,  away  with  him,  it  is  not  fit  he 
should  live,  for  he  breaks  all  customs  and  traditions, 
which  we  and  our  fathers  have  lived  in  so  many  years, 
and  turns  the  world  up-side  down:  but  being  blind, they 

a  Luke  4.  5,6,  7,8.    Hest.  3.    b  1  Cor.  15.  47.   Col. 1.15.    cPsal.25,14.  dPhil.3.A 
8.    eJudeie.    Acts  14. 16. 


C  in  ) 


cannot  see  that  the  Lord  is  in  him,,  who  counts  all  the 
customs  of  the  heathen  vain,  and  overturns  kingdoms 
and  nations  at  his  will,  and  thereby  makes  way  for  him 
to  reign,  whose  right  it  is."" 

The  old  man  worships  a  God  at  a  distance,  but  knows 
him  not.  nor  where  he  is,  but  by  relation  from  others, 
either  by  word  or  writing.^  And  as  he  receives  his 
knowledge  of  him  from  men,  so  his  worship  towards 
%him  is  taught  by  the  precepts  of  men;  and  if  men,  on 
whom  he  depends,  command  him  to  go  to  steeple-house, 
he  goes;  if  they  command  him  to  pray,  he  prays;  if  they 
command  him  to  sing,  he  sings;  if  they  bid  him  hear, 
kneel,  sit,  stand,  fast,  or  feast,  he  doth  it.  And  here  he 
hath  fellowship  with  men,  and  doth  as  his  neighbours  do. 
or  with  those  he  calls  brethren,  if  he  be  got  into  a  more 
strict  form ;  but  as  for  any  command  from  God  binding 
to  these,  or  any  communion  with  God,  or  answer  of  ac- 
ceptance from  him,  upon  every  performance,  he  looks  for 
no  such  thing  now  in  these  days;  as  though  God  was 
not  now  the  same  to  his  people  that  he  hath  been  in  all 
ages.  And  thus  in  vain  doth  he  worship,  receiving  for 
doctrines  the  commandments  of  men,'  and  so  uphold 
and  plead  for  a  customary  worship  in  a  form  of  tradition, 
which  he  is  resolved  to  practise  as  long  as  he  lives  ;^  but 
as  for  any  other  fellowship  with  God,  or  knowledge  of 
him,  or  overcoming  the  body  of  sin,  or  growing  up 
toward  perfection,  he  looks  for  none  while  he  is  here: 
but  he  hath  set  up  his  stand  as  far  as  he  intends  to  go, 
and  if  any  go  any  further,  or  witness  any  more  than  he 
knows,  he  accounts  it  blasphemy,  and  cries  out  against 
it,  as  a  thing  not  to  be  suffered,  and  with  carnal  weap- 
ons would  force  all  to  his  way :  but  who  have  eyes  open, 
see  him  to  be  blind. 

The  new  man  worships  a  God  at  hand,  where  he 
dwells  in  his  holy  temple,  and  he  knows  him  by  his  own 
word  from  his  dwelling  place,  and  not  by  relation  of 
others.  And  thus  the  holy  men  of  God  always  knew 
him;  for  Abraham  did  not  know  him  by  what  he  had 
spoken  to  Noah,  nor  the  prophets  by  what  he  had  spo- 


a  Acts  16.  20,  21.   b  IJohn  2.  4, &8.6.    Isa.29.  13.    c  Mat.  15.  6.   dHeb.  6.1. 


(   112  ) 


ken  to  Abraham,  nor  the  apostles  by  what  he  spoke  ta 
the  prophets,  nor  the  saints  by  what  he  spoke  to  the 
apostles;  but  he  that  believeth  hath  the  witness  within 
himself,  and  thereby  sets  to  his  seal  that  God  is  true; 
and  therefore  Christ  exhorts  to  have  salt  in  yourselves, 
and  the  apostles  exhort  the  saints  to  wait  for  the  appear- 
ance of  Christ  in  themselves,  and  to  wait  for  the  day 
star  arising  in  their  hearts;  and  they  knew  themselves 
to  be  the  sons  of  God,  by  the  spirit  that  he  had  given 
them;  and  so  doth  he  that  is  born  of  the  spirit;  and  by 
the  same  spirit  that  witnesseth  God  dwelling  in  him,  he 
is  taught  how,  and  where,  and  after  what  manner  he 
will  be  worshipped;'  and  he  knows  what  he  worships, 
and  he  worships  in  spirit,  and  he  prays  in  the  spirit,  and 
sings  in  the  spirit  and  with  understanding  also,  and  not 
in  form  and  custom;  and  he  hath  an  ear  open  to  hear 
what  the  spirit  saith,  by  which  he  is  taught  when  and 
how  to  pray,  to  sing,  to  fast  or  feast,  and  he  feasteth  of 
fat  things,  whereby  the  soul  is  nourished,  and  feeds  not 
the  lust,  he  feasts  the  inward  man,  and  not  the  outward  ; 
for  all  is  spiritual.  And  so  grows  in  the  spirit  into  near 
communion  with  God,  and  getting  victory  over  sin,  the 
world  and  the  devil.''  And  as  he  comes  into  purity,  he 
is  changed  into  the  image  of  the  Lord,  from  glory  to 
glory,  and  all  by  the  spirit. 

The  natural  man  is  carnal,  and  knows  not  the  things 
of  God,  but  what  he  knows  naturally,  as  brute  beasts, 
and  therein  he  doth  corrupt  himself,  and  doth  use  all 
his  knowledge  for  corrupt  ends;'  he  boasts  of  learning,, 
and  tongues  w^hich  are  natural,  and  these  he  useth  to 
defraud,  oppress,  and  over-reach  the  simple,  to  revenge, 
sue,  covet  and  heap  together  things  that  are  for  corrup- 
tion, and  with  the  same  natural  knowledge  and  tongues, 
he  steps  into  the  throne  of  Christ,  and  judges  of  the 
pure  invisible  things  of  God,  comparing  spiritual  things 
with  carnal,  and  thinks  none  knows  more  than  he:"^  but 
knows  nothing  as  he  ought  to  know;  yet  with  this  , 
knowledge,  and  that  power  he  hath  got  in  the  earth,  he 

aJohn4.24.  2Cor.6.16.  lCor.6.19.  Gen. 12.1, 2.  Hos.1.1.  IJohn  5.  10.  2 
Pet.  1.19.  Gal.4.  6,  7.  John  16. 13, 14.  26, 4. 22.  1  Cor.  14.  5.  Rev.  2.  7, 11,  17,  29: 
bRoni.8.29.   2Cor.3.l8.   cl  Cor.  2. 14.   dJude  10- 


(  113  ) 

sits  as  judge,  and  condemns  the  innocent,  and  lets  the 
guilty  go  free:  for  being  spiritually  blind,  he  calls  evil 
good,  and  good  evil;  and  his  seat  is  in  the  powers  of  the 
earth,  and  there  he  sits  as  Lord  from  the  beginning, 
bearing  rule  by  his  means.  And  here  he  exerciseth  his 
authority  in  the  heathenish  nature,  under  the  power  of 
the  prince  of  the  air,  who  hath  the  powers  of  darkness; 
but  blessed  be  the  father,  who  hath  hid  the  glorious 
things  of  the  kingdom  from  him,  and  hath  appointed 
that  this  wisdom  of  his  shall  come  to  nought.^ 

The  spiritual  man  is  begotten  by  the  spirit,  of  the  im- 
mortal se^d,  into  the  image  of  the  father,  he  knows  the 
father,  and  is  known  of  him,  not  by  relation  of  the  crea- 
ture, but  by  the  indwelling  of  God  in  him,  and  he  in  God, 
according  to  that  measure  of  light  revealed  in  him. — 
And  he  stands  in  the  will  of  God,  improving  that  he 
hath  freely  received  of  God,  whereby  he  grows  in  the 
knowledge  of  the  father  and  the  son,  from  grace  to 
grace,  from  faith  to  faith,  till  he  come  to  llie  unity  of  the 
faith,  and  knowledge  of  the  son-ship,  unto  a  perfect  man, 
unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ. 
And  standing  faithful  in  the  least  measure,  and  waiting 
therein,  the  light  of  Christ  under  the  cross,  and  not  look- 
ing out,  he  is  kept  in  peace,  from  the  crafty  and  slighty 
doctrines  of  men,  whereby  they  go  about  to  deceive. 
And  as  the  light  grows,  there  is  a  discerning  of  things 
that  differ,  to  choose  the  good,  and  refuse  the  evil ;  and 
as  the  son  ariseth,  the  judgment  is  brought  forth:  for  all 
judgment  is  committed  to  the  son,  and  so  the  saints  come 
to  judge  the  world;  yea,  angels,  and  are  made  able  to 
try  the  spirits,  whether  they  be  of  God,  or  no."  And 
that  old  serpent  is  judged  by  whom  formerly  they  have 
been  deceived :  and  so  that  which  is  born  of  God,  over- 
comes the  world,  sin  and  the  devil,  and  is  kept  out  of  all 
uncleanness,  in  which  the  carnal  mind  corrupts  itself.' 
And  thus  judgment  is  brought  forth  unto  victory,  and 
the  unjust  and  unclean  is  judged,  and  condenmed,  and 
kept  under  within  and  without. 

a  Mat.  20.  25,  26.  Luke  22.  53.  1  Cor.  2.  6,8.  Jatr.es  1.  18.  1  Pet.l.  23.  Col.  1.  K- 
Rora.8.29.  2Pet.3.18.  2Cor.3.18.  Eph.4.13,14.  b  John  5.  22. 27,. 30.  1  Cor.  6 
2,3.   clJohnS.  4,  5. 

15 


(   114  ) 


The  first  man  is  proud  and  lofty,  exalted  above  his 
brethren,  a  self-lover,  lives  to  the  flesh,  and  follows  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh  in  all  things,  and  brings  forth  fruit  to 
the  flesh  of  all  things;^  as  lying,  swearing,  whoring, and 
all  nnanner  of  evil,  and  for  a  covering,  makes  a  profes- 
sion of  godliness,  but  performs  nothing  but  for  self-ends, 
and  to  be  seen  of  men;  but  as  to  uprightness,  holiness 
and  purity,  he  is  an  enemy,  a  hater,  a  persecutor,  a 
scorner,  a  railer,  unreasonably  covetous,  would  have  all 
the  earth  and  Heaven  too,  would  live  in  pleasure  all  his 
life,  and  yet  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  would  be  an 
oppressor  here  ;^  and  upon  such  lies  all  the  righteous 
blood  that  hath  been  shed  from  the  first,  till  this  day. 

The  second  man  is  humbled  and  lowly,  meek  and  full 
of  love  to  all,'  honours  all  men  according  to  God,  with- 
out respect  of  persons,  would  have  all  to  come  to  life, 
stands  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  which  is  pure  and  peace- 
able, is  willing  to  be  a  fool  to  the  world  and  serpent's 
wisdom,  content  to  suffer  wrongs  buffettings,  persecu- 
tions, slanders,  reviling,  mocking,  without  seeking  re- 
venge, but  bears  all  the  venom  the  serpent  can  cast  upon 
him  with  patience,  and  thereby  overcomes  him  and 
bruiseth  his  head,  and  is  made  perfect  through  suffering, 
and  counts  it  joy,  and  rejoiceth  in  the  cross,  and  loss  of 
all  things  that  are  visible,  but  looks  at  that  which  is 
eternal,  for  he  knows  he  cannot  have  both;  for  to  be  a 
friend  to  the  world,  is  the  enemy  of  God.*^ 

Now,  all  dear  people,  judge  yourselves,  if  you  will  but 
deal  faithfully  with  yourselves,  there  is  that  within  you, 
that  wiU  tell  you  whence  you  are,  and  from  whether  of 
these  roots  all  your  actions  proceed:  for  if  the  root  be 
boly,  the  branches  and  fruit  will  be  iioly  also.  And  by 
the  fruits  you  bring  forth,  you  may  know  the  tree,  wheth- 
er you  be  of  the  first  birth,  or  you  be  born  again :  and  un- 
less you  be  born  again  you  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  Heaven.  You  have  long  time  taken  things  upon  trust 
from  men,  and  have  been  led  blind,  and  brought  forth 
fruits  unto  death,  and  have  been  servants  to  sin  and  the 
devil ;  let  the  time  past  be  sufficient  to  have  wrought 


a  Gen.  21.  9,  Gal.  5. 19, 20,21.  b  Num.  23.  10.  cJames2.  1,  9.  d  Gal.  5.  22.  2 
Ct>r,  4.  15.,18.    Jani£s4.  4. 


(   115  ) 


ttie  will  of  the  flesh.  And  now  approve  yourselves  the 
children  of  God,  in  your  actions,  for  by  your  fruits  you 
shall  be  judged.  God  is  holy,  and  his  children  bear  his 
image.  Oh!  redeem  your  time;  prize  your  souls,  and 
mind  that  which  is  eternal. 


JIOW  THE  SUBTILITY  OF    ^HE   SERPENT  WORKS  IN  THE  CHILDREN  01 
DISOBEDIENCE;   AND   HOW  HE  RAGES  WHERE  HE  SEES  THE 
IMAGE  OF  THE  PRINCE  OF  PEACE  APPEAR,  TO  SMOTHER 
AND  STRANGLE  THE  HOLY  CHILD  JESUS  CHRIST. 

O  THOU  subtle  serpent,  why  dost  thou  so  rage  at  the 
voice  of  the  Lord,  when  he  speaks  in  his  own;  whom  he 
hath  redeemed  T  And  why  art  thou  so  mad  against  his 
image,  where  it  is  renewed  and  doth  appear,  in  whom 
he  hath  begotten  to  himself?  Thou  hast  long  uttered 
thy  voice  in  open  streets,  by  blasphemous  swearing, 
cursing,  lying,  slandering,  railing,  false  accusing,  scorn- 
ing, and  all  manner  of  evil  speaking,  and  hast  brought 
forth  thy  image  in  thy  children,  in  persecuting,  killing, 
stoning,  mocking,  imprisoning,  covetousness,  drunken- 
ness, whoredoms,  thefts,  and  all  manner  of  evil  works 
and  deeds  of  darkness:  thou  hast  long  reigned  as  king 
on  earth,  and  in  earthly  hearts  and  carnal  minds,  and 
there  hast  showed  forth  thy  enmity  against  God  ;  and  in 
such  thou  aKt  exalted  above  all  that  is  called  God,  and 
hast  got  thy  will  upon  them,  and  hast  brought  them  to 
fall  down  and  worship  thee;  for  that  thy  pride  looks 
much  after.^  x\nd  as  thou  hast  divers  colours,  so  thou 
lookest  for  divers  kinds  of  worship;  and  where  thou  ap- 
pearest  in  greatest  glory,  there  thou  lookest  for  greatest 
worsliip.  And  those  who  will  obey  thee  herein,  to  them 
thou  givest  large  promises  of  great  things  in  the  world, 
and  they  shall  be  advanced  in  thy  partial  kingdom:  but 
there  is  a  seed  thou  couldest  never  bring  to  fall  down 
before  thee,  though  thou  hast  often  attempted  it,  and 
divers  ways;  sometimes  by  great  threatenings,  even  to 
destroy  the  whole  seed  at  one  blow,  as  in  Haman  to 
Mordecai,  and  all  the  seed  of  the  Jews,  because  he 
would  not  worship  thee ;'  and  sometimes  by  great  prom- 

a  Col.  3.  10, 11.  bRom.8.7  2The98.2.4.  Esth.3  5.fi.  C/i  5.  9, 13.  &  6.  13.— 
cEsth.3.  6 


(   "6  ) 


ises,  and  large  dissembling  proffers,  as  unto  Christ  the 
son  of  God,  shewing  him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world, 
and  the  glory  thereof,  saying,  all  this  will  I  give  thee,  if 
thou  wilt  fall  down  and  worship  me.^  But  this  seed  is 
that  which  is  appointed  to  bruise  thy  head,  and  lay  all 
thy  pride  in  the  dust.  And  the  voice  of  this  seed  is  ter- 
rible to  thee  where  it  speaks;  for  it  never  speaks  good 
concerning  thee,  but  evil.  And  this  seed  is  Christ,  who 
is  risen  in  his  saints,  to  discover  and  destroy  thy  kingdom, 
by  the  sword  of  his  mouth,  and  by  the  brightness  of  his 
coming;  for  he  speaks  death  to  thee  where  he  speaks, 
and  declares  thy  kingdom  to  be  death  and  darkness, 
and  thy  works  to  be  dead  works  ;*"  and  that  all  thy  ways 
lead  to  the  chambers  of  death ;  and  that  hell,  death  and 
destruction  are  the  portion  of  all  whom  thou  deceivest, 
and  leadest  on  in  the  broad  way.  But  wherever  the 
seed  of  God  appears,  it  holds  forth  life,  and  leads  into 
the  way  of  life,  works,  and  words  of  life  and  power:  for 
it  is  the  light  of  life,  and  leads  to  life  eternal.  And  as 
this  light  ariseth,  it  discovers  thee,  not  only  within,  but 
also  sees  thee  where  thou  art  in  the  world  ;  and  is  brought 
to  lay  thee  open  to  others,  and  all  thy  deceivable  work- 
ings, and  to  judge  and  condemn  thee.  And  this  is  the 
son,  and  where  he  is  he  is  the  light  of  the  world,  and 
judge  of  the  world;  for  the  father  hath  committed  all 
judgment  unto  the  son,  and  he  judgeth  thee  in  and  by  the 
saints.*" 

And  now  thou  seest  plainly,  that  if  he  do  but  speak, 
and  the  creature  hear  and  believe,  then  he  will  discover 
all  thy  subtility,  and  redeem  from  under  thy  power,  by 
which  thou  hast  deceived  the  nations,  and  ruled  over 
them  for  many  generations. 

And  therefore  now  thy  design  is  to  stop  his  mouth, 
that  he  iuay  not  speak  under  pain  of  imprisoning,  or 
killing  the  body  in  whom  he  speaks.*^  And  if  that  will 
not  prevail,  then  thou  persuadest  people  not  to  believe 
that  it  is  he  that  speaks  in  his  own,  calling  it  blasphemy 
for  any  to  confess  him  to  speak  in  them,  or  dwell  in  them 
now. 


a  Mat.  6.  8,  9.  bGen,3.15.  1  Kings  22.8'.  2Thess.  2.  8.  Rom.  8.  6.  Mat.  7.  13. 
c  1  Cor.  2. 15.  &  6. 2, 3.   d  Pro, 26.  25,26.   RevJ  12.  13, 15. 


(  117  ) 


0  thou  cursed,  crooked,  winding  serpent!  More  sub- 
tile than  all  the  beasts  of  the  field."  This  was  thy  way 
amongst  the  professing  wise,  knowing  Jews,  when  this 
seed  first  appeared  in  flesh,  to  make  them  believe,  that 
it  was  not  he  who  was  the  Christ,  the  saviour  of  the 
world;  he  was  too  poor,  too  plain,  and  of  too  mean  a 
stock  to  be  king  of  Israel:  We  know  tlus  man  from 
whence  he  is,  a  carpenter's  son,  and  his  kindred  are 
with  us,  and  none  believe  on  this  man  but  sinners,  wo- 
men and  children,  and  a  poor  people  that  know  not  the 
law,  and  they  are  accursed:  but  when  Christ  comes, 
then  the  rulers  will  own  him,  and  believe  in  him.'' 

Thus  by  persuading  them  to  look  for  great  things 
at  a  distance,  a  Christ  to  come,  who  would  appear  more 
glorious  to  their  carnal  eyes,  thou  prevailedst  in  them 
to  crucify  the  son  of  God,  and  redeemer  of  the  world. 

But  now  that  the  history  of  Christ  being  come,  and 
hath  suffered,  and  is  risen  again,  is  generally  believed, 
now  thy  design  is,  to  persuade  people  that  it  is  a  thing 
passed  long  since,  and  settest  them  on  to  cry  out  against 
the  Jews,  for  killing  of  him,  and  Judas  for  betraying 
of  hiras  and  thus  settest  one  of  thy  children  to  cry  out 
against  another,  making  these  believe,  that  they  are  in 
a  better  condition  than  their  fathers,  when  they  are  all 
found  in  one  and  the  same  work,  killing  some,  imprison- 
ing others,  mocking,  stoning,  beating  and  shamefully 
intreating  others;'  and  to  keep  them  on  in  this  work, 
persuadest  them,  that  it  is  not  Christ  they  persecute 
now;  for  Christ  is  in  heaven,  and  sits  at  the  right  hand 
of  God;  and  how  can  he  be  in  his  people  now?  He 
doth  not  appear  in  any  now,  or  speak  in  any  now;  nei- 
ther is  there  any  revelation.*^  It  was  so  in  the  apostles 
time,  and  the  saints  of  old  witnessed  such  things; 
but  it  is  blasphemy  for  any  now  to  confess  him  in  these 
days. 

And  thus  thou  beguilest  carnal  man,  led  by  carnal 
reason  to  look  for  a  carnal  Christ,  like  themselves,  who 
can  but  be  in  one  place,  or  person;  as  though  God  had 
now  found  some  new  way  to  speak  to  his  people,  and 

a  John 9,22.  &  6,24.  b  Mat.  21, 15.  John  7,  48,  49.  c  Mat.  21, 35,36.  dGal.l.l6» 
Mat.  11,27.    1  Cor.  2,14.   Heb.  1,2. 


(  118  ) 


not  by  his  son:  and  all  this  is  to  put  out  the  light,  lest 
thou  shoukl'st  be  discovered;  for  thou  rvilest  ip  dark- 
ness, and  by  darkness  keepest  thy  possession,  amongst 
those  whom  thou  hast  blinded.  But  where  Christ  is 
revealed  and  known,  he  is  known  to  be  spiritual,  and 
not  carnal,  not  limited  to  one  place,  but  filleth  heaven 
and  earth,  is  all,  and  in  all  his;  but  not  seen  by  the  car- 
nal eye;  though  he  btj  the  light  of  the  world:  for  the 
God  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
that  they  cannot  see  him,  for  he  is  a  mystery  to  them, 
and  hid  from  all  their  carnal  wisdom,  neither  can  they 
hear  his  voice,  for  they  are  not  of  his  sheep,  but  are  as 
the  deaf  adder;''  but  to  them  only  in  whom  he  dwells 
he  is  known,  they  hear  his  voice,  and  are  taught  by  him 
alone,  and  will  own  no  other  voice  nor  teacher,  and 
they  know  him  to  be  the  same  Christ  yesterday,  to-day 
and  for  ever;  the  same  who,  when  he  was  to  ascend, 
said  to  his,  if  I  go  away,  I  will  come  again,  that  where 
I  am,  there  may  ye  be  also;  the  same  who  said, I  will 
come  and  make  mine  abode  with  you;  the  same  who 
was  in  the  saints  the  hope  of  glory,  and  those  who  have 
him  not  in  them  are  reprobates.^ 

The  same  Christ  who  spoke  in  Paul  and  the  rest,  and 
they  knew  his  voice  wherever  they  heard  it,  and  did 
obey  it,  though  they  suffered  for  it;  for  he  was  their  light, 
their  life,  and  their  way  to  the  father.  And  by  believ- 
ing and  following  him,  they  were  led  out  of  all  the  ways 
of  death  and  darkness,  up  to  God  in  purity  and  holiness. 
And  thus  were  brought  to  witness  their  redemption  by 
him. 

And  he  is  the  same  now,  to  those  who  know  him,  in 
all  things  according  to  the  measure  received  ;  he  reveals 
himself  now  to  be  the  eternal  son  of  God  in  them,  in 
whom  he  reveals  the  father  also,  and  that  the  son  and 
the  father  are  one.  He  speaks  in  them,  and  by  them, 
and  they  know  his  voice  from  all  other  voices  in  them- 
selves and  others:  they  know  his  hand  is  Hot  shortened, 
nor  his  love  less  than  it  hath  been  to  his  people;  and 
that  his  delight  is  with  the  sons  of  men  as  much  as 

a  Col.  2,10,11.  2  Cor.  4,4.  Psal.58,4,5.  Ezek.  4, 20,  21.  b  John  10,  4,  5,  &  14,  3. 
C91. 1,27.   2  Cor.  13,  3.   John  14,6. 


(    119  ) 


ever;^  but  it  is  only  in  ihvAxi  who  love  and  obey  hiffl; 
and  not  their  lusts,  and  such  can  witness  their  fellow- 
ship with  the  father  and  the  son.  And  they  know  that 
this  is  a  mystery  to  all  the  world's  wisdom,  and  that 
the  serpent's  brood  can  no  more  own  his  voice  now, 
where  he  speaks,  than  formerly  he  could  do  when  he 
spoke  in  flesh.  And  that  he  is  but  one  in  all,  from  the 
beginning  to  this  day,  and  changes  not:  and  that  the 
serpent  is  but  one  in  all  his,  though  of  divers  colours 
and  forrr»s,  and  therefore  at  wars,  disputes  andjanglings 
among  themselves,  and  at  envy  one  with  another,  only 
they  are  one  in  this,  that  they  all  join  to  persecute  the 
pure  seed  in  any  where  it  appears;''  but  where  the  pure 
seed  appears,  they  are  all  of  one  colour,  arrayed  in 
pure  linnen,  white  and  clean,  which  is  the  righteousness 
of  saints,  and  are  of  one  heart  and  one  mind,  and  these 
follow  the  lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth,  never  to  perse- 
cute any,'  but  to  suffer  all  the  venom,  rage  and  malice  of 
the  serpept's  brood,  and  are  led  through  great  tribula- 
tion, and  have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white 
in  the  blood  of  the  lamb,  and  thereby  they  are  brought 
to  bruise  thy  head,  and  reign  above  thee,  and  tread 
^pon  thee. 

And  thus  the  promise  of  God  is  fulfilled  in  his  people: 
'    and  this  is  witnessed  in  them,  and  they  know  that  they 
I    are  redeemed,  and  set  free  from  sin  and  death,  even  by 
the  power  and  virtue  of  this  seed,  being  raised  up  in 

I  them  to  rule  in  them,  and  is  their  guide,  their  judge  and 
lawgiver,  their  light,*^  by  which  they  see  thy  several 

'  1  deceits,  whereby  thou  deceivest  the  nations,  and  keepest 
them  in  sin  and  filthiness,  persuading  some,  that  Christ 
is  come,  and  hath  redeemed  them  among  the  rest,  though 
they  know  it  not,  but  still  live  in  their  sins;  yet  if  they 
have  but  a  profession,  and  so  under  the  name  of  believ- 
ers, and  come  before  the  Lord,  as  his  people,  in  out- 

II  ward  performances,  though  they  have  no  witness  within 
themselves,  yet  all  their  sins  are  satisfied,  for  past,  pre- 
sent and  to  come. 

a  Mat.  11,  27.    Gal.1,16.   John  10,  30,  &  10,  4, 5.    Prov.  8,31.    John  1,3.    Cb,  10. 
^,&17,21.    bLuk.23.12.    Rev.  9,13.    c  Rev.  19, 8,  &  7, 14.   d  Rom.  6,20.  21 . 


# 


(   120  ) 

* 

And  lest  they  should  doubt  of  it,  thou  settest  them  to 
the  letter,  to  steal  that  which  Christ  in  spirit  witnessed 
in  the  saints,  in  whom  he  dwelt,  but  never  yet  in  them.^ 
And  thus  by  applying  the  promises  of  the  righteous 
unto  the  wicked,  encourageth  them  to  live  in  sin  without 
fear. 

And  this  doctrine  thou  broachest  amongst  thy  ranting 
crew,  and  so  proclaims  liberty  to  the  lusts  of  the  flesh; 
a  doctrine  well-pleasing  to  the  first  birth,  and  therefore 
so  easily  received,  and  cried  up  by  many  in  these  days. 
But  if  the  judgment  of  God  for  sin  seize  upon  the  spir- 
its of  any,  and  they  find  that  there  can  be  no  peace  with 
God  while  sin  stands;  then  thou  hast  another  way  to 
deceive  them,  persuading  them,  that  though  it  be  sin, 
and  only  sin  that  breaks  their  peace  with  God,  yet  what 
power  have  they  against  it  of  themselves?'  They 
must  look  for  a  day  (which  will  always  be  to  come) 
when  they  shall  have  povi^er  given  in  an  easy  way  to 
overcome  sin,  ^nd  never  take  up  the  cross,  nor  deny  their 
own  lusts,  nor  have  their  own  wills  crucified. 

And  thus  by  tempting  them  to  look  out  at  redemption, 
past  or  to  come,  keeps  them  from  minding  their  present 
condition,  and  tenders  pf  Christ  within  them,  who  by  his 
light  would  lead  them  out  of  sin  and  filthiness,  and  to 
witness  redemption  within  themselves. 

Another  sort  thou  persuadest,  that  none  ever  was  or 
ever  shall  be  set  free  from  sin,  while  they  are  here,  and 
that  it  is  a  vain  thing  ever  to  look  for  it;  and  that  they 
are  but  Pharisees,  who  seek  to  be  cleaner  than  their 
neighbours:  and  that  God  is  merciful,  and  Christ  came 
to  save  sinners.*"  And  thus  Christ  serves  for  no  other 
end  to  them  but  to  talk  on;  and  he  who  came  to  sei, 
the  saints  free  from  sin,  and  to  discover  sin,  is  by  thine 
made  a  cloak  for  sin,  and  an  encouragement  in  sin.  And 
further  to  deceive  them,  thou  gatherest  up  all  the  fail- 
ings of  the  saints,  which  are  written  as  warnings  for  all 
that  come  after,  never  to  do  the  like;  and  these  thou 
turnest  to  encourage  thine  in  their  sin;  for  this  is  thy 
cursed  language,  did  not  Noah  sin  ?    Did  no^  David  sin  ? 


al  John  5, 10.   bHeb.3,7.  c  Johu  3,  6,  7, 9. 


(   121  ) 


Did  not  Peter  sin?  And  am  I  better  than  theyT  And 
thus  thou,  who  by  sin  at  first  didst  stamp  thy  image 
on  the  creature,  and  so  work  a  separation  betwixt  God 
and  man:  so  by  sin  thou  upholdest  th)  image  and  the 
separation;  for  sin  is  begotten  by  thee,  and  thou  art  the 
father  of  it,  and  it  bears  thy  image,  and  the  glory  of  thy 
kingdom  stands  in  sin  and  filihiness,  and  thou  and  thy 
children  delight  in  it.'' 

But  woe  unto  thee  and  thy  kingdom,  for  the  day  of 
thy  torment  is  upon  thee;  for  now  Michael  our  prince, 
who  stands  up  for  the  children  and  people  of  God,  is 
arisen  against  thee,  who  will  break  thee  and  thy  image 
in  pieces,  and  thou  shalt  be  cast  out  of  heaven,  and  thy 
angels  into  the  earth,  and  thou  shalt  be  chained  in  the 
bottomless  pit,  and  shalt  deceive  the  nations  no  more; 
for  thou  art  dicovered,  and  the  beast  and  the  false 
prophet,  by  whom  thou  hast  maintained  wars  against 
the  saints,  and  you  shall  all  be  cast  into  the  l^ke  that 
burneth,  there  to  be  tormented  for  ever/ 


A  caution  to  all  who  shall  be  found  persecutors,  persecuting  the  right- 
eous, not  suffering  that  spirit  to  speak,  which  boldly  and  impartially 
speaks  without  slavishness,  being  carried  up  above,  fears  not  him  who 
can  kill  the  body,  and  can  do  no  more;  but  fears  God. 

Take  heed,  ye  men  of  the  earth,  how  you  contend 
against  the  Lord,  and  how  you  speak  evil  of  the  things 
you  know  not;  why  do  ye  imagine  a  vain  thing  against 
the  Lord, arid  against  his  anointed?  By  your  rage  you 
shew  yourselves  to  be  heathen.  He  that  sits  in  heaveu 
shall  laugh,  the  Lord  shall  have  you  in  derision;"^  he 
will  set  up  his  king  upon  his  holy  hill  of  Sion,  without 
your  leave.  Did  ever  any  strive  against  God  and  pros- 
per? He  will  break  you  with  a  rod  of  iron,  and  dash 
you  in  pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel.  Be  wise,  take  heed, 
fear  and  tremble  before  the  Lord,  lest  his  wrath  kindle 
against  you,  and  you  be  consumed  in  his  anger.  Wo  to 
him  that  striveth  with  his  maker;'  let  the  potsheards 
strive  with  the  potsheards  of  the  earth:  shall  the  clay 

a  John  8,  44,  b  Dan.  12, 1,  &2,  34.  c  Rev.  20,  iO.  d  Psal.  2.  1 .  2<  Psal.  2,4-  5- 
Pfial.37,13.   JobO,  4, 12.   elsa.  41,9.    Isa.  29, 10. 

16 


# 


(   122  ) 


question  the  work  of  the  potter?  You  forget  yourselves 
while  you  are  contending  against  the  mind  of  God;  you 
are  exalted,  and  have  forgotten  that  you  are  but  dust, 
and  must  to  dust  again.  You  are  not  made  to  oppose 
the  Lord  in  his  works,  but  to  humble  yourselves  before 
him.  And  know  this,  all  ye  proud  ones  of  the  earth, 
that  God  is  now  exalting  his  own  son,  to  be  king  alone 
upon  the  throne  of  David,  and  of  the  increase  of  his 
goverment  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end  :^  for  he  shall 
order  his  kingdom  himself  in  judgment  and  justice  for 
ever:  but  wo  unto  the  proud  at  that  day,  for  the  day 
cometh  that  shall  burn  as  an  oven,  and  all  the  proud, 
and  all  that  do  wickedly,  shall  be  as  stubble:  and  the 
day  that  cometh  shall  burn  them  up,  and  leave  them 
neither  root  nor  branch;  yea,  who  may  abide  the  day 
of  his  coming?  And  who  shall  stand  when  he  ap- 
pears?'' For  he  is  like  a  refiner's  fire,  and  fuller's  soap, 
and  shall  sit  as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver,  and  shall 
purify  the  sons  of  Levi.  All  you  must  pass  through  the 
fire,  and  all  your  dross  and  tin  must  be  consumed;  your 
high  looks  and  great  swelling  words  will  be  found  dross, 
and  are  for  the  fire. 

You  that  go  about  to  limit  the  holy  one  of  Israel,' 
what  he  shall  do,  and  how  he  must  make  himself  known 
to  his  creatures,  and  by  whom.  God  will  never  come 
your  ways,  for  your  ways  are  not  his  way,  nor  your 
thoughts  his  tiioughts;  for  the  one  are  contrary  to  the 
other.  O  vain  man,  shall  he  that  contendeth  with  the 
Almighty  instruct  him!  He  that  reproveth  God, let  him 
answer  it.  What  art  thou  that  questions  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  or  his  way?''  Thou  art  of  that  brood  that  came 
to  ask  Christ,  by  what  authority  he  did  those  things  his 
father  had  sent  him  to  do;  and  because  thou  must  not 
, enter  into  the  secrets  of  God  by  thy  serpents  wisdom, 
thou  wilt  forbid  and  persecute  them  in  whom  it  is  reveal- 
ed, as  they  did.  Now  vvouldst  thou  but  look  back,  and 
search  the  scriptures,  thou  shouldst  find  thy  generation 
all  along  from  Cain  to  thy-self:  for  all  persecutors  are 
of  that  serpent's  brood. 

a  Isa.  2,  10, 11,  12,13,17,18,  19,  20,21.  Isa.  9,6,7.  b  Mai.  3,  2, 3.  c  Job.  21,22 
d  Job.  40,  2. 


(   123  ) 

It  may  be  thoa  wilt  own,  all  that  generation  to  be  of 
Cain,  till  it  come  to  thyself,  and  then  thou  wilt  deny 
that  thou  art  any  of  that  brood,  and  yet  art  found  acting 
in  the  very  same  things.  And  herein  thou  differest  not 
at  all  from  the  rest;  for  they  would  all  deny  it,  even 
from  the  first;  for  when  God  asked  Cain  where  his  bro- 
ther was;  he  said  he  knew  not;  am  I  my  brother's 
keeper,^  whenas  he  had  slain  him.  And  the  scribes,, 
Pharisees  and  chief  priests  garnished  the  sepulchres  of 
the  prophets,  whom  their  fathers  slew,  and  said,  had 
we  lived  in  their  days,  we  would  not  have  killed  them; 
and  at  that  v.ery  time  were  they  consulting  to  kill  the 
son  of  God,  to  whom  all  the  prophets  bear  witness. 
But  as  the  devil  was  a  murdeier  from  the  beginning;  so 
he  was  a  liar  from  the  beginning.  But  though  thou  wilt 
not  own  thy-self  to  be  of  the  devil;  yet  thy  actions  de- 
clare to  thy  face,  before  men  and  angels,  that  thou  art 
not  of  God.  Did  ever  any  that  were  of  God,  forbid  any 
to  speak  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  whom  he  sent 
to  declare  his  will?  Did  they  ever  imprison  any  for 
it  ?  Did  they  ever  beat,  stone,  mock,  revile  or  hate  any  ? 
Did  they  ever  raise  lies,  slanders,  or  false  reports  of 
any?  Or  seek  false  witnesses  against  them?^  Did  they 
ever  oppress  the  stranger,  because  he  was  a  stranger, 
and  send  them  to  prison  when  they  found  them,  because 
they  knew  them  not,  though  they  never  did  them  harm? 
And  then,  to  make  way  for  their  further  oppression,  to 
have  their  agents  abroad,  to  seek  out  any  who  will  wit- 
ness any  thing  against  them;  and  so  lay  snares  and 
traps  for  the  simple  and  harmless  man?  There  were 
of  thy  generation  in  Isaiah's  time,  and  God  plagued  them 
for  it,assaith  the  prophet,  the  terrible  ones  are  brought 
to  naught,  and  the  scorners  are  consumed ;  and  all  that 
watch  for  iniquity  are  cut  off,  that  make  a  man  an  offen- 
der for  a  word,  and  lay  a  snare  for  him  that  reproves  in 
the  gate.' 

Now  all  you  that  will  be  found  in  this  practice,  take 
heed,  repent  betimes,  the  righteous  God  will  judge  right- 
eously, he  is  no  respector  of  persons,"  and  he  knows  all 


'^Gen.l.G    Mat.29,30,31    b  Isa.  23,  3, 15.   c  Isa.  29,  20, 21    JHos.  5, 1. 


(   124  ) 


your  secret  plots,  and  who  they  are  against.  You  may 
hide  tilings  from  men,  but  wo  unto  them  that  dig  deep, 
to  hide  their  counsel  from  the  Lord ;  and  their  works 
are  in  the  dark,  and  they  say,  who  seeth  us?  and  who 
koowethT  Surely  your  turning  things  upside  down, 
shall  be  esteemed  as  the  potter's  clay,  and  God  will 
overturn,  overti.rn  you,  and  bring  all  your  plotting  wis- 
dom to  naught.  Oh!  consider,  what  is  become  of  the 
persecutors  of  old?  Did  not  God  find  them  out,  and 
plague  them  for  it?  And  dost  thou  think  to  escape 
his  hand?  Thy  thoughts  are  vain,  and  will  deceive 
thee,  the  Lord  will  set  a  mark  upon  thee  that  thou  art 
a  persecutor  of  the  messengers  of  the  Lord  ;  go  to,  saith 
the  Lord,  write  it  in  a  book,  that  it  may  be  for  time  to 
come,  forever  and  ever,  that  this  is  a  rebellious  people, 
lying  children,  that  will  not  hear  the  law  of  the  Lord, 
which  say  to  the  seers,  see  not,  and  to  the  prophets, 
prophecy  not  to  us  right  things ;  speak  unto  us  smooth 
things,  prophecy  deceit.'' 

Now  see  if  it  be  not  so  in  these  days;  he  that  stu- 
dies out  eloquent  words,  to  please  the  ears  of  men,  and 
can  talk  against  sin  in  words;  but  when  they  have  done, 
join  with  the  wicked  in  his  wicked  ways,  as  pride,  cov- 
etousness,oppression,drunkenness,  rioting,  and  such  like, 
and  so  become  men-pleasers.  These  are  prophets  most 
fit  for  them  that  love  their  sins,  and  would  not  have  their 
minds  crossed.  Micah  saith  in  his  days,  that  a  liar,  and 
one  that  will  prophecy  of  wine  and  strong  drink,  is  a 
prophet  most  fit  for  this  people:'  and  these  prophets 
shall  never  suffer  persecution,  nor  ever  turn  any  from 
their  sins.  But  if  any  come  with  a  true  message  from 
the  Lord,  and  declare  his  judgments  to  come  against 
all  sin  and  filthiness,  and  witness  against  all  the  ways 
of  the  wicked,  both  in  word  and  practice:  then,  away 
with  such  a  fellow  from  the  earth,  it  is  not  fit  he  should 
live,  for  he  judgeth  all  but  himself;*^  send  him  to  prison, 
or  into  his  own  country  out  of  our  coasts:  what  hath  he 
to  do  here?  or,  who  sent  him?  or,  what  is  his  authority? 
I  love  him  not,  for  he  never  speaks  good  of  us,  but  evil. 


al  Pet.  1,17.  Psal. 37, 12, 13,14,15.  133.29,13,14.  b  Isa.  30, 8, 9, 10, 11.  GMlcnh 
2,11.  dActs2t,22. 


(  125  ) 


O  friend!  EHdst  thou  but  know  whom  thou  strivest 
against,  thou'dst  tremble  before  him,  it  is  hard  for  thee 
to  kick  against  the  pricks,  Jhou  art  not  against  man  but 
God;  % 

And  this  know,  that  no  prophecy  of  old  came  by  the 
will  of  man,  but  against  the  wills  of  all  men  in  the  world, 
both  he  that  was  sent,  and  they  to  whom  they  was  seiit.*' 
But  who  hath  resisted  his  will?    For  there  is  anec^p-- 
ty  laid  upon  such  as  are  sent  by  him;  and  wo  unto  tliem 
if  they  go  not.    And  they  vvho  are  thus  sent  are  no 
hireling,  neither  do  they  come  with  what  will  you  give 
me?  but  they  must  witness  forth  freely  what  Christ  hath 
revealed  in  them,  though  they  suffer  for  it/    But  this 
call  is  not  known  to  Babylon's  merchants,  who  buy,  sell, 
and  trade  for  money;  neither  is  it  known  to  the  world, 
for  if  it  were,  they  would  not  hate  and  persecute  it;  but 
they  that  are  sent  by  God  have  been  hated  in  all  ages, 
and  it  is  the  same  now,  else  how  should  the  scriptures  be 
fulfilled;'^  but  O.man!  take  heed  what  thou  doest;  thy 
power  is  limited,  though  thou  knowest  it  not:  thou  canst 
but  kill  the  body,  and  the  soul  shall  live ;  thou  canst  but 
imprison  the  body,  but  the  spirit  is  at  liberty  out  of  thy 
reach.^    And  therefore  Christ  bids  his,  not  to  fear  such, 
who  can  go  no  further.    And  it  is  so,  for  they  who  are 
kept  close  in  obedience  to  Christ,  are  kept  out  of  the  fear 
of  man:  for  saith  the  Lord,  I,  even  I  am  he  that  com- 
forted you:^  who  art  thou,  that  thou  shouldest  be  afraid 
of  a  man  that  shall  die,  and  the  son  of  man  that  shall 
be  as  grass,  and  forgettest  the  Lord  thy  maker,  that  hath 
stretched  forth  th6  Heavens,  and  laid  the  foundations  of 
the  earth,  and  hath  feared  every  day,  because  of  the 
fury  of  the  oppressor,  as  if  he  were  ready  to  destroy; 
and  where  is  the  fury  of  the  oppressor?    But  saith  the 
Lord,  I  have  put  my  words  in  thy  mouth,  and  have  cov- 
ered thee  with  the  shadow  of  my  hand.    Behold  I  have 
taken  out  of  thy  hand  the  cup  of  my  fury,  and  thou  shalt 
no  more  drink  it  again;  but  I  will  put  it  into  the  hand  of 
them  that  afflict  thee,  which  say  to  the  soul,  bow  down, 
that  we  may  go  over  thee;  and  thou  hast  laid  thy  body 

aKing92-2,8.    b2Pet.l,21.    cl  Cor.  9. 16. 17.    Rev.18.11.    d  1  Cor.  2,  8.  e  Mat . 
10.28.    fUa.  SI,  12.13. 


(   126  ) 


as  the  ground,  and  as  the  street  to  them  that  go  over.* 
Therefore  take  heed,  you  thot  tread  the  poor  and  help- 
less under  your  feet ;  repent,  repent,  your  day  is  comhig 
on  a  pace,  wherein  the  Lord  will  avenge  the  poor,  on 
him  that  is  too  strong  for  him:  and  how  canst  thou  stand 
at  that  day,  when  thou  shalt  become  weak  as  another 
man,  and  no  false  pretences  will  be  accepted?  Thou 
must  be  judged  according  to  thy  work,  good  or  evil;  Oh! 
that  you  had  hearts  to  humble  yourselves  before  the 
Lord,  that  ye  might  find  mercy  at  that  day,  for  why  will 
you  perish  through  your  own  will? 


A  call  to  the  world,  to  repentance;  and  the  cursed  condition  that  men  lie 
in,professing  much,  but  practising  just  nothing  but  pj'ide,  wantonness, 
covetousness ;  and  yet  cover  themselves  tcith  large  professions,  and  call 
themselves  saints.  Wo,  wo  to  all  them  mho  profess  the  truth,  and  live 
in  unrighteousness,  and  that  turn  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness. 

All  people,  repent  and  turn  to  the  Lord,  from  the 
evil  of  your  doing,  for  the  Lord  is  at  hand,  who  will 
judge  the  world,  and  give  every  one  according  to  their 
doings,  whether  they  be  good  or  evil;  yea, he  is  coming 
with  ten  thousands  of  his  saints,  to  be  avenged  on  the 
heathen,  and  them  that  know  hot  God\ 

Now  all  that  live  in  sin  and  filthiness,  it  plainly  ap- 
pears you  know  not  God;  for  if  you  did,  you  durst  not 
heap  iniquity,  and  live  in  your  lusts,  heaping  up  wrath 
against  the  day  of  wrath,  wherein  the  Lord  will  appear 
as  a  consuming  fire  against  all  ungodliness  of  wicked 
men. 

God  is  against  you,  you  dissembling  professors,  who 
adorn  the  outside  to  be  seen  of  men,  but  the  inside  is  full 
of  deceit,  serving  God  in  outside  forms  and  notions,  but 
your  hearts  are  not  upright  with  him;'  you  are  in  the 
earth,  and  earthly  mindedness,  in  your  covetousness, 
which  is  idolatry.  And  God  abhors  the  outside  worship, 
when  the  heart  is  not  upright  with  him ;  and  Christ  calls 
such,  whited  walls,  painted  sepulchres,  hypocrites,  ser- 
pents, a  generation  of  vipers,  children  of  the  devil  ;'^  and 


alsa.51,16.  I3a.l4,10.  b  Isa.  3. 10, 11.  I3iah26,21.  2  Thess.  1.  7, 8,  9.  IJohu 
3,6.   cMat.  23.  25,26.27,28.    d  Mat.  23,33. 


(    127  ) 


the  woe  is  to  such:  how  can  you  escape  the  damnation 
of  Hell? 

God  is  against  you,  you  proud  and  lustful,  wanton 
ones,  who  make  it  your  greatest  care  to  deck  yourselves 
in  your  proud  attire,  inventing  new  ways  and  fashions 
to  make  yourselves  glorious  in  the  sight  of  men,  that 
they  may  bow  down  and  worship  you,  and  set  you  above 
the  commands  of  God  but  know,  that  you  are  but  dust, 
and  God  will  lay  such  honour  in  the  dust ;  for  he  is  risen 
to  whom  all  worship  is  due ;  and  now  wo  to  all  the  idols  of 
the  World,  your  lofty  looks  shall  be  humbled,  and  your 
haughtiness  bowed  down;^  for  now  the  Lord  will  exalt 
the  humble  and  meek  ones,  that  you  have  trodden  upon; 
he  will  seek  that  which  is  lost,  but  will  destroy  the  fat, 
and  feed  the  strong  with  judgment.  Repent,  you  lofty 
ones,  and  turn  to  the  Lord,  and  humble  yourselves  be- 
fore him,  that  you  may  be  hid  in  the  day  of  his  fierce 
wrath,  lest  he  take  you  away,  and  there  be  none  to  de- 
liver/ 

God  is  against  you,  you  drunkards,  who  make  it  your 
trade  to  pour  in  strong  drink,  abusing  the  creature  to  sat- 
isfy your  lusts,  which  God  hath  given  to  be  used  moder- 
I   ately,  and  not  in  riotousness:*^  you  should  be  reasona- 
ble creatures,  but  your  horse  may  teach  you,  who  will 
not  drink  when  he  hath  enough.    And  herein  you  show 
yourselves  worse  than  brutes,  and  they  shall  rise  up  in 
judgment  against  you,  and  condemn  you.    Wo  to  you 
that  are  mighty  to  drink  wine,  and  men  of  strength  to 
I    mingle  strong  drink.'   Wo  to  you  that  rise  up  early,  that 
1    you  may  follow  strong  drink,  and  continue  until  night, 
i    till  wine  inflame  you.    The  woe  is  upon  you  that  put 
I    the  cup  to  his  neighbours  mouth,  to  make  him  drink, 
that  his  nakedness  may  appear,  and  shameful  spewing 
cover  him.   And  this  is  your  glory,  which  is  your  shame, 
and  you  tell  your  companions :  you  show  yourselves  to  be 
I   the  children  of  Ham,  the  father  of  Canaan,  who  was 
I   accursed  for  such  practice:'  and  the  curse  is  upon  you, 
while  you  live  in  this;  therefore  repent,  and  live  no  lon- 
oer  in  your  filthiness,  your  healths  are  abomination  to 

a  lsa.28,  12,34.  b  Isaiah  2, 10, 11,17.  Isaiah  16.  to  the  end.  cEzek.34.16.  LukeG. 
1.      Isaiah  28. 1,3.  Joell.^.   Isaiah  5,  22.  e  Isaiah 5,  II.   Heb.  2.  15, 16,  f  Gen.|  9 


(  128  ) 


the  Lord,  and  you  are  ignorant  of  his  saving  health.— 
The  wants  of  the  poor  cry  in  the  ears  of  God  against 
your  wasteful  practice,  and  you  must  account  for  your 
stewardship. 

God  is  against  you,  you  swearers,  who  make  it  your 
practice  to  take  the  name  of  God  in  vain,  and  live  in 
open  breach  of  his  commands:  you  who  are  not  ashamed 
to  profane  the  holy  name  of  God  in  open  streets  and 
houses  where  you  come,  the  curse  is  upon  the  land  for 
your  sakes;  and  because  of  oaths  the  land  mourns,  and 
God  will  not  hold  you  guiltless.  Repent,  repent,  the 
Curse  is  towards  you,  you  profane  ones,  who  regard  not 
the  commands  of  Ciirist,  who  saith,  swear  not  at  all, 
but  let  your  yea  be  yea,  and  your  nay  nay;  for  whatso- 
ever is  more  cometh  of  evil.''  How  is  he  your  redeemer, 
and  how  will  you  stand  before  him  at  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, whom  you  now  so  openly  contemn,  in  disobeying 
his  commands?  O  repent,  the  day  is  at  hand  when  it 
will  be  too  late! 

God  is  against  you,  you  scorners,  who  take  delight  in 
scorning  your  brethren,  you  show  your  folly  to  all,  whose 
children  you  are,  you  that  sit  in  the  seat  of  the  scorn- 
ful ;^  God  doth  scorn  you,  he  who  sits  in  Heaven  laughs 
you  to  scorn.  You  are  proud,  and  puffed  up,  and  have 
scornful  eyes,  you  that  raise  false  reports  against  the 
simple,  and  tell  them  to  make  yourselves  and  others  « 
laugh,  that  are  scorners  like  you.'  The  Lord  will  laugh 
at  your  calamity,  and  mock  when  yonr  fear  cometh.'* — 
Your  laughter  shall  be  turned  into  mourning:  wo  to  them:, 
that  now  laugh,  for  they  shall  mourn.  You  forget  your- 
selves what  you  are;  take  heed,  be  not  mockers,  lest 
your  bands  be  made  strong,  and  when  you  cry  there  be 
none  to  deliver;  take  heed,  repent  betimes;  how  long 
will  you  scorners  delight  in  scorning,  and  fools  hate 
knowledge?"  Cease  your  sports  and  pastimes,  ye  wan- 
ton ones,  making  yourselves  merry  in  your  sins.  Your 
idle  profane  talking  and  foolish  jesting,  your  unclean 
filthy  words  are  abomination  to  the  Lord;  and  every 
idle  word  must  be  accounted  for:  your  revelling  and 

a  Pro.  19,29.  Pro.3,34.  Jer.  23,  10.  Zach.  5,3.  Mat.  5,  34,  35.  James  5.  12.— 
Psalms 9. 17.  Jer.  5.  7.  b  Isa.  18. 14, 15,  IS.  cLuke6.25.  d  Isa.  14, 11, 12.  Ise.28. 
22.   e  Pro.  1.22.   Iia.  57.  3,4,  5. 


(   129  )  * 


rioting,  carding  and  dicing,  and  all  your  invented  ^Dorts, 
sitting  down  to  eat  and  drink,  and  rising  up  to  play, 
which  is  idolatry,  and  the  wrath  of  God  is  against  such 
practice;  for  man  was  not  made  to  fulfil  his  own  lusts, 
but  to  serve  the  living  God,  who  made  all  things  for  him- 
self, and  the  wicked  for  the  day  of  judgment,  and  they 
are  reserved  against  the  day  of  wrath  and  destruction."" 
And  though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked  shall  not  go 
unpunished.  Repent,  take  heed,  search  the  scriptures, 
if  ever  the  people  of  God  used  any  such  practice,  or 
spent  their  time  after  that  manner;  but  laboured  to  re- 
deem the  time,  and  had  their  flesh  crucified,  with  the 
affections  and  lusts ;  for  they  who  live  to  the  flesh,  cannot 
please  God. 

God  is  against  you,  you  covetous  cruel  oppressors,"^ 
who  grind  the  faces  of  the  poor  and  needy,  taking  your 
advantage  of  the  necessities  of  the  poor,'  falsifying  the 
measures,  and  using  deceitful  weights,  speaking  that  of 
your  commodities  which  is  not  true,  and  so  deceiving 
the  simple,  and  hereby  getting  great  estates  in  the  world, 
laying  house  to  house,  and  land  to  land,  till  there  be  no 
place  for  the  poor,  and  when  they  are  become  poor  thro' 
your  deceits,  then  you  despise  them,  and  exalt  yourselves 
above  them,  and  forget  that  you  are  all  made  of  one 
mould,  and  one  blood,  and  must  all  appear  before  one 
judge,  who  i«  no  respector  of  persons,  nor  doth  he  des- 
pise the  poor;"^  and  what  shall  your  riches  avail  you  at 
that  day,  when  you  must  account  how  you  have  gotte;i 
them,  and  whom  you  have  oppressed?  Yea,  wo  to  him 
that  coveteth  an  evil  covetousness  to  his  own  house,  that 
buildeth  a  house  with  oppression,  the  stone  in  the  wall, 
and  the  beam  in  the  timber  shall  cry  out  against  him/ 

The  fathers  commit  cruelty  and  oppressi6n  in  heaping 
together,  and  the  children  commit  filthiness  in  spending 
it  upon  their  lusts:  and  thus  the  children  eat  up  the  sins 
of  the  fathers,  and  fill  up  the  measure  of  their  fathers 
iniquity.^  And  thus  you  make  an  open  gap  for  the  wrath 
of  God  to  break  in  upon  you.    Oh!  Repent,  and  turn  to 

alCor.  10.7.  Isaiah  22. 12.  13, 14.  Prov.16.  4,5.  Job  21.  30.  Pro  v.  11. 21.  b  Fro- 
11.1.  cIsaiahS.  15.  Isaiah  8,  9.  d  \cts  17,  26.  Gal.  2.  6.  e  Hab.  2,  IJ,  12.— 
T  Mat.  23,  32. 

17 


%    •       (    130  ) 


the  Lord,  that  there  may  be  one  found  to  stand  in  the 
gap,  and  make  up  the  breach,  lest  the  wrath  of  God 
break  in  upon  you,  and  burn  like  fire,  and  there  be  none 
to  quench  it:  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  at  hand,  that 
you  must  all  be  weighed  in  the  pure  balance  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, and  nothing  will  be  weight  but  what  is  pure  and 
holy,  truth  from  the  heart  ;^  no  deceit  or  hypocrisy  will 
be  weight,  no  idolatrous,  proud  or  covetous,  no  swearer, 
liar,  drunkard  or  whoremonger  will  be  weight,  no 
scorner,  railer,  or  false  accusers,  no  murderer,  nor  envi- 
ous persecutor,  no  fornicator,  nor  unclean  ones,  nor  any 
that  live  to  the  flesh  can  be  weight,  but  will  be  found 
wanting;^  and  then  woe  unto  you, for  your  kingdom  must 
be  taken  from  you.  and  given  to  them  who  will  bring 
forth  fruits  that  God  may  have  glory. 

Now  all  professiHS  and  people,  consider  your  condi- 
tions; you  have  long  been  hearers  and  professors,  but 
what  have  your  fruits  been?  Herein  is  my  father  glo- 
rified, that  ye  'bring  forth  much  fruit."  But  now,  you 
fruitless  trees,  you  must  be  cut  down,  and  cast  into  the 
fire;  for  all  mens  works  must  be  tried  by  fire;'*  and  then 
wo  unto  you,  who  have  taken  pleasure  in  sin;  repent, 
and  turn  to  the  Lord  betimes,  that  you  may  find  mercy, 
for  your  destruction  is  of  yourselves. 


THE  CURSED  COIVDITION  OF  CONCEITED  ONES,  WHO  ARE 
WISE  IN  THEIR  OWN  EYES. 

Wo  unto  you  that  are  wise  in  your  own  eyes,  and  pru- 
dent in  your  own  sight,  you  that  think  to  understand  the 
spiritual  things  of  God  by  your  carnal  wisdom  {  and  be- 
cause God  will  not  reveal  his  secrets  to  your  serpentine 
wisdom  therefore  you  speak  evil  of  it  where  it  is  re- 
vealed, tho'  you  know  it  not:  your  wisdom  is  of  the  earth, 
and  feedeth  upon  dust,  and  dust  is  the  serpent's  meat. 
By  your  wisdom  you  can  over-reach  yuur  brethren,  op- 
press the  poor  to  get  riches,  to  make  yourselves  great  in 
the  earth,  and  thereby  lord  it  over  your  brethren  ;'^  by  it 
you  can  go  to  law,  and  begger  your  brethren  for  trifles, 
to  fulfil  your  own  wills;  by  it  you  can  deceive  the  sim- 

a  Dan.  5.25.  bReT.22, 13.  c  Mat.  3,  10.  dl  Cor.  3,13.  e  Isaiah  5,31.  John  14 
17.  Judeie.  f  Isaiah  65,25. 


(  131  )  » 


pie  and  harmless  man,  and  make  him  your  laughing- 
stock when  you  have  done;  by  it  you  can  contrive  mis- 
chief on  your  bed,  and  when  the  morning  is  come  you 
put  it  in  practice  against  those  whom  you  envy.' 

And  do  you  think  that  ever  God  will  reveal  himself  to 
this  wisdom  any  other  ways,  than  in  wrath  from  Heav- 
en against  all  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness  of  this 
wisdom?  Nay,  the  secrets  of  the  Lord  are  with  them 
thai  fear  him,  but  there  is  no  fear  of  the  Lord  where 
this  wisdom  ruleth:""  but  you  are  puffed  up  in  your  vain 
mind,  and  think  you  know  much;  whenas  you  know 
nothing  yet  as  you  ought  to  know;  for  (saith  the  apos- 
tle) who  is  a  wise  man  amongst  you,  and  endued  with 
knowledge,  let  him  show  out  of  a  good  conversation,  his 
works  with  meekness  of  wisdom.^  Your  works  that 
proceed  out,  show  plainly  what  kind  of  wisdom  is 
within,  that  wisdom  which  brings  forth  pride,  scorning, 
lightness  and  wantonness,  swearing,  lying,  covetousness, 
self-love,  envy,  hatred,  deceit,  backbiting,  slandering  and 
evil-speaking,  lust  and  excess,  strife  and  contention,  per- 
secution, or  any  other  unclean  or  filthy  practice,  doing 
to  others  that  which  you  would  not  have  them  to  do 
to  you,*^  that  wisdom  is  of  the  devil,  and  not  of  God. 

Now  this  is  the  wisdom  the  world  drives  after,  and  so 
highly  extols,  and  by  which  you  think  to  attain  to  the 
pure  and  invisible  things  of  Gcd.  And  thus  the  wisdom 
of  the  serpent,  which  risethoutof  the  earth,  and  feedeth 
on  earth,  would  be  climbing  up  to  the  hidden  things  of 
God,  and  so  would  be  heirs  of  two  kingdoms.  But  saith 
the  apostle,  if  ye  have  bitter  envyings  and  strife  in  your 
hearts,  glory  not,  and  lie  not  against  the  truth.^ 

This  wisdom  descends  not  from  above,  but  is  earthly, 
sensual  and  devilish:  for  where  envy  and  strife  is,  there 
is  confusion  and  every  evil  work.  But  that  wisdom 
which  is  from  above,  is  first  pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle 
and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits, 
without  partiality,  without  hypocrisy/  Now  you  who 
think  you  are  the  men  for  wisdom,  try  your  wisdom  by 
these  marks  set  down  by  the  apostle,  whether  it  be  given 


aMicah  2,1,2  3.  bRom.1,18.  cJames3,13.  dJobl4.4.  e  Jaracs  3,14, 15,  IC 
fJam€s3, 17. 


(   132  ) 


yoii  from  above,  or  it  be  of  the  serpent,  arising  out  o»f 
the  earthly  part  within  you:  is  it  such  a  wisdom  as  shows 
forth  of  a  good  conversation,  the  works  of  meekness? 
Is  it  pure?  Is  it  peaceable?  Is  it  gentle  and  easy  to 
beintreated?  Is  it  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits? — 
Without  partiality  and  without  hypocrisy?  If  it  brings 
forth  these  fruits,  it  is  from  above,  and  God  will  own  it, 
and  reveal  his  secrets  to  it,  even  the  hidden  things  of 
God.  But  on  the  contrary,  if  it  be  that  wisdom  that 
brings  forth  bitter  envyings  and  strife,  and  every  evil 
work,  vain  glorying,  and  lying  against  the  truth,  the 
apostle  saith  plainly,  it  is  not  of  God,  but  is  earthly,  sen- 
sual and  devilish  f  and  this  wisdom  must  never  enter 
into  the  kingdom,  but  is  of  the  serpent  cursed  above  all 
creatures,  more  subtil  than  all  the  beasts  of  the  field, 
eating  the  forbidden  fruit,  the  judging  of  good  and  evil 
by  carnal  knowledge,  creeping  into  the  earth  and  earthly 
thing,  are  all  for  the  belly,  feeding  on  dust,  and  delight- 
ing in  things  tiiat  perish  and  fade  away,  painted  on  the 
outside,  decking  thee  with  pride,  curiously  invented 
(serpent  like)  by  his  wisdom,  and  feeding  thy  lusts  with 
curious  devised  dishes.  Dives-like,  devising  and  plotting 
to  get  riches  right  ur  wrong:  so  that  you  can  but  keep 
within  the  compass  of  the  laws  of  the  nation,  never  re- 
garding to  be  guided  by  that  pure  law  of  God  within, 
written  in  the  heart,  which  would  lead  you  in  all  things, 
to  do  as  you  would  be  done  by.^ 

But  the  wisdom  of  men  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of 
God,  neither  can  be,  for  it  is  death  to  it ;  and  you  deceive 
yourselves,  who  do  think  to  find  out  the  mystery  of  the 
things  of  God  by  this  wisdom,  for  God  hath  hid  it  from 
your  eyes/  And  the  world  by  wisdom  knows  not  God, 
for  God  hath  turned  their  wisdom  into  foolishness;  and, 
saith  Christ,  I  thank  thee,  O  father,  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  that  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and 
prudent,  and  revealed  them  to  babes.*^  God  hath  hid 
them  in  Christ,  and  none  come  to  Christ  but  babes,  such 
as  are  of  the  new  birth,  not  flesh  and  blood,  but  of 
water  and  the  spirit;  such  only  enter  into  the  mystery 


a  James  3, 15.  bHeb.10,16.  Rom.  8,7.  cl  Cor.  1,20,  21.  d  Mark  11  25.  John  3, 5, 6* 


(   133  ) 


of  the  kingdom, by  the  door  in  all,  the  strait  way  through 
the  cross,  where  your  serpent's  wisdom  would  not  wil- 
lingly come;'  for  if  it  do, it  must  be  slain, and  you  must 
become  fools  for  Christ's  sake,  that  you  may  be  wise ; 
you  must  enter  as  a  little  child,  or  else  you  cannot  come 
there,  for  it  is  revealed  to  babes  only.''    Your  wisdom 
that  you  so  much  boast  on,  must  be  crucified  and  die, 
and  a  new  wisdom  must  be  given  you  from  above, 
which  besi;ins  with  the  fear  of  the  Lord;  for  the  fear  of 
thf  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom,  and  to  practice  it 
is  understanding.    And  when  you  once  come  to  own 
this  true  wisdom,  which  is  of  God,  then  you  shall  see  the 
world,  who  did  so  highly  applaud  you  for  your  wisdom 
before,  will  now  call  you  fools  and  madmen;  for  that 
wisdom  which  they  do  applaud  shall  be  cast  behind 
thee:  and  then  thou  shalt  witness  the  scripture  fulfilled, 
when  God  hath  destroyed  the  wisdom  of  the  wise,  and 
brought  to  nought  the  understanding  of  the  prudent; 
where  is  the  wise  ?    Where  is  the  disputer  of  this  world  ? 
For  the  world  by  this  wisdom  knows  not  God,  nor  ever 
shall  do;  for  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  this 
world  to  confound  the  wise,  and  weak  things  to  confound 
the  mighty/    And  then  thou  shalt  see  that  wisdom  not 
to  btj  of  this  world,  neither  of  the  princes  of  this  world, 
which  come  to  nought;  but  the  wisdom  of  God,  which 
is  a  hidden  mystery,  which  none  of  the  princes  of 
this  world  knew:  for  if  they  knew  it,  they  would  not 
persecute  it  where  it  is.    But  the  knowledge  of  this 
mystery  is  the  free  gift  of  God,  given  only  to  them  that 
fear  and  love  him,  given  without  all  natural  helps  what- 
soever; for  the  natural  man  receives  not  the  things  of 
the  spirit  of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness  to  him;  nei- 
ther can  he  know  them,  for  they  are  spiritually  discern- 
ed:*^ but  the  spiritual  man  judgeth  all  things,  and  he 
himself  is  judged  of  no  man;  for  he  that  is  in  the  spirit 
lives  above  all  the  earth  and  earthly  wisdom,  and  sees 
all  the  world,  where  they  live,  but  no  carnal  wisdom 
shall  ever  see  where  he  lives,  for  his  life  is  hid  with 
God  in  Christ  from  all  vultures  «eyes,  and  venomous 
beasts.*" 

aLuk.18,17.   bJob.8,28,   c  1  Cor.  1,  19,  20,161.     1  Cor.  1 , 25,  27,  &  2.  6. 7.  8 
al  Cor.  2,14,le5.    Col. 3,3. 


(   134  ) 


A   LA.MENTATION  BY  ONE  OP    ENGLAND'S  PROPHETS,  OVER 
THE  RUINS  OF  THIS  OPPRESSED  NATION. 

To  he  deeply  laid  to  heart  hy  parliament  and  army,  and  all  sorts  of 
people,  lest  they  he  sivept  arvay  with  the  besom  of  destruction,  in  the 
day  oj  the  Lord'^s fierce  ivrath  and  indignation,  which  is  near  at  hand. 
Written  from  the  movings  of  the  Lord  in  James  N^xYLEr. 

O  England'  how  is  thy  expectation  failed,  now  after 
all  thy  travels?  the  people  to  whom  oppression  and  un- 
righteousness hath  been  a  burthen,  have  long  waited 
for  deliverance,  from  one  year  to  another,  but  none 
comes,  from  one  sort  of  men  to  another. 

Hast  thou  looked  for  reforn^ation,  but  all  in  vain? 
For  as  power  hat!i  come  into  the  hands  of  men,  it  hath 
been  turned  into  violence,  and  the  will  of  men  is  brought 
forth  instead  of  equity.    And  this  they  seek  to  establish 
by  a  law,  to  which  all  must  bow  that  are  under  them, 
or  they  must  be  judged  as  offenders:  so  that  which 
should  be  for  the  deliverance  of  the  simple  from  the 
hand  of  the  oppressor,  is  turned  into  a  snare  to  entrap 
the  righteous,  and  he  that  turns  from  iniquity  is  made 
a  prey  to  the  wicked,  and  none  lays  it  to  heart  through 
the  nation;  for  all  hearts  are  full  of  oppression,  and  all 
hands  are  full  of  violence.    Their  houses  are  filled  with 
oppression,  their  streets  and  markets  abound  with  it; 
their  courts,  which  should  afford  remedy  against  it,  are 
wholly  made  up  of  iniquity  and  injustice,  and  the  law  of 
God  is  made  altogether  void,  and  truth  is  trodden  under 
foot.    And  plainness  is  become  odious  to  the  proud,  and 
deceit  set  on  high:  and  the  proud  are  counted  happy, 
and  the  rich  are  exalted  above  the  poor,  and  look  to  be 
worshipped  as  God ;  which  if  they  refuse,  a  snare  is 
laid,  and  bonds  and  imprisonments  are  appointed  for 
them,  as  not  worthy  to  breathe  in  the  air;  and  no  law, 
equity  or  justice  can  be  heard  for  their  freedom.  | 
And  this  is  not  done  by  any  open  enemy;  for  then  ill 
had  not  been  so  strange  unto  thee;  but  it  is  done  bfl 
those  who  pretend  to  be  against  oppression,  and  for 
whom,  under  that  pretence,  thou  hast  adventured  all 
that  is  dear  unto  thee,  to  put  power  into  their  hands; 
and  now  thou  criest  to  them  for  help,  but  findest  none 
that  can  deliver  thee.    O  foolish  people!    When  will 


(   135  ) 


ye  learn  wisdom?  When  will  ye  cease  from  man, 
who  is  vanity,  and  the  sons  of  men,  who  are  become 
a  lie? 

Are  not  these  the  choicest  of  thy  worthies,  who  are 
now  in  power?  Hath  it  not  been  the  top  of  thy  desires 
and  labours,  to  see  it  in  their  hands?  And  are  not  they 
now  become  weak  as  other  men,  and  the  land  still  in 
travnil,  but  nothing  brought  forth  but  wind?  How  is 
the  wisdom  of  the  wise  turned  into  folly,  and  the  un- 
i  derstanding  of  the  prudent  hid?  How  is  he  who  seem- 
I  ed  valiant  for  general  freedom,  fallen  into  a  particular 
I  earthly  interest,  and  hath  no  power  to  help  himself? 
would  any  have  believed  that  these  should  have  fallen 
in  the  pit,  and  stuck  in  the  mire,  as  they  who  were  before 
them,  whose  names  are  made  a  reproach  in  the  nation? 
How  have  these  cried  out  for  the  kingdom  of  Christ  to 
bear  rule  in  his  church  and  consciences  of  his  own, 
above  the  wills  of  proud  oppressing  tyrants;  yea,  and 
,|  have  been  instruments  to  execute  God's  decree  upon 
such  as  have  withstood  the  freedom  of  the  righteous 
seed?  But  now,  what  is  brought  forth  by  them  more 
than  words?  Do  not  the  members  of  Christ  lie  still 
under  the  power  of  the  oppressor,  cast  into  holes  and 
prisons  for  the  truth's  sake,  and  are  denied  that  liberty 
they  allow  to  thieves  and  murderers,  though  the  breach 
of  no  just  law  can  be  laid  to  their  charge;  neither  will 
they  let  them  come  to  trial,  lest  by  their  own  law  they 
should  be  forced  to  free  them,  and  how  long  some  have 
lain  upon  this  account,  you  are  not  ignorant? 

Wo  is  me,  for  you  rulers!    How  are  you  fallen  from 
,   what  you  have  professed,  when  you  yourselves  were 
sufferers  under  such  bondage  ?    And  now  is  it  nothing  to 
you,  that  your  brethren,  that  have  been  one  with  you 
I  against  oppression,  now  perish  under  the  hands  of  the 
{  :  same  men,  from  whom  you  are  set  free?    And  do  not 
f\i\\e  same  men  judge  us  now  for  offenders?    And  doth 
!  it  not  concern  you,  to  see  what  is  the  cause,  why  they 
thus  vent  their  envy  against  the  innocent?    And  their 
lives  and  liberties  are  taken  away  in  close  holes  and 
I  I  dungeons,  when  it  is  your  duty,  and  in  your  power  to 
see  them  have  justice,  according  to  the  law  of  God, 


(   136  ) 


which  you  profess,  and  not  after  men's  wills.  And  if 
you  know  the  offences  for  which  they  thus  suffer,  how 
is  it,  that  that  which  Christ  doth  con.mand,  and  the 
saints  did  practice,  is  now  become  such  heinous  offen- 
ces, that  nothing  will  serve  but  perpetual  imprisonment 
in  close  holes,  without  hearing  or  trial? 

And  that  you  may  see  for  what  these  despised  ones 
do  suffer  under  you,  consider  tiieir  crimes ;  whereof  the 
greatest  of  them  is,  that  some  of  them  are  moved  to  go 
into  the  idols  temples, to  dispute  and  reason  with  them 
who  uphold  the  idols  worship;  and  to  call  the  people 
out  of  it  unto  the  worship  in  spirit.  And  though  this 
seem  a  heinous  crime  to  you,  yet  it  was  the  practice  of 
the  apostles  and  saints,  as  is  in  plain  scripture. 

Others  suffer,  because  they  cannot  break  the  express 
command  of  God,  to  give  that  worship  to  proud  men, 
which  God  Almighty  hath  forbidden  to  give  to  any  crea- 
ture in  heaven  or  in  earth,  but  only  to  himself.  And 
here  may  all  the  heathen  rulers  condemn  you,  who  never 
imprisoned  or  fined  Christ  nor  his  saints  for  this;  though 
the  scripture  saith,  they  respected  no  man's  person,  nor 
did  they  bow  down,  nor  give  worship  to  the  creature, 
though  the  devil,  the  father  of  pride,  tempted  to  it  then, 
as  well  as  now. 

Others  suffer  for  confessing  the  name  of  Christ,  and 
witnessing  him  in  them,  in  their  measure,  as  they  find 
him  manifest  in  them  to  overcome  sin,  the  world  and  the 
devil,  and  reconcile  them  to  God.  And  this  is  called 
blasphemy,  and  so  proceeded  against,  though  the  saints 
have  always  witnessed  the  same,  and  it  stands  in  scrip- 
ture for  a  witness  against  you:  and  saith  Christ, he  that 
denies  me  before  men,  him  will  I  deny  before  my  father. 
And  thus  the  practice  of  the  saints  was,  and  is  counted 
blasphemy,  by  the  professors  of  the  word. 

Others  suffer  for  denying  to  swear  at  the  commands 
of  men,  after  the  customs  of  the  world,  when  Christ 
saith,  swear  not  at  all,  for  what  is  more  than  yea  and 
nay  cometh  of  evil.  And  the  apostle  warning  the  saints, 
above  all  things  not  to  swear  by  any  oath  whatsoever, 
which  all  that  have  entered  into  Christ  have  denied,  for 
he  is  the  oath  aad  covenant  of  God  for  ever. 


(  137  ) 

Others  suffer,  because  they  are  moved  of  the  Lord, 
logo  into  the  streets  and  markets,  to  declare  against  all 
manner  of  sin  which  abounds  there,  and  to  call  all  to 
repentance,  and  to  declare  the  great  day  of  the  Lord 
at  hand,  and  his  wrath  to  be  revealed  up(ui  such  abomi- 
nable practices;  and  a  snare  is  laid  for  him  that  re- 
proveth  in  tlte  gate,  and  they  suffer  as  disturbers  of  the 
peace;  but  what  peace  is  this,  which  is  disturbed  by 
the  crying  aut  against  sin?  But  drunkards,  swearers, 
liars,  ballad-sellers,  are  suffered  in  the  streets  and  mar- 
kets, and  are  not  counted  disturbers  of  the  peace:  Is 
this  the  saints  peace,  which  stands  in  righteousness,  or 
the  world's  peace,  upholden  by  the  man  of  sin. 

Others,  whom  the 'Lord  hath  called  to  leave  houses 
and  land,  wives  and  children,  fathers  and  mothers,  and 
hath,  in  love  to  poor  souls,  sent  them  out,  to  declare  his 
love  to  the  world,  and  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel 
freely.  These  are  taken  under  the  names  of  wanderers 
and  strangers,  because  they  have  no  earthly  possessions 
amongst  you.  Some  of  them  by  your  law  you  imprison  ; 
some  you  whip  out  of  your  towns;  some  are  beaten, 
stoned  and  shamefully  treated,  though  they  ask  of 
you  nothing,  neither  are  free  to  receive  any  thing  from 
the  world,  if  they  would  givfe  them ;  but  do  wait  on  their 
father  for  food,  who  sends  them  their  journey. 

And  thus  you  entertain  strangers  contrary  to  the 
practice  of  all  the  saints  in  all  ages,  and  the  conmiands 
of  God  and  the  apostles,  who  warned  not  to  forget  to 
entertain  strangers,  for  some  thereby  have  entertained 
angels  unawares.  But  as  the  men  of  Sodom  did  com- 
pass Lot's  house,  who  had  entertained  strangers,  so  do 
these  encompass  the  houses  where  these  are,  threatening 
to  pull  down  the  houses,  and  dash  their  brains  against 
the  stones  in  the  wall.  And  this  is  done  when  such  are 
with  them  who  go  under  the  name  of  magistrates  and 
ministers,  and  the  innocent  are  hauled  out,  and  sent  to 
prison,  though  nothing  can  be  charged  against  them,  but 
as  strangers,  who  have  no  habitation  among  them. 

And  for  such  offences  as  these,  do  the  poor,  despised, 
little  ones  of  Christ  suffer  the  worst  sort  of  imprison- 
ments that  can  be  invented  in  dark  holes,  under  tyrants, 

18 


(   138  ) 


who  will  not  sntfer  their  brethren  to  vjsit  them.  And 
all  this,  while  all  nnanner  of  sin  at  liberty,  and  drunkards, 
sv\t  arers,  liars  and  whoremongers,  and  such  like  men 
of  Belial,  are  become  the  fittest  men  to  be  set  up  to 
witness  against  the  innocent;  and  many  of  those  who 
sit  to  judge  them  are  guilty  of  divers  of  the  foremention- 
ed  crimes  themselves. 

And  thus  the  wicked  are  set  up,  to  n}ake  the  righteous 
offenders  for  a  word,  who  are  none  indeed;  nor  can 
they  be  convicted  of  the  breach  of  any  just  law.  And 
this  is  not  done  in  secret,  that  you  know  not  of. 

Oh,  you  that  bear  rule  in  this  nation,  ought  to  relieve, 
for  then  might  you  have  an  excuse:  but  it  is  done  in  the 
cities,  county-towns  and  courts,  where  justice  ought  to 
relieve  such.  And  you  know  this,  and  are  silent;  but 
it  is  that  you  may  be  left  without  excuse  at  the  great 
day  of  account,  which  is  near  at  hand,  even  the  day  of 
Sion's  recompense,  which  hath  long  been  trodden  under 
foot  by  tlie  earthly  powers.  And  now  will  you  profess 
yourselves  to  be  christians,  the  sciipture  your  rule,  or 
so  much  as  talk  of  the  practice  of  the  saints,  when 
such  works  as  these  are  found  amongst  you,  which  were 
acted  by  the  heathens  and  formal  professors,  against 
the  saints;  but  never  practiced  by  the  saints  against 
any,  neither  have  you  any  ground  for  them  in  scripture. 
Oh!  how  will  you  appear  before  the  Almighty,  whose 
professions  and  practices  are  so  unsuitable,  and  justice 
and  mercy  is  talked  of, but  not  brought  forth? 

Wo,  wo,  wo  unto  you,  who  have  not  used  your  power 
to  relieve  the  oppressed  !  Do  you  thus  requite  the  Lord, 
who  hath  set  you  free  from  your  enemies,  and  hath  set 
you  to  rule  for  him  over  his  people?  is  this  according 
to  your  promises  made  to  him  in  the  day  of  your  feafs, 
when  you  were  little  in  your  own  eyes?  And  now  that 
he  hath  set  you  free,  and  you  are  exalted, shall  his  poor, 
simple,  little  ones  suffer  in  bondage  under  you,  as  under 
the  tyrants  and  bishops  before  you,  and  you  not  once 
say,  they  are  our  brethren,  nor  your  hearts  pity  them? 
Are  you  building  your  houses,  and  setting  your  nests  on 
high, and  Sion  lies  waste  trodden  upon? 


{   139  ) 


Wo  is  me  for  you,  you  high  ones!  How  are  you  fal- 
len from  the  tenderness  I  have  seen  in  some  of  you, 
when  you  were  sufferers  with  the  people  of  God?  but 
now  the  sufferings  of  the  saints  are  made  a  talk  at 
your  feasts,  to  fill  your  mouths  with  laughter;  and  you 
can  eat  and  drink,  and  rise  up  to  play,  and  stretch  your- 
selves upon  your  beds  of  ease;  but  the  afflictions  of 
your  brethren  are  not  laid  to  heart. 

Wo  to  you  that  are  at  ease,  while  the  simple  are  en- 
snared by  their  enemies'    God  is  highly  displeased  with 

I  you,  and  he  will  not  establish  you,  who  have  neglected 
mercy  and  justice:  hearken,  O  ye  priests'  and  give  ear, 
O  house  of  the  king!  for  judgment  is  toward  you,  who 
have  been  a  snare  upon  Mispah,  and  a  net  spread  upon 
mount  Tabor,  to  catch  the  innocent.  You  have  not 
been  careful  to  relieve  others,  when  you  had  power, 
neither  shall  you  deliver  your  own  selves  at  that  day. 
You  are  seeking  to  be  high,  but  you  shall  find  one  above 
you,  who  is  angry  with  the  proud,  and  will  bring  down 

(  the  mighty  from  their  seats,  that  he  may  relieve  the  op- 
pressed, and  let  the  prisoners  go  free,  and  the  lamb 
shall  take  the  kingdom. 

How  are  you  deceived,  who  have  sometimes  been 
the  wisdom  of  the  nations,  that  you  have  pulled  down 
others,  and  set  yourFelves  in  the  same  height?  How 
has  your  judgment  failed  you,  to  think,  that  all  this  sha- 
king and  overturning  hath  no  further  end,  but  to  set  up 
flesh,  and  to  exalt  one  man  to  rule  over  the  conscience 
of  another,  by  his  own  will,  where  Christ  should  reign 
as  king  forever?  Do  you  herein,  as  you  would  be  done 
by?  Do  you  not  act  contrary  to  the  scriptures,  and 
practice  of  all  the  holy  men  of  God,  who  durst  never 
sit  in  the  throne  of  Christ,  persecute  or  imprison  any 
for  conscience. 

Oh,  that  you  had  taken  counsel  at  the  fear  of  God! 
Then  had  you  stood  in  your  places,  and  should  have 
known  his  secrets;  and  that  his  intent  is,  only  to  exalt 
his  son  in  spirit,  in  the  fall  of  proud  flesh.    So  should 

II  you  have  used  all  your  power  to  make  way  for  his  king- 
dom,andyou  also  to  have  cast  down  your  crowns  at  his 
feet.    So  should  you  have  been  established  in  his  power, 


(    140  ) 


a  terror  to  the  wicked,  removers  of  oppression,  and 
makers  up  of  the  breach,  and  your  names  a  blessing  to 
generations.    But  now  that,  oppression  is  found  with 
you,  inasmuch  as  the  poor,  despised,  little  flock  of 
Christ  hath  suffered  under  you,  as  under  those  whom  the 
Lord  removed  before  you,  when  it  hath  been  in  your 
hands  to  relieve  them;  and  you  have  not  done  it.  And 
you  that  have  so  much  cried  up  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
in  words,  and  yet  have  'oeen  bold  to  limit  him  in  his 
kingdom  (the  consciences  of  his  saints)  therefore  above 
all  the  rest,  you  shall  not  escape  un})unished:  for  the 
Lord  looked,  that  you,  who  have  seen  his  love  and  pity 
to  you,  in  setting  you  above  your  enemies  and  fears, 
should  now  have  had  pity  on  your  brethren,  and  walked 
hunjbly  before  hsm.    And  for  that  end  he  put  power  in 
your  hands,  and  remt*ved  those  that  were  before  you,  and 
left  none  to  oppose  you,  that  you  might  freely  act  in 
mercy,  and  judgment,  and  righteousness.    But  seeing 
you  have  forsaken  the  Lord  and  his  work,  which  to 
you-ward  was  good,  and  are  become  exceeding  high, 
and  cruel  as  others,  and  the  poor  are  not  delivered  by 
you  from  the  hand  of  the  oppressor,and  him  that  is  too 
strong  for  him;  neither  have  you  cheerfully  go*  e  on  in 
unity  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  his  will,  but  stand  up 
in  your  own  wills,  opposing  the  deliverance  of  the 
righteous  seed:  therefore  now  will  I  arise,  saith  the 
Lord,  who  have  long  holden  ray  peace;  for  I  am  fidl  of 
jealousy  for  Sion,  who  is  trodden  upon,  and  I  v^^ill  appear 
for  her  in  the  midst  of  her  enemies;  and  1  will  gather 
the  outcasts  thereof,  who  have  not  been  regarded,  but 
have  been  scattered  by  you,  as  the  off-scouring  of  the 
world.    And  as  you  have  scattered,  and  not  pitied,  so 
shall  you  be  scattered,  and  none  shall  pity  you:  for  the 
world's  outcasts  are  my  jewels,  and  I  will  bring  them 
to  possess  the  gates  of  th^ir  enemies ;  even  by  the  word 
of  the  Almighty  shall  this  be  accomplished.    The  day 
is  near  at  hand. 

Wherefore  awake,  all  you  to  whom  oppression  is  a 
burthen,  whom  the  proud  have  trodden  upon;  and  you 
have  been  as  people  without  hope ;  neither  have  known 
any  way  to  look  for  help,  for  every  man  hath  become 


(  141  ) 


vain.  Now  arise  up  out  of  all  your  earthly  expecta- 
tions, and  stand  up  to  meet  the  Lord  our  righteousness, 
who  is  risen  to  deliver  his  people,  the  promised  seed, 
wiio  is  in  covenant  with  him,  and  to  gather  them  from 
among  the  heathen,  and  them  that  have  made  a  prey 
upon  iliem,  because  they  have  not  known  him,  who  will 
save  them. 

And  now  look  no  more  to  the  arm  of  flesh  for  freedom, 
for  therein  hath  been  your  woe;  but  wait  for  the  deliv- 
erer out  of  Sion,  the  ancient  of  days,  and  Gdd  of  Isra- 
el's seed,  who  hath  let  you  sec  the  emptiness  of  all  cre- 
ated helps,  to  which  your  eyes  have  been  looking,  that 
yon  n)ight  return,  and  complain  to  him  only,  who  is  the 
fountain,  from  whom  all  his  find  pit} . 

And  now  a  word  to  the  wise  amongst  you ;  forasmuch 
as  the  Lord  hath  showed  me,  that  there  is  a  seed  a- 
mongst  you,  whose  hearts  are  not  wholly  hardened,  nor 
have  wilfully  stopped  your  ears  against  the  cry  of  the 
oppressed,  nor  have  been  consenting  to  the  cruelty  that 
hath  been  acted,  and  is  intended  against  the  innocent. 
To  you  I  say  arise,  and  deliver  yourselves  from  the 
guilt  of  oppression,  and  cruelty  of  these  men,  and  hum- 
ble vourselves  before  the  Lord,  that  you  may  receive 
wisdom  from  him,  and  boldness  to  declare  against  all 
violence  and  injustice.  And  set  yourselves  to  deliver 
the'oppressed  to  the  utmost,  that  you  may  be  hid,  and 
have  a  sure  house,  and  be  established. 

Take  heed  that  you  walk  not  by  example  of  others, 
but  in  the  light  of  Christ,  which  guides  the  conscience ; 
and  that  will  keep  you  tender  hearted,  in  bowels  of  mer- 
cy to  all.  And  let  it  not  seem  strange  to  you,  to  see 
others  wholly  set  on  mischief,  but  consider,  could  ever 
any  of  your  cruel  oppressors  believe,  though  God  hath 
always  sent  to  warn  them  before  the  judgment  come, 
that  thereby  he  might  leave  them  without  excuse,  and 
be  clear  when  he  comes  to  take  vengeance.  But  they 
have  hardrned  themselves  against  all  reproof;  and  mar- 
vel not  to  see  it  so  at  this  day:  for  the  seed  of  the  proud 
is  but  one  in  all  ages.  Wherefore  mind  the  fear  of  God, 
and  his  laws,  and  consent  not  to  any  thing  because  of  a 
multitude,  but  for  righteousness  and  equities  sake.  And 


0" 


(    142  ) 


having  righteousness  before  you,  fear  not  the  face  of  any, 
nor  ibe  reproach  of  men;  but  be  valiant  for  the  truth, 
the  glory  of  God,  and  freedom  of  every  oppressed  one; 
and  victory  is  before  you,  if  you  be  faithful. 

And  the  Lord  God  ahnighty  bless,  prosper  and  guide 
all  the  faithful  among  you,  to  keep  clear  out  of  all  the 
consultations  of  the  wicked,  that  you  may  never  consent 
to  any  thing  but  what  is  of  God,  warranted  in  the  scrip- 
tures, and  practised  by  the  saints;  that  you  may  no  lon- 
ger rest  in  *a  profession  of  what  the  saints  were,  and  act 
the  contrary,  but  that  you  may  come  to  be  guided  in  all 
things,  by  the  same  spirit,  kept  out  of  all  the  wisdom  of 
the  world,  and  the  fear  of  God  be  amongst  you. 

Written  from  the  movings  of  the  Lord  in  one  that 
pities  the  ruins  of  the  nation,  for  want  of  righteousness, 
justice  and  mercy. 

James  Nayler. 

Westmoreland;  the  9th  month,  1653. 


A  FEW  WORDS  OCCASIONED  BY  A  TAPER  LATELY  PRINTED,   STYLED  A 
DISCOURSE  CONCERNING    THE  QUAKERS.      TOGETHER  WITH  A 
CALL    TO    MAGISTRATES,  MINISTERS,  LAWYERS  A5.D 
PEOPLE,  TO  REPENTANCE. 

Wherein  all  men  may  see,  that  the  doctrine  and  life  of  those  people  whom 
the  world  scornfully  calls  Quakers,  is  the  very  doctrine  and  life  of  Christ. 

Written  forthesake  of  the  simple  minded  ones,  who  are  willing  to  follow 
Christ  under  the  cross,  and  to  deny  all  things  to  be  his  disciples. 

By  a  servant  of  the  Lord,  reproached  by  the  world,  and  carnal  worship- 
pers, under  the  name  of  a  Quaker.  James  Nayler. 

TO  THE  READER. 

Friend, meeting  lately  with  a  printed  paper,  styled  a 
discourse  concerning  the  Quakers;  and  finding  many 
things  in  it  deeply  reflecting  on  the  spirit  of  the  Lord, 
sent  into  the  hearts  of  men,  to  reprove  and  convince 
them  of  sin,  and  reproaching  his  holy  people,  whom  he 
hath  called  out  of  the  world;  and  that  it  was  scattered 
abroad  into  many  hands,  and  so  might  prove  a  stumbling- 
block  to  weak  minds:  I  was  moved  to  send  it  to  a  friend 
in  the  west,  who  for  the  simple  ones  sake,  hath  given 
forth  a  few  things,  that  truth  may  appear. 

And  if  there  be  any,  that  by  reading  this,  shall  be 
brought  to  discover  truth  from  error,  or  to  lay  to  heart 


(    143  ) 

their  conditions,  and  how  they  have  hitherto  trifled 
away  their  precious  time,  there  is  another  paper,  now  int 
the  press,  from  the  same  hand,  which  will  show  forth 
the  true  light  that  guides  to  God,  and  opens  the  scrip- 
tures, removes  the  doubts  about  the  great  power  of  the 
Lord,  manifested  in  shaking  the  earthly  part  of  those  he 
brings  to  himself,  plainly  declare  the  deceits  of  the  false 
prophets  of  the  world,  and  let  the  magistrate  see  the 
bounds  of  his  authority. 

There  is  another  paper  come  forth,  by  the  author  of 
the  former  discourse,  occasioned  by  something  writi  in 
answer  to  it,  by  one  who  saith  he  is  none  of  those  called 
Quakers;*  and  yet  the  discourser  chargeth  all  things  he 
saith  on  them.  But  the  paper  sufficiently  betrays  the 
author's  weakness,  and  its  own  folly. 

Read  without  prejudice,  that  thou  mayst  receive  i»- 
struction,  and  not  increase  thy  own  misery.        A.  P. 

>^-trW^  (Pt^-d^ 

A  PAPER  being  come  to  my  hand,  which  is  full  of  de- 
ceit, under  pretence  of  religion,  and  a  form  of  profession, 
striking  at  the  life  of  all  religion,  which  is  obedience  to 
all  the  commands  of  God  in  the  spirit:  and  under  pre- 
tence of  the  letter,  which  he  calls  the  word,  he  goes 
about  to  reproach  and  scorn,  and  slight  the  teachings  of 
Christ  in  the  spirit,  whereby  he  rules  in  the  consciences 
of  his  saints,  and  by  which  light  he  reveals  the  father 
in  them,  and  thereby  declares  himself  to  be  the  eternal 
word  and  witness  within  his:  which  word  first  was 
known  within  them,  a  free  gift  of  the  father,  without  any 
letter  or  human  learning,  and  then  declared  out  in  the 
letter. 

But  they  who  (as  the  jews)  think  they  have  salvatioB 
in  the  letter,  are  enemies  and  persecutors  of  them  who 
have  the  eternal  witness  of  salvation  in  the  spirit;''  and 
from  that  spirit  hath  this  paper  its  foundation;  far  God 
having  put  the  enmity  between  the  carnal  and  the  spirit- 
ual seeds,  there  can  be  no  agreement. 

Now,  though  I  abhor  striving  for  masterhood  in  words 
or  writing;  yet  for  the  sake  of  the  simple  ones,  who  no^ 


a  G.  BaitmaQ's  answer,  1653.  b  John  5. 39.   Gal.  3.  29. 


1 

^  (  144  ) 

yet  having  the  true  judgment  and  salt  in  themselves,  to 
•discern  the  spirits,  are  subject  to  take  great  swelling 
words  of  man's  wisdom  for  the  power  of  God  unto  sal- 
vation:'' I  am  therefore  moved  to  lay  open  some  of  the 
^leceits  in  this  paper,  that  where  truth  and  simplicity  is 
in  \he  heart;  it  may  more  clearly  judge  of  truth  from 
deceit. 

The  paper  is  intituled,  "a  discourse  ^concerning  the 
Quakers." 

It  is  no  new  thing,  for  the  dearest  servants  and  chil- 
dreri  of  God  to  be  a  discourse,  a  reproach,  a  taunt  and 
by-\ford,  a  wonder  and  a  scorn  to  fools  and  wicked 
inen;^and  to  have  the  belly-god  and  drunkard  to  make 
songs  for  their  sad  and  afflicted  conditions,  and  to  be 
called  by  nick-names,  such  as  it  pleaseth  Ishmael's 
brood  to  cast  upon  them,  to  be  called  devils,  deceivers, 
hereticks,  franiicks,  madmen,  quakers,  and  such  like.' — 
But  it  is  that  the  same  scriptures  may  be  fulfilled  in  the 
saints,  that  were  in  Christ  their  example;  as  they  have 
done  unto  me,  so  will  they  do  unto  you.  If  they  keep 
my  sayings,  they  will  also  keep  yours.  If  they  have 
called  the  good  man  of  the  house  Belzebub,  how  much 
morethemof  his  household.'^ 

Thou  sayst,  it's  plainly  foretold,  that  in  the  last  days  • 
shall  be  the  greatest  deceivers,  and  worst  of  hypocrites, 
men  extraordinarily  inspired  with  a  spirit  of  lies  and  de- 
lusion 

It  is  above  sixteen  hundred  years  since  those  were 
foretold,  and  they  have  had  so  long  a  time  since,  to 
broach  their  deceits  and  strengthen  themselves  in  the 
earth,  that  the  deceit  is  now  grown  a  monster,  and  hath 
got  many  heads  and  horns  f  religions  and  forms  one  at 
war  with  another,  striving  with  words  and  weapons,  who 
should  be  greatest.  But  now  that  Christ  is  risen  in  his 
saints  to  reveal  this  man  of  sin  by  his  light,  and  to  de- 
stroy hifii  with  the  sword  of  his  mouth,  all  forms  of  reli- 
gions, the  beast  and  the  f?ilse  prophet,  gog  and  magog 
are  joined  together  to  strike  at  this  light.^  And  no  won- 
der, for  that  deceitful  spirit  knows,  that  that  light  which 


alCor.2.5,6.  b  Psal.  69.  12,  31, 11,22,  6.  c  John  10,20.  d  Lmke  23,  31.  e  Rev. 
13,1,    f2Tbess.  2.  7,  8.    Ezek.  38.  18, 19.    Acts  4. 26,27, 


(    145  ) 

discovers  him  in  one  form,  will  discover  him  in  all.  And 
lovv  the  devil  would  pass  judgment  upon  that  light, 
which  is  come  to  judge  him  where  he  is,  and  so  set  any 
whom  he  can  prevail  in,  to  cast  reproach  upon  it,  under 
many  odious  names,  that  so  he  may  keep  people  at  a 
distance  from  so  much  as  owning  it  f  for  he  knows  if 
any  own  it,  there  he  is  discovered,  and  disowned.  . 

And  this  is  his  way  in  all  in  whom  he  speaks,  to  cry 
out  against  those  that  walk  in  the  light  in  general,  call- 
-iig  them  deceivers,  hereticks,  hypocrites,  deniers  of 
scriptures  and  ordinances,^  and  many  such  words,  as  he 
thinks  may  make  the  truth  nwst  odious  to  others,  but 
not  once  show  in  what  particular:  such  walk  contrary 
to  the  scripture,  for  the  deceit  knows  that  if  it  come 
to  trial,  itself  will  be  found  that  which  walks  contrary 
to  the  scripture;  for  the  same  light  that  gave  out  the 
scriptures,  leads  not  contrary  to  it. 

And  now  who  will  be  the  greatest  deceivers?  wheth- 
er a  poor,  despised,  persecuted,  reproached  people, 
whom  God  hath  called  out  of  the  world's  ways,  words, 
works,  worship,  riches  and  pleasures,  and  so  are  become 
stangers  and  wanderers  to  and  fro,  seeking  a  city  whose 
builder  and  maker  is  God,  Heb.  11.  26,  27,  28 ;  and  for 
this  their  obedience  being  counted  the  off-scouring  of  the 
world,  1  Cor.  4.  9,  10,  11,  12,  13.  and  suffering  all  with 
patience,  as  the  saints  did,  who  declared  this  in  scrip- 
ture; or  they  who  profess  that  scripture  which  witness- 
eth  these  things,  but  still  are  in  their  lusts,  pride,  cove- 
tousness,  exaltations  over  others,  living  like  fat  swine  in 
the  earth,  differing  from  the  world  in  nothing,  but  only  in 
notions  and  long  prayers,  whereby  they  appear  to  be 
greater  deceivers  than  the  world,  who  profess  nothing 
but  what  they  are?'  And  for  the  worst  of  hypocrites, 
for  they  who  profess  the  highest  things,  and  most  like  to 
saints,  which  they  live  not  the  life  of,  nor  are  sanctified 
as  they  were,  whose  conditions  they  profess.  These  are 
the  worst  of  hypocrites. 

And  for  the  great  train  thou  speakest  on,  wouldst  not 
thou  have  been  offended  at  those  many  thousands 

a  Luke  6.  22.   b  Acls24. 14.  &.6. 13. 14.    cTit.  I.IG.    Maf  23.11,H 

19 


(   146  ) 


that  followed  Christ  and  his  disciples,  when  they  preach-^ 
ed  the  same  gospel,  if  thou  hadst  lived  thenT  They 
who  were  of  thy  spirit  were  as  much  disquieted  at  it 
then,  as  thou  art  now. 

Thou  sayest,it  hath  been  an  old  project  of  the  devil, 
to  destroy  the  letter,  the  supreme  authority  of  the  scrip- 
ture.. 

Thou  art  blind,  who  sayest  that  the  letter  is  the  su- 
preme authority  of  the  scriptures;^  for  that  which 
gave  it  forth  in  parables  to  the  serpents  seed,  and  opens 
it  again  in  the  saints,  as  they  grow  in  their  measures, 
and  opens  the  scriptures  in  and  to  all,  is  the  supreme 
authority  of  scriptures,  which  is  not  the  letter,  but  the 
spirit,  2  Cor.  3.  6.  And  they  who  wait  to  have  the 
scriptures  fulfilled  in  them  by  Christ,  go  not  about  to 
destroy  the  letter,  but  to  establish  it. 

And  for  the  judgments  of  men  thou  talkest  of,  what 
is  their  judgments  worth?  Where  the  j^ractice  is  want- 
ing, God  is  not  served  with  words.  There  are  two  sorts 
of  people,  which  thou  conceivest  to  be  most  odious  to 
all  people;  and  thou  wouldst  rank  these  whom  thou 
wouldest  reproach,  amongst  either  of  them;  but  come  to 
trial,  and  thou  wilt  find  thy  self  far  nearer  either  of  these 
than  they. 

And  first  for  papists ;  which  of  the  idolatrous  worships 
and  traditions  of  the  papists,  or  that  are  ordained  for 
popish  ends,  do  we  practise?  But  it  may  be,  thou  thy 
self  art  yet  in  the  idols  temple,  builded  by  the  papists 
for  idolatrous  worship,  never  commanded  by  God;  and 
for  such  worship  is  kept  up  and  used  at  this  day,  if  thou 
be  not  yet  in  many  popish  customs,  as  observing  days, 
and  times,  and  seasons,  and  persons,  and  outward  tra- 
ditions of  men,  not  commanded  of  God,  which  we  whom 
thou  reproachest  do  all  deny.'  And  the  papists  are  one 
with  thee  in  reproaching,  and  scorning,  and  persecuting 
to  their  power. 

And  for  those  thou  callest  ranters,  is  there  any  people 
in  the  nation  that  more  differ  in  practice  from  us  than 
they?    And  if  thou  wouldst  look  at  thy  own  pride,  ful- 


a  Mat.  14.21.   bJohnl4,2&.   c  Gal.  4.  10 


(   147  ) 


ness,  and  the  satisfying  of  thy  hist,  thou  wouldst  set? 
httle  difference  between  thee  and  them,  but  in  judgment. 

And  thou  art  offended  at  the  knowledge  of  Christ 
within  tiie  saints:  art  thou  not  ashamed  to  profess  the 
scriptures,  and  deny  what  they  testify?  Which  of  the 
saints  did  witness  any  other  knowledge  of  Christ  after 
his  ascension,  but  as  he  was  revealed  in  them? — 
.  And  all  that  know  him  in  spirit,  know  him  within  them. 
And  is  there  any  Christ  but  one?  because  thou  sayst, 
they  know  no  other  Chr-ist,  but  a  Christ  within  them; 
and  thou  that  knowst  no  Christ  but  without,  ye  know 
him  not,  but  by  hearsay :  and  then  art  not  thou  that  no- 
tionist  thou  speakst  on?  Read  this  in  the  margin,  and 
see  who  denies  the  scriptures,  and  the  saints  conditions/ 

And  thou  sayst,  that  their  quakings  are  either  coun- 
terfeit, or  come  from  the  power  of  the  devil. 

How!  art  thou  not  afraid  to  speak  against  the  holy 
ghost?  Search  the  scriptures,  and  thou  shalt  find, that 
God  hath  said,  all  flesh  shall  quake  and  tremble  before 
him.  And  the  holy  men  of  God  do  witness,  that  the 
way  by  which  they  come  to  know  God  was,  through 
quaking  and  trembling,  fasting  and  weeping,  which  thou 
that  art  in  the  flesh,  and  the  earthly  part  in  thee  stands 
unshaken,  knowst  not,  and  therefore  scornst  it.*'  But  it  is 
no  new  thing  for  this  generation,  to  render  the  works  of 
God  to  be  of  the  devil. 

Thou  sayst,  they  will  go  in  rags;  dost  thou  now  speak 
truth?  How  many  hast  thou  seen  deny  whole  clothes, 
to  go  in  rags?  Art  not  thou  inspired  with  the  lying 
spirit,  thou  spokest  on  before?  But  it  may  be  thou  art 
displeased  that  they  pull  off  their  pride,  as  gold  and  sil- 
ver;' that  which  they  do  in  obedieace  to  God,  thou 
wouldst  render  it  only  as  a  show.  But  see  what  spirit 
that  is  thou  speakest  from. 

And  why  art  thou  offended  at  a  mean  diet,  or  punish- 
ing the  body,  as  thou  callst  it?  Did  not  Daniel  refuse 
all  pleasant  meats  for  three  full  weeks.*^  And  David 
afflicted  his  soul  through  fasting,  and  it  turned  to  his 


a  Gal.  1,16.  Col.  1. 17.  2Cor.  13,  3,5.  John  14. 10, 15,  4,  &  17,23.  Gal.  2.  20,  &  4, 
19.  Ezek.38, 19,20, &22,18.  b  Hag.  2.  6,7.  Amos.  8.8,10.  Psal.  110.  24,  25.  Ezra 
10.1.   Mat.  12.24.   c  Isa.  2.  20.  &31.7.    d  Dan.  10. 2, 3. 


(    148  J 


ipeproacb  with  such  as  thou.  And  why  art  thou  ot^end- 
ed?  They  should  care  for  no  more  than  meat,  drink 
and  clothes,  when  Christ  forbids  his  to  care  for  so  mucli. 
And  the  apostle  exhorts,  having  food  and  raiment,  be 
therewith  content.  And  why  art  thou  offended  at  self- 
denial,  and  taking  up  the  cross  to  their  own  lusts?  Doth 
not  Chrst  say,  he  that  will  be  my  disciple,  must  take  up 
liis  cross  daily,  and  follow  me?'  And  had  not  the  saints 
the  lusts  of  the  flesh  crucified  by  the  cross?  why  wilt 
thou  profess  the  scriptures,  and  not  own  the  })ractice  of 
them,  but  wrangle  with  them  that  do.' 

Thou  sayst,  they  are  above  ordinances,  above  scrip- 
tures, and  cry  down  all  as  forms. 

But  what  ordinance  of  Christ  are  they  above?  It  is 
the  traditions  and  inventions  of  men  they  are  above,  as 
those  you  call  ordinances  have  been  often  prove^l,  and 
will  more  appear  upon  further  trial.  And  for  being 
above  scripture,  if  thou  wert  not  blind,  thou  mightest 
see  them  live  in  the  life  of  scripture,  in  their  measures, 
as  they  did  to  whom  it  was  given. 

Thou  art  offended,  that  they  should  own  an  infallible 
light  in  them  ;  which  the  light  of  Christ  is,  whoever  hath 
it.  Now  thou  that  canst  not  witness  an  infallible  light, 
how  wilt  thou  be  a  guide  to  others?  And  what  hast 
thou  to  do  to  judge  any?  But  he  that  hath  the  light  of 
Christ,  hath  an  infallible  light,  which  whosoever  follows, 
shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the  light  of 
life.  And  as  this  light  ariseth,  judgment  is  brought 
forth,  for  all  judgment  is  given  unto  the  son:  and  in  that 
light  all  his  see  light,  and  are  led  into  all  truth.*^  And 
this  light  shows  all  things  in  measure;  and  ten  thousand 
being  gathered  by  this  light,  and  not  run  before  it,  shall 
be  all  taught  one  way,  be  of  one  heart,  mind  and  soul: 
but  all  who  stumble  at  this  light,  are  in  darkness,  confu- 
sion, and  at  ajar  among  themselves. 

And  whereas  thou  wouldst  make  people  believe,  that 
this  light  they  walk  by  will  not  endure  the  light  of  the 
word;  that  is  deceit  in  thee,  for  it  is  the  word  Which  is 


a  Psal.  69.  9, 10.  b  Matt.  6.  31,  32.  33,  34.  1  Tim.  6.  8.  Heb.  12.  5.  Luke9.  32.— 
Gal.  5.24.  c  Col.  2.  20.  d  Mat.  12  8,  20.  1  Cor.  2. 15.  Isa.  42.  3.6,7.  John  8.  12. 
&1.9.   Psal.  36.9.   Mat.  5. 14.    Ephes.S.  13, 14.   IJohn  5.6,7. 


(   149  ) 


nigh,  in  the  heart  and  in  the  mouth,^  and  doth  not  oppose 
itself,  but  is  one  with  scripture,  as  all  they  are  who 
walk  in  it;  only  itopposeth  all  the  twinings,  and  wrest- 
ing of  the  serpent,  whereby  he  would  wrest  the  scrip- 
ture, to  deceive  with. 

Thou  sayst,  the  saints  have  a  glorious  light  in  them, 
but  imperfect. 

Is  there  any  glorious  light,  but  the  light  of  Christ? 
And  thou  that  callest  that  an  imperfect  light,  art  blind, 
and  not  able  to  judge  of  light/  It  is  true,  the  light  is  j 
but  manifest  in  the  creature  by  degrees,  but  the  least 
degree  is  perfect  in  its  measure,  and  being  obeyed,  will 
lead  to  the  perfect  day,'^  and  is  perfect  in  itself,  and 
leads  up  to  perfection  all  that  perfectly  follow^  it.  And 
thou  that  so  often  wouldst  put  the  external  letter,  that 
had  a  beginning,  instead  of  Christ  the  eternal  word,  by 
which  all  things  were  made,  and  who  dwelleth  in  the 
saints,  and  liveth  in  them,  and  enlighteneth  them,  dost 
sufficiently  clear  thyself,  that  thou  knowst  him  not  in 
thee.' 

And  whereas  thou  talkest  of  trying  the  light  by  the 
letter;  if  thou  knewest  him,  who  is  the  eternal  witness 
within  thyself,  thou  wouldst  see  thou  needest  not  to  try 
the  inward  substance  by  the  outward  declaration;^  the 
living  by  the  dead.  The  apostle  saith.  the  word  is  pow- 
erful, sharper  than  a  two-edged  sword,  kc.  And  this 
thou  twinest  to  deceive  the  simple,  and  sayst  the  scrip- 
ture is  so.  Why  wilt  thou  wrest  the  scripture  to  thy 
own  destruction?  Thou  hast  long  had  the  bible  by 
thee;  but  what  hath  it  cut  down  or  divided  in  thee?  or, 
hath  it  discerned  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  thy  heart? 
thou  and  thy  sins  are  not  yet  divided. 

Thou  sayst,  owls  fly  the  light:  but  see  who  do  not 
own  the  light,  and  they  are  such  who  love  the  works  of 
the  night.  And  thou  that  Speakest  lightly,  vilely,  or 
accursedly  of  the  light  of  Christ  in  his  saints,  speakest 
evil  of  that  thou  knowest  not,  and  shalt  account  for  thy 
blasphemy.' 

a  Rom.  10.  b 2  Pet. 3, 16.  c  Eph.  4, 18.  Eph.4,7.  d  John  17.23  e  Rom.  2.  2ft 
Tohnl2,46.    i  IJohnS.lO.   gJohnS,  20.21.   Jude  10. 


(    150  ) 


And  thou  deceitful  spirit,  that  gatherest  up  the  vvork- 
nig  power  of  Christ  in  the  saints,  wouldst  attribute  it  to 
the  letter,  art  about  to  make  poor,  ignorant  people  be- 
lieve, that  the  letter  is  the  spirit,  and  that  the  letter. is 
the  word,  which  is  but  a  declaration  of  the  word,  and 
itself  saith  plainly,  Christ  is  the  word;*  but  the  letter  is 
not  Christ.  And  this  would  make  people  believe,  that 
he  that  hath  the  letter,  hath  the  spirit;  when  both  thou, 
and  many  more,  may  have  the  letter,  and  persecute  the 
spirit,  and  blaspheme  against  the  holy  ghost,  as  was  in 
the  Jews,  and  is  at  this  day. 

Thou  speakest  of  the  word  of  God,  in  which  Christ 
and  the  spirit  speaks:  and  thus  thou  wouldst  make 
them  who  are  blind,  believe  it  is  the  letter;  and  to  prove 
it  thou  bringst  these  scriptures,  Heb.  1,  2.  But  was 
that  the  letter,  by  which  God  had  spoken  to  them,  which 
he  calls  the  son  of  God?  is  the  letter  the  son?  and  that 
in  Rev.  2,  17,  he  doth  not  say,  hear  what  the  letter 
saith,  but  hear  what  the  spirit  saith;  or  that  in  Eph.  6, 
17,  is  it  there  called  the  sword  of  the  letter,  or  the 
sword  of  the  spirit? 

And  thou  wilt  make  people  believe,  that  God  doth  all 
in  the  hearts  of  his  people  by  the  letter  without.  Thou 
sayest,  by  it  he  sanctifies,  enlightens,  comforts,  seals, 
witnesseth,  teacheth,  &c.  which  if  thou  meginest  the 
letter,  which  thou  callest  the  word,  then  the  letter  itself 
shall  witness  against  thee  in  all  these,  that  it  is  not  the 
letter,  but  the  spirit  that  doth  all  this,  where  they  are 
indeed." 

Thou  sayest,  without  the  word  he  doth  nothing  in  us., 
speaks  nothing  in  us,  in  the  highest  revelations:  it  is 
the  ground  of  faith,  and  without  it  faith  cannot  act,  and 
the  faith  hath  no  bottom  but  the  word. 

Which  if  thou  meanest  the  letter  of  scripture,  I  an-^ 
swer,  wherein  thou  sayest  in  us,  here  thou  shewest  thy- 
self a  stranger  to  the  works,  word,  revelation  and  faith 
that  the  saints  did  witness,  as  is  plain  in  the  letter;  for  , 
they  witness  the  works  of  God  in  them  in  spirit,  and  I 
not  in  letter;  the  word  from  God's  own  mouth  in  spirit^ 

a2Cor.3,6.  Rom.  7,6,  &  2,29.  Johnl.l4.  Rev. 19,13.  bJudel.  John  14,26..  I'l 
Eph.  4,  30.   Rom.  8, 14, 16.    1  Thes.  4, 10.   I  Cor.  2, 10.  I 


(   151  ) 


and  revelation  in  spirit,  but  never  any  in  the  letter- 
And  thou  art  ignorant  of  Abraham's  faith,  and  the 
ground  of  it,  which  had  a  ground  when  there  was  no 
letter,  and  acted  when  there  was  no  letter:^  but  they 
who  are  of  Abraham's  seed,  witness  Abraham's  faith, 
grounded  on  the  promised  seed,  which  is  Christ,  and  is 
acted  in  him,  and  not  on  the  letter;  which  works,  word, 
revelation  and  faith,  I  witness  in  me  in  the  spirit,  and 
not  in  the  letter,  and  that  faith  which  is  in  Christ,  stands 
Bot  in  volumes. 

Thou  'sayest,  this  is  a  more  sure  word  of  prophecy, 
and  to  prove  it,  thou  quotest,  2  Pet.  1,  19,  where  the 
apostle  speaks  not  of  the  letter,  but  of  the  light  of 
Christ,  shining  in  the  dark  hearts,  to  which  they  were 
to  give  heed,  that  by  it  they  might  be  led  to  the  day. 
And  this  is  in  their  hearts,  and  not  in  the  letter;  which 
iight  thou  scornest,  and  callest  it  an  ignus  fatuus,  a  sa- 
tannical  fallen  light:  but  thou  yet  knowest  not  what 
thou  speakest,  that  blasphemest  the  true  light  that  is 
come  into  the  world,  and  lighteneth  every  one  that 
comes  into  the  world  ;**  yea,  them  which  never  saw  let- 
ter, which  is  the  condemnation  of  those  who  obey  it 
not,  but  love  their  evil  deeds. 

Thou  settest  down  many  benefits  the  saints  have  in 
the  word,  which  is  true;  but  thou  that  wouldst  as- 
cribe them  to  the  letter,  knowst  them  not,  but  in  the 
notion. 

Thou  sayest,  that  those  that  have  more  glorious  dis- 
coveries and  revelations  of  Christ  to  boast  on,  than  ever 
any  of  those  men  knew;  yet  do  cast  down  the  glory  of 
their  light  before  the  scriptures,  and  are  in  subjection  to 
scripture  and  ordinances:  And  thou  dost  instance  the 
disciples  who  saw  Christ  ascend. 

I  answer:  whether  is  it  a  more  glorious  discovery  and 
manifestation  of  Christ,  to  see  him  appearing  in  them 
the  second  time  in  the  spirit,  without  sin  unto  salvation, 
or  that  to  see  him  depart  in  the  flesh,  seeing  Christ  tells 
them,  it  is  necessary  that  he  go  away,  in  the  flesh,  that 
he  may  come  in  the  spirit  f    Thou  dost  sufficiently  de- 

aGal.  1,12.  Eph.  1,  17.  Gal  3,  6,  7,  9,  &  3, 1«.  bJohnl,9,&19  cH^b.9,2fe. 
2Tini.  1.10.   John  14,  28.   1  Cor.  15,8. 


V   152  ) 


tilare  tby  ignorance,  measuring  others  who  witness  him, 
with  thyself,  who  knowest  no  more  of  him,  but  what 
thou  hast  found  of  him  in  the  letter. 

And  for  that  subjection  to  the  sriptures  and  ordinan- 
ces, and  waiting  thou  speakeston;  did  they  wait  in  the 
letter,  and  in  those  forms,  and  customs,  and  idols  tem- 
ples that  you  wait  in?  They  waited  together  for  the 
appearance  of  Christ  in  spirit,  praying  in  that  measure 
of  spirit  they  had  received. 

Thou  goest  about  to  make  people  believe,  that  the 
light  of  Christ,  which  is  given  to  enlighten  every  one 
that  comes  into  the  world,  is  a  natural  or  fallen  light  f 
but  if  thou  didst  know,  own  and  obey  it,  it  would  lead 
thee  out  of  the  fall ;  and  for  that  end  art  thou  and  others 
so  often  checked  and  reproved  by  it,  for  your  pride, 
covetousness,  envy,  scornfulness,  and  other  sins;'*  which 
though  you  now  disobey,  as  a  thing  too  low  for  your  high 
notions,  yet  this  light  shall  remain  for  an  eternal  wit- 
ness against  all  that  hate  and  disobey  it.  And  whereas 
thou  wouldst  scandal  this  light,  to  lead  into  exhorbitan- 
€es,  deceit  and  miscarriages,  and  many  such  things, 
they  are  falsely  cast  upon  this  light;  for  all  these  are 
amongst  you  who  hate  the  light:  but  whoso  obey  and 
love  the  light,  it  discovers  these,  and  leads  all  who  fol- 
low it  into  one  mind,  heart  and  soul and  if  ten  times 
ten  thousand  that  are  guided  by  it,  yet  not  a  word  of 
dispute,  but  all  speak  the  same  things. 

And  thou  callest  the  scripture,  a  standing  rule,  but  it 
is  not  so  to  you,  who  cannot  believe  that  ever  it  shall  be  I 
fulfilled  in  you,  as  it  was  given  out  by  the  holy  ghost ;  nei-  i 
ther  will  you  so  be  tried  by  it,  but  you  will  rest  and  ; 
twine  it,  to  make  it  meet  your  wills,  where  your  profits,  , 
pleasures  and  lusts  will  not  suffer  you  to  take  up  the  \ 
cross,  and  come  up  to  it.  But  if  it  be  a  standing  rule,  I 
let  it  stand  as  it  is,  not  confounded  with  the  serpents  . 
wisdom,  and  then  prove  thyself  by  it,  and  those  people  ■ 
thou  reproachest  and  miscallest,  whether  thou  or  they  1 
own  it  in  practice.  J 
Thou  cdllest  the  word  of  God,  the  son  of  truth,  and  ijfl 
yet  thou  wouldst  make  people  believe  it  is  the  scripture  ■ 

a  Acts  1,14.   b  John  8, 12.   c  Acts  4,32.  H 


(   153  ) 


letter.  Is  the  letter  the  son  of  truth  ?  May  oot  all  that 
look  on  that^see  thee  in  Baylon? 

Thou  sayest,  how  could  it  be  known  that  there  is  a. 
God,  and  Christ,  and  holy  ghost,  with  their  works  and 
worships? 

I  answer;  if  thou  knowest  not  the  father,  son  and 
spirit,  one  God,  and  the  way  of  his  worship  otherways 
than  thou  hast  found  in  the  letter,  thou  knowest  but 
that  in  letter  and  notion,  which  all  the  saints  of  God 
knew  in  spirit  and  power  ;^  and  thou  worshippest  in 
letter  and  form  thou  knowest  not  what,  who  dost  not 
know  and  worship  in  spirit;  and  herein  thou  shalt  have 
Christ,  and  ail  the  holy  men  to  witness  against  thee. 

Thou  sayest,  the  holy  ghost  interprets  scripture  by 
scripture,  and  reveals  Christ,  the  father,  the  holy  ghost, 
the  souls  union  with  them  by  scripture. 

I  answer;  the  holy  ghost,  where  he  is,  needs  no 
scripture  to  interpret  scripture  by,  who  gave  forth  all 
the  scripture,  and  opens  it  again;  for  the  holy  ghost 
did  not  give  out  the  scripture  in  parab>es  to  its  own  seed, 
but  to  them  that  are  without  and  as  that  spirit  ariseth, 
it  opens  and  brings  all  that  is  spoken  in  scripture  to  re- 
membrance, and  leads  into  all  truth,  in  its  measure." 
And  when  any,  in  whom  the  scripture  was,  have  made 
use  of  scripture  in  such  like  cases,  it  hath  not  been  to 
open  the  meaning  to  themselves,  but  to  convince  others, 
who  had  not  the  spirit,  or  would  not  own  it. 

And  for  souls  union,  which  of  the  saints  had  the  wit- 
ness of  their  souls  union,  to  seek  in  the  letter?''  But 
he  that  believeth,  hath  the  witness  in  himself,  in  spirit, 
and  not  in  the  letter.  And  for  trying  and  judging,  it  is 
not  the  literal,  but  the  spiritual  man  that  judgeth  all 
things,  and  no  visible  thing  can  judge  him.*"  Thou 
wouldst  have  them  to  suspect  this  light,  those  who  have 
no  light  to  walk  by,  but  what  they,  by  their  wisdom  and 
learning,  have  gathered  out  of  the  letter,  have  cause  to 
suspect  it,  but  they  who  have  the  infallible  light  of 
Christ,  by  which  all  is  tried,  and  judged,  and  discerned, 
and  judgment  brought  forth  into  victory  in  themselves  by 

a  IJolin  5.  6,  7.  8,  9.  John  4,  22,  23, 24.  Phil. 3, 3.  b  2  Pet.  1.  21.  John  14,26; 
Mat.  13,10, 11.   cJohnl6,3,   d  2 Cor. 3, 3.   elJohnS.lO.   Rom.8»16.   I  Cor. 2^  15. 

20 


(  154  J 


it,  they  have  no  cause  to  suspect  it,  but  wait  to  walk 
in  it. 

Thou  art  offended,  that  they  should  say,  they  pray 
always,  have  the  baptism  of  fire,  eat  the  flesh  and 
drink  the  blood  of  Christ;  that  they  were  once  as  others, 
hypocrites.^ 

Now  why  wilt  thou  thus  wrangle,  that  the  commands 
and  promises  of  Christ  should  be  witnessed,  fulfilled  in 
the  saints  now,  as  they  have  been  in  scripture  witnessed  ? 
Doth  not  the  apostles  exhort,  to  pray  always  without 
ceasing?  And  are  any  baptized  into  Christ,  who  are 
not  able  to  witness  the  baptism  of  fire  and  the  spirit,  for 
water-baptism  avails  not  unto  salvation?  And  doth 
not  Christ  plainly  say,  that  whosoever  eats  not  his 
flesh,  and  drinks  not  his  blood,  have  no  life  in  them? 
And  have  not  the  saints  witnessed  a  time,  wherein  they 
were  in  the  world  without  the  true  God?"" 

And  thou  sayest,  they  can  give  no  scripture  account 
of  the  estate  they  are  now  in;  and  yet  dost  blame  them 
for  owning  the  scripture  fulfilled  in  them  in  these  things; 
but  that  nature  could  never  be  satisfied  with  Christ, 
nor  any  of  his,  nor  any  account  from  them ;  though  they 
could  not  convince  thera  of  sin,  yet  they  would  tempt, 
hate,  and  persecute  even  till  death,  if  they  had  power. 

Thou  wouldst  make  people  believe,  that  these  deny 
the  rule  of  the  gospel,  and  the  divine  inspiring  of  the 
holy  ghost,  the  infallible  rule  of  all  obedience  and  wor- 
ship, and  judment  of  all  actions:  but  come  to  trial,  and 
see,  whether  they  that  own  the  ligiit  of  Christ  in  spirit, 
and  follow  it,  or  they  that  call  it  an  ignis  fatuus,  deny 
the  rule  of  the  Gospel?  And  whether  they  that  wit- 
ness the  same  spirit,  and  the  inspiration  of  it,  without 
human  helps,  letter  or  learning,  as  the  saints  in  all 
ages  have  done,  every  one  in  their  measures,  of  that 
free  gift  given  to  profit  withal  ;'or  they  that  would  make 
people  believe,  that  all  such  divine  inspirations  and  gifts 
of  the  spirit  were  now  ceased,  and  now  the  letter  is  all 
the  spirit  they  must  look  for,  deny  the  divine  inspira- 


al  Thess.5,17.  2Thess.  1,11.  Mat.3,  11.  John  6,  53.  bRora.6,21.  c  Rom.  8 
5,6,7,9.    ICor.  12, 4,  to  the  14th  ver. 


(   155  ) 


tions  of  the  holy  ghost,  the  infallible  rule  of  all  obedi- 
ence and  worship, and  judge  of  all  actions? 

And  for  the  denying  of  ordinances,  thou  so  much 
chargest  them  with,  if  it  come  to  trial,  they  will  be 
found  only  to  deny  your  traditions,  temples,  and  human 
inventions,  never  commanded  by  Christ,  nor  practiced 
by  any  that  ever  he  sent,  and  Christ  never  annexed 
the  promise  of  his  presence  to  that  which  he  never 
commanded.^ 

Thou  art  offended,  that  they  should  be  set  free  from., 
or  have  sin  taken  away  from  them.^ 

Now  thou  shewest  plainly  whose  kingdom  thou 
wouldst  uphold  ;  and  thou  sayest,  that  by  denying  sin  to 
be  in  them,  they  overthrosv  repentance ;  but  here  thou 
shewest  thy  blindness:  for  he  that  forsakes  his  sin,  doth 
establish  his  repentance;  but  he  that  returns  unto  sin 
again,  overthrows  it. 

Thou  tellest  of  being  godded  with  God,  but  see  what 
spirit  that  is  thou  art  led  by,  who  darest  take  the  name 
of  God  so  scornfully  in  thy  mouth,  to  cast  as  a  derision 
upon  others/ 

Thou  art  offended,  that  those  should  witness  perfec- 
ion;  and  is  it  not  the  end  for  which  Ciirist  came  into 
the  world,  suffered,  and  sent  out  his  ministers  into  the 
world?'*  And  why  dost  thou  profess  Christ,  and  the 
scripture, and  thus  oppose  the  end  of  his  coming;  and 
what  he  did  work  in  his  saints,  which  is,  to  set  free  from 
sin,  and  bring  to  perfection,  which  Christ  commands, 
and  which  the  scriptures  witness  in  the  saints?  But 
there  is  nothing  mor^  opposed  by  the  devil  and  his  in- 
struments, than  to  have  the  work  of  man's  redemption 
perfected,*" 

Thou  sayest,  the  nrany  ridiculous  practices  of  their 
frantics,  would  be  too  mucli  to  relate. 

And  hereby  thou  wouldst  render  them  as  vile  as  thou 
canst  to  others;  but  the  ways  of  Christ  were  no  worse 
for  such  as  thou  saying  he  was  mad:  for  the  ways  of 
God  have  always  been  counted  madness  and  folly  to 
that  generation.    What  thou  intendest  in  that  word 

a  Mat.  15,9.  b  Rom.  6,2,  7, 18,22.  IJohn  3,  8.  9,10.  c  Heb.  6.  8.  2  Cor.  7,  10 
i'Heb  10.14.    Eph,4,  11,12,  1!^.    Col,l,28.    e  Ron-.  9.10  ,Tohnl7.23 


% 


(    156  ) 


luauy,  1  know  not;  for  where  nothing  is  mentioned  in 
particular,  I  cannot  answer.  But  for  those  thou  namest 
are  these: 

They  will  not  put  off  the  hat  to  any,  not  to  a  magis- 
trate. That  they  think  it  a  special  badge  of  their  pro- 
fession to  say  and  write  thou  and  thee,  and  by  no  nieans 
say  sir  or  master  to  any;  and  that  sonie  will  not  an- 
swer, or  speak  to  any  question:  and  thou  quarrelest  at 
some  for  forsaking  the  world,  and  giving  over  their  call- 
ings. 

I  answer;  when  wilt  thou  cease  wrangling  at  their 
obedience  of  the  commands  of  Christ,  witnessed  in  the 
scripture?  Hast  thou  nothing  among  all  those  many 
ridiculous  practices  thou  tellest  on,  to  charge  on  them, 
but  what  are  according  to  scripture?  Where  doth  God 
require  putting  off  hats,  or  worshipping  any  creature, 
magistrate  or  others?  And  why  may  it  not  be  a  badge, 
if  thou  so  callest  it,  of  their  profession,  to  use  the  scrip- 
ture language?  And  where  dost  thou  find  any  other" 
language  in  the  scripture,  but  thou  or  thee  to  a  par- 
ticular, whatsoever  he  was  that  was  spoken  to?^  And 
no  wonder  that  thou  stumblest,  that  any  should  witness 
the  authority  of  the  scripture,  when  its  taken  for  such 
an  offence  with  thee,  to  witness  the  outward  language, 
which  all  holy  men  of  God  have  used  in  scripture;  and 
yet  thou  callest  the  scripture  a  standing  rule ;  but  thou 
wilt  neither  make  it  th)  rule,  nor  suffer  them  that 
would. 

And  for  refusing  calling  master,  is  it  not  the  com- 
mand of  Christ?''  And  dost  thou  deserve  the  name  of 
a  christian,  who  wouldst  make  it  an  offence  to  obey 
his  commands,  because  it  crosseth  thy  pride? 

A\u\  for  their  silence;  is  there  not  a  time  to  speak, 
and  a  time  to  be  silent?  And,  was  not  Christ  asked 
many  questions,  and  answered  nothing.  And  doth  not 
the  scripture  say,  answer  not  a  fool  according  to  his  < 
folly.'  And  when  Christ  did  answer  the  tempters,  it 
was  either  with  silence,  or  contrary  to  what  they  would 
hriv.e  had. 

a  Mat.  4.  TO.   Jam.  2,1,9.    Psal.40,  4.   Joh,S,W.   John  5,  44.   b  Mat.  23,  7,  8, 10 
X  Eccl.  3,  7 


C   157  ) 


And  for  forsaking  the  world ;  must  not  all  that  will 
come  to  Christ  forsake  the  world?  And  were  they  not 
in  their  calling,  who  left  their  ships,  their  fathers,  and 
receit  of  custom,  and  wife,  and  children,  and  lands  to 
follow  the  commands  of  Christ?^  O  thou  enemy  of  all 
obedience  to  Christ!  Dost  thou  reproach  that  which  thy 
carnal  heart  will  not  suffer  thee  to  follow?  thou  shalt  find 
it  true,  that  whosoever  will  not  forsake  these  for  Christ's 
sake,  cannot  be  his  disciples;  but  it  seems  the  nearer  to 
Christ  that  any  come  in  obedience,  the  greater  is  thy 
malice  to  such,  thou  shewest  thy  generation.  And  art 
thou  not  ashamed  when  thou  hast  done,  to  charge  these 
with  disclaiming  scripture  light?  Thou  lovest  to  talk  of 
the  scriptures,  but  art  an  enemy  to  the  walking  in  them. 

Thou  sayest,  of  these  unclean  birds,  thou  hast  heard 
of  none  that  have  returned  to  the  ark. 

By  which,  if  thou  meanest  your  temples,  or  carnal 
ordinances,  I  tell  thee,  they  make  a  bad  return,  who 
have  known  the  Lord  in  spirit,  and  worshipped  in  spirit, 
if  they  return  into  forms  and  customs  again  to  be  made 
perfect. 

Thou  sayest,  separate  not  between  word  and  spirit, 
between  graces  and  ordinances;  but  the  apostle  doth 
separate  between  the  ministration  of  the  letter  and  of 
the  spirit and  he  that  cannot  distinguish  between  the 
graces  of  God's  spirit,  and  your  outward  forms  you  call 
ordinances,  he  knows  but  little  yet  as  he  ought  to  know, 

Thou  tellest  of  praying,  and  mourning  for  sin,  bewail- 
ing the  heart,  reading  the  word,  and  meditating  in  it 
night  and  day;  and  thou  sayest,  it's  impossible  for  such 
an  one  to  fall  into  this  condemnation  of  the  devil;  but  I 
tell  thee,  though  these  may  be  done,  and  in  as  much  zeal 
as  the  Pharisees  did  them ;  yet  if  there  be  pride,  envy, 
covetousness,  self-love,  exaltation,  slandering,  false  ac- 
cusing, deceit,  dissimulation  and  hypocrisy,  and  such 
like  which  are  the  works  of  the  devil,  all  thy  outward 
pretences  shall  not  keep  thee  from  the  condemnation  of 
the  devil;  for  it  is  that  which  leads  out  of  the  works  of 
the  devil,  that  brings  from  under  the  condemnation  of  the 
devil. 

a  Matt  ?7  12-    Luke  14.26.    Matt,  10.  37,   b  Gal  3.  ?.  2Co.r.3.*i 


(   15B  ) 


Thou  puttest  much  upon  church  ordinances,  but  see  if 
thou  art  distinguished  from  the  world,  otherwise  than  in 
notion  and  thy  own  conceit,  which  will  deceive  thee,  and 
all  the  covetous  oppressors  in  the  world  in  the  day  of 
trial:  therefore  prove  thyself,  if  thou  be  a  saint,  sancti- 
fied, come  out  of  the  world's  pleasures,  riches,  ways  and 
worships,  and  fashions,  as  they  were  whose  conditions 
thou  talkest  on  or  else  thy  crying  the  temple  of  the 
Lord,  will  but  stand  thee  in  little  stead:  which,  if  thou 
dealest  plainly  in,  and  lettest  truth  speak  in  thee,  thou 
wilt  see  a  great  distance  between  a  samt's  life  and  thine, 
as  between  a  saint's  spirit  and  thine,  which  is  plainh 
discovered. 

Thou  sayest.  It  is  observable,  that  where  churches 
are,  these  owls  dare  not  appear. 

These  reproachful  names  beseem  that  spirit  from 
whence  they  come;  but  which  of  them  have  refused  to 
come,  where  they  have  been  sent,  for  fear  of  your 
churches?  Or  what  corners  are  they  in,  except  it  be 
such  as  you  have  shut  up  in  prisons  or  dungeons?  Do 
not  these  that  are  at  liberty  meet  in  the  midst  of  com- 
mon streets  and  fields,  where  God  calls  them,  and  many 
of  the  most  conscientious  of  your  church  own  them, 
and  frequent  their  meetings;  others  who  have  the  fear  of 
<jod  before  them,  dare  not  persecute  them  in  word  or 
deed?  But  the  day  is  come  that  all  spirits  must  show 
themselves. 

Thou  advisest  to  do  all  according  to  scripture. 

ft  is  good  advice;  but  dost  thou,  that  teachest anoth- 
er, leach  thyself?^  Dost  thou  as  thou  wouldest  be  done 
by  in  all  things?  Dost  thou  forsake  pride  and  cove- 
tousness,  which  is  idolatry,  and  not  to  be  so  much  as 
named  among  saints?  Dost  not  thou  seek  great  things 
for  thyself?  Having  food  and  raiment,  art  thou  there- 
with content?'  Art  thou  out  of  love  with  the  world, 
which  is  enmity  with  God?  Dost  thou  not  take  thought 
for  tomorrow  for  food  and  raiment?  Hast  thou  cruci- 
fied the  flesh,  with  the  affections  and  lusts,  and  put  off 
the  body  of  sin?    Art  thou  not  a  scorner,  reviler  and 

aJudel.    Johnl7.  9,14.   bMat.7,12.   cJer.45,5.  James4,4. 


(  159  ; 


talse  accuser?  Dost  thou  feed  the  hungry,  clothe  the 
naked,  and  let  the  oppressed  go  free?  Hast  thou  forsa- 
ken all  to  follow  Christ?  Art  thou  hated  of  all  men  for 
the  name  of  Christ?  Hast  thou  denied  to  be  called 
master?  Art  thou  come  to  yea  and  nay  in  thy  common 
occasions?  Dost  thou  love  the  brethren  with  the  same 
love  Christ  hath  loved  his  withal?  Art  thou  set  free 
from  thy  sin  and  rash  passions?  Dost  thou  hold  thy 
faith  in  a  pure  conscience,  void  of  offence  towards  God 
and  man?'  Dost  thou  walk  as  Christ  walked?  And 
many  other  the  commands  of  God,  set  down  in  scripture, 
in  which  the  saints  walked,  as  is  plain  in  scripture; 
which  if  thou  walkest  in,  there  thou  dost  all  according 
to  the  scripture:  but  if  thou  takest  but  some  part  of 
scripture,  given  out  of  the  holy  ghost,  and  pervert  the 
same  to  fit  thy  form,  and  please  thy  own  will,  and  not 
cross  thy  lusts,  profits  and  greatness  in  the  world;  and 
for  the  rest,  eitiier  let  them  stand  by,  or  wrest  them  by 
subtil  meaning  and  exposition,  to  bring  them  to  bend  to 
thy  disobedient  mind/  Shall  not  God  find  thee  out,  and 
plague  thee  for  thy  adding  and  diminishing,  altering  and 
changing  that,  which  was  perfectly  given  forth  to  be 
read  and  fulfilled  as  it  is? 

And  whereas  thou  wouldst  change  the  light  of  Christ, 
shining  into  the  conscience,  which  teacheth  into  one- 
ness, to  be  the  cause  of  all  the  errors  in  the  world,  it  i& 
false;  for  the  light  of  Christ  is  but  one,  and  all  that  are 
led  by  it,  walk  after  Christ  as  he  walked:  but  the  cause 
of  all  such  errors  comes  from  the  serpent's  subtil  twi- 
ning and  wresting  the  scriptures,  every  one  for  their  own 
forms,  ends  and  carnal  traditions ;'  but  none  of  them  will 
own  it,  to  live  the  life  of  it  as  it  is,  and  so  have  it  fulfilled 
in  them,  as  it  was  in  those  that  spoke  it  forth. 

Thou  sayest,  be  sure  the  Christ,  the  faith,  the  hope, 
the  baptism,  the  worship  be  that  which  is  in  scripture. 

Now  that  Christ,  which  the  saints  witnessed  in  scrip- 
ture, is  the  light  of  the  world,  given  to  enlighten  the 
gentiles,  and  lighteneth  every  one  that  cometh  into  the 
world ;  which  light  is  in  the  saints,  and  whosoever  walks 


aJainesl.27.  Mat.  15.  10, 11.  &  23,  8. 10.  &  5,  37.  Rom.  6.  18.  1  Tim.  1.  5,  19.— 
Acts  24 16.   1  John  2.6.   b 2  Pet.  3.16.   Rev.  22. 18.   c  Rom.  8.  14,   d  John  8.  12, 1,9 

Vl.  7 


(   160  ) 


in  it,  hath  fellowship  with  God,  and  one  with  another, 
and  thereby  are  cleansed  from  all  sin,  in  which  light  all 
the  holy  scriptures  were  spoken  forth:  which  light  thou 
deniest  to  be  equal  with  the  scripture,  but  scornest  and 
reproachest  with  nick-names,  as  Ignis  fatuus,  a  natural 
light,  making  it  plainly  appear,  that  thou  art  one  of  those 
the  scriptures  speak  on,  who  hate  the  light. 

And  the  scripture  faith  is  that  by  which  the  saints 
overcome  the  world,  sin  and  the  devil,  and  gets  the  vic- 
tory:^ which  faith  thou,  in  this  paper  canst  not  own,  but 
deniest,  and  wouldest  reproach  it  in  them,  in  whom  it 
hath  overcome  sin,  and  brought  up  to  perfection. 

And  he  that  hath  the  scripture  hope,  purifies  himself, 
even  as  he  is  pure. 

And  the  baptism  of  Christ  is  with  the  holy  ghost  and 
with  fire;  which  thou  in  thy  paper  speakest  scornfully  of 
in  others  that  own  it.'' 

And  the  scripture  worship  is  not  in  idols  temples,  forms 
and  letters,  but  in  spirit  and  in  truth;'  and  God  seeks 
such  to  worship  him. 

And  thou  rankest  up  a  number  of  ranters,  notionists, 
papists,  and  such  like,  that  are  most  odious  to  people, 
and  with  these  thou  puttest  in  those  called  Quakers, 
and  tellest  of  their  opinions;  but  those  thou  so  callest, 
deny  all  their  opinions,  and  live  in  the  light  and  prac- 
tice of  the  scriptures;  but  thou,  when  thou  art  proved, 
wilt  be  found  more  in  opinion  than  practice:  and  thou 
that  deniest  the  infallible  spirit  to  be  in  thee,  art  but 
in  opinions  at  the  best. 

And  for  the  purgatory  thou  speakest  on,  thou  that 
sayest,  none  can  ever  be  perfected,  and  set  free  from  sin 
whilst  they  are  here,  thou  talkest  like  them  that  own  a 
purgatory ;  but  they  who  are  redeemed,  and  set  free  from 
sin  by  the  lamb  of  God,  own  it  not,  but  have  received 
the  earnest  of  their  eternal  inheritance. 

And  for  the  word  baptism,  which  is  with  water,*^  (but 
not  that  of  the  spirit,  ihe  answer  of  a  good  conscience) 
and  observing  of  holy  days,  first  clear  thyself,  and  then 
find  fault  with  them  that  deserve. 


a  John  3.20.    lJobn5.  4,5.   blJohnS.  3.   Mat.  3. 11.   c  John  4.24.  d  1  Pet.  3,21 


(   161  ) 


Thou  talkest  of  pitying  and  praying  for  these;  but 
ihe  spirit  of  scorning,  slancleritig  and  deceit,  and  the 
spirit  of  pity  and  prayer,  cannot  stand  in  one ;  and  where 
the  iii  st  is,  I  cannot  own  the  latter  to  be. 

Thou  sayest,  praise  the  Lord^  that  hath  delivered  out 
of  the  snares  of  satan;  and  it  is  true,  they  wlio  are  so, 
can  delight  in  nothing  else  but  praises,  but  whilst  thou 
committest  sin,  thou  art  in  his  snares,  and  a  servant  to 
him.' 

Thou  sayest,  work  out  your  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling,'  but  scornest  quaking,  and  sayest,  it  is  from 
the  power  of  the  devil ;  but  is  in  this  as  in  all  thy  paper, 
thou  wilt  own  the  scripture  in  notion  and  letter,  but 
scornest  and  persecutest  the  power  and  practice  of  it. 

And  now  friend,  a  word  to  thy  present  condition,  as 
thou  art  revealed.    Thou  art  in  the  world,  in  thy  fleshy 
will,  pride  of  heart,  and  rash  anger,  exalted  above  thy 
;   brethren,  and  the  spirit  of  persecution  acts  in  thee; 
I  thou  deniest  to  walk  answerable  to  a  light  in  tliy  con- 
I   science,  which  would  lead  thee  out  of  these  things  up 
'   into  obedience,  love  and  meekness?    And  thy  love  to 
the  deeds  of  darkness,  makes  thee  hate  the  light.  I 
speak  to  that  in  thy  conscience,  which  shall  eternally 
witness  me  at  the  great  day  of  the  Lord,  whea  all  se- 
crets shall  be  laid  open,  where  thou  shalt  account  for 
all  thy  hard  speeches,  against  the  spirit  of  God  in  his 
people. 

Wherefore  repent, and  take  heed  how  thou  speakest 
evil  of  the  things  thou  knowest  not,  or  oppose  the  spirit- 
ual kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  consciences  of  his  own 
poor  despised  little  flock ;  but  turn  in  thy  high  mind,  and 
see  what  thou  hast  been  doing,  and  who  thou  strivest 
against:  if  he  fall  upon  thee,  he  will  grind  thee  to  pow- 
der. Let  not  thy  high  mind  scorn  that  which  may  be 
lor  thy  eternal  good.  Search  the  scriptures,  and  see  if 
any  of  the  holy  men  of  God  ever  acted  such  things. — 
Now  thou  hast  time,  prize  it,  lest  thou  harden  thyself 
against  God,  and  so  be  for  destruction  eternally.  Thou 
knowest  not  what  spirit  thou  art  of;  thy  name  I  know 

21 


(    14a  ; 


not,  but  where  thon  livest  I  know,  and  what  spirit  acts 
in  thee ;  Oh,  that  thou  ftnewest  in  this  thy  day,  the  things 
that  belong  to  thy  eternal  peace! 

James  Nayler, 


A  CALL  TO  3IAGISTRATES,  MINISTERS,  LAWYERS,  AND 
PEOPLE  TO  REPENTANCE. 

O  MAN  and  woman,  how  art  thou  fallen  from  thy  Ma- 
ker, and  from  the  estate  wherein  thou  wast  created?^ — 
And  how  dost  thou  lie  in  the  loss  and  in  the  fall?  How 
long  will  it  be  erV  thou  enquirest  after  the  Lord,  who  is 
holy  and  pure?  And  you  people  of  England,  how  long 
will  it  be  e'er  you  leave  off  your  outside  formal  custom- 
ary worships,  and  seek  the  Lord  in  truth  of  heart,  bring- 
ing forth  fruits  of  righteousness  and  holiness,  according 
to  what  you  profess;^  that  the  Lord,  who  hates  dissem- 
bling, may  be  honoured  not  in  words,  but  in  life,  power 
and  practice?  Doth  not  your  actions  declare  against 
you  before  men  and  angels,  that  you  are  out  of  the  way, 
and  in  the  curse,  children  of  the  night,  and  bring  forth 
the  fruits  of  darkness  and  death,  and  not  unto  God?" — 
And  you  who  say,  you  are  the  teachers  of  the  nation, 
how  long  will  it  be  e'er  you  look  at  your  own  ways?  Is 
not  all  manner  of  filthiness  amongst  you,  which  you 
should  lead  the  people  out  of  ?'^  Is  there  not  among  you 
drunkenness,  gluttony,  whoredom,  and  sporting,  sitting 
down  to  eat  and  to  drink,  and  rising  up  to  play:  swear- 
ing, lying,  backbiting,  false  accusing,  railing,  slandering, 
contention,  strife  and  envy?  Yea,  are  not  the  best  of 
you  given  to  pride  and  covetousness,  which  is  idolatry; 
fulness  of  bread,  and  abundance  of  idleness?  Are  not 
you  hirelings,  and  teach  for  the  fleece?  Do  not  you 
contend  for  money  with  your  own  hearers,  and  sue  them 
at  law  for  it;  yea,  although  they  cannot  satisfy  your  de- 
mands, without  sinning  against  the  light  in  their  own 
conscience,  and  so  sin  against  God  ?'  Are  you  not  bit- 
ter, and  persecutors  of  any  that  come  to  discover  your 
lewdness,  crying  out  to  the  magistrate  to  uphold  you  in 

a  Gen.  1.26,  27.  bRom.  1.2.  3.  cJer.2iJ'.  d  Isa.  56, 10, 11.  Jer.6, 13,14.  Exod. 
3,4.    e  Isa.  9.  15,16. 


(  162  ) 


•  our  beastly  ways,  and  to  stop  the  mouths  of  all  thase 
whom  God  hath  sent  to  witness  against  you?  And 
many  more  works  of  this  nature  is  amongst  you,  which 
the  pure  all-seeing  God  hath  showed  unto  his  people, 
to  be  amongst  you,  and  therefore  it  is  lhat  they  come  out 
from  you,  lest  they  partake  with  you  of  your  sins  and 
plagues.  But  are  not  you  blind,  leaders  of  the  blind, 
when  you  neither  see  these  to  be  the  works  of  darkness, 
nor  those  that  follow  you.  Woe  unto  you  that  devour 
souls  for  money  and  gain, the  day  of  your  account  is  at 
hand.    O  repent,  the  blood  of  souls  is  upon  you.  Did 

ver  God  send  forth  such  a  generation  of  teachers 
imongst  his  people,  who  are  not  taught  themselves  by 
him  to  forsake  such  ways  as  these  which  you  walk  in?* 
How  are  you  examples  to  the  people  to  follow?  The 
leaders  of  this  people  hath  caused  them  to  err,  and 
they  that  are  led  by  them  are  destroyed;  and  hereby 
priest  and  people  are  at  a  distance  from  the  Lord.^ 

O  you  rulers  of  the  people,  who  are  set  up  to  judge 
between  a  man  and  his  neighbour,  ought  ruot  you  to 
judge  for  God,  and  not  for  man?  Ought  not  you  to  be 
men  fearing  God,  and  hating  covetousness,  not  judging 
for  gifts  and  rewards?    Ought  not  you  to  countenance 

ind  encourage  them  that  do  well,  and  be  a  terror  to  them 
.vhich  do  evil?'  Justice  is  so.  And  he  that  is  of  God, 
and  bears  his  sword,  turns  the  edge  of  it  against  all  sin 
and  wickedness,  injustice  and  oppression,  and  so  sets  up 
justice  and  judgment  in  the  gates,  that  the  poor  may  be 
delivered  from  him  that  is  too  mighty  for  him,  and  that 
the  cause  of  the  fatherless,  widow  and  stranger  may  not 
fall,  but  hath  an  ear  open  to  the  cries  of  the  poor  and 
helpless,  who  hath  but  little  money,  and  few  friends; 
that  a  poor  man  may  not  be  afraid  to  appear  in  a  good 
cause,  against  the  greatest  oppressor  in  the  nation/ 

And  ought  not  you  to  judge  without  respect  to  per- 
sons, or  without  seeking  respect  to  your  own  persons, 
worship  or  honour  from  men,  but  only  to  advance  jus- 
tice, equity  and  righteousness,  which  is  of  God,  that  so 

a  Exod.  18.21,  22.  Rora.13,3,4.  Micha  3.  11.  Prov.21.3.  Isaiah  1.23, 24.  Jer. 
5.28.  I9a.3.14.  Jaraesl.  2,8.9.  bJobl3,10.  cLuke20,21.  Prov.28,21.  Exod 
18.22.   Rom.  13, 3,  4,  5.   d  Pro  v.  29,2, 14.    Prov.lO.*.    Isa.  5,  4,  7. 


C  164  J 


you  n)ay  be  honoured  by  the  Lord;*  for  true  humility  is 
honour,  and  he  that  honours  the  Lord,  him  will  he  hon- 
our: and  such  liavc  been  honoured  in  all  ages,  though 
they  never  sought  it  from  men.  And  when  justice  bears 
rule,  the  righteous  rejoice,  and  the  land  is  in  peace,  and 
wickedness  is  made  to  blush  and  be  ashamed,  and  the 
wicked  are  scattered  from  about  such  rulers."  O  you 
that  rule  in  the  nation,  is  it  so?  Nay,  is  it  not  quite  con- 
trary? O  what  a  height  is  iniquity  ^rown  unto?  Doth 
not  all  manner  of  sin  abound  even  in  open  streets;'  as 
swearing,  drunkenness,  covetousness,  and  oppression? 
Can  you  pass  on  the  streets,  and  not  hear  the  cries  of 
it?  and  although  there  have  been  laws  for  restraining 
of  some  of  those  abominations,  yet  how  are  they  slight- 
ed, so  that  poor  people  get  not  the  benefit  by  them  ?  Nay, 
is  it  not  too  plain,  that  they  who  should  restrain  others, 
are  many  of  them  guilty  of  the  same  themselves?  Shall 
not  the  Lord  visit  for  these  things?*^  The  cries  of  the 
poor  oppressed  ones  are  come  before  the  Lord,  and  he 
is  risen  to  avenge  him,  of  him  that  is  too  strong  for  him. 

O  when  will  you  see?  Hath  not  want  of  justice  cast 
kings  from  their  thrones,  and  overturned  nations?'  And 
is  not  the  Lord  overturning^  overturning^  overturning? — 
O  return  to  the  Lord,  and  have  a  care  to  use  your  power 
so,  as  to  make  a  way  for  purity  and  holiness,  that  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  may  be  set  up,  and  reign,  and  that 
the  seed  of  God  may  have  free  liberty  to  come  out  of 
6odom  and  Egypt,  to  serve  the  Lord,  without  fear  of 
man, out  of  all  forms, and  customs,  and  magician  imagina- 
tions, into  the  power  and  purity  of  the  spirit.  Cease 
from  persecuting  and  imprisoning  the  innocent,  for  cry- 
ing out  against  the  abominations  of  the  times,  and  let- 
ting the  guilty  go  free,  least  the  decree  go  forth  against 
you,  and  the  wrath  of  God  burn  like  fire,  and  there  be 
none  to  quench  it/  Hath  God  put  power  into  your  hands 
to  oppose  his  own  work?  And  you  lofty-  ones  of  the 
earth,  who  have  gotten  much  of  the  creation  into  your 
hands,  and  have  thereby  set  your  nests  on  high,  and  are 
become  Lords  over  your  brethren.    Were  the  creatures 


a  James  2,  9.  b  Prov.  15,  33.  Prov.  22,4.  c  Isa,2,  21.  d  Isa.  o,28,29.  e  1  Chron. 
16,21,22.    fJer.  4.4. 


(   165  ) 


made  for  that  end,  to  set  your  hearts  upon  them,  to  heap 
together  out  of  the  reach  of  the  poor  and  needy;'  and 
he  who  can  get  the  greatest  share,  should  hecome  the 
greatest  man;  and  all  that  have  little,  shall  bow  down 
and  worship  him,  and  so  break  the  command  of  God, 
which  saith,  thou  shalt  not  bow  down  nor  worship  any 
creature  in  heaven  or  in  earth Are  yon  not  fallen 
from  the  estate  wherein  you  were  created?  for  it  was 
not  so  from  the  beginning;  for  he  who  made  all  things 
good,  made  all  men  of  one  mould,  and  one  blood,  to 
dwell  on  the  face  of  the  earth;  and  gave  them  power 

||  over  the  work  of  his  hands,  not  to  heap  them  together, 
to  set  your  hearts  upon  them,  but  to  use  them  to  his  ser- 
vice, who  made  all  things  for  himself,  and  the  wicked  for 
the  day  of  evil.' 

You  that  live  in  your  pride,  painting  yourselves  in 
your  costly  apparel,  inventing  new  ways  and  fashions, 

i  to  make  you  seem  glorious  in  the  carnal  eyes  of  others, 
that  they  may  worship  you  ;'^  for  this  is  that  which  the 
heathen  worship,  who  know  not  God;  and  this  is  that 

j  you  look  for,  which  angels  dare  not  take  to  themselves;" 
but  Haman-like,  you  rage  if  you  have  it  not,  and  bear 
an  evil  eye  to  them,  who  cannot  give  that  to  you,  wdiich 
belongs  to  God  alone/  But  the  hand  of  the  Lord  shall 
be  upon  all  the  idols  of  the  world  ;^  you  have  forgot 
that  you  were  but  dust,  and  must  to  dust,  and  God  will 

||  honour  himself,  in  laying  all  honours  in  the  dust,  which 
men  seek  to  themselves,  and  is  not  of  God  alone.''  You 
lustful  ones,  which  live  of  the  fat  of  the  earth,""'  whose 

I  care  is  only  to  satisfy  the  flesh,  and  the  lusts  thereof, 
your  curious  devised  dishes.  Dives-like;  is  this  the  end 
for  which  you  were  made?"'  You  are  fitted  for  destruc- 
tion, your  day  is  corning,  the  cry  of  your  iniquity  is  gone 
up  before  the  Lord ;"  the  cries  of  the  poor  which  you 
have  oppressed,  whose  labours  you  have  spent  upon  your 

I  lusts,  the  rust  of  your  gold  and  silver  doth  witness 
against  you.  Repent,  repent,  cast  off  your  gorgeous 
apparel,  and  gird  you  with  mourning;  let  your  songs  of 

I a  Psal.  62, 9, 10.  bExodns20,5.  cGen.  1,31.  Gen.1,26.  Prov.  16,4.  d  Isa.  29, 
1.  e  Gal.  4,8.  Acts  17,23.  f  Esther  3,  5.  g  Isa.  2,  18.  h  Paal.  7,  5.  John  5,  44, 
aa  Ezek.  34,3.   bb  Neheni.  8, 10.   cc  James  5,  4,  5, 


I 


(  166  ) 


music  be  turned  into  howling;  your  banqueting  and 
feasting,  into  fasting,  for  the  Lord  is  wrath  with  you, 
and  the  fire  is  begun  already.'  Break  off  your  sins  by 
repentance,  and  your  iniquities  by  shewing  mercy  unto 
the  poor ;  and  turn  to  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart,  from 
all  your  evil  doings,  if  so  be  that  you  may  find  mercy; 
that  you  may  be  hid  in  the  day  of  his  fierce  wrath, 
which  is  to  come  upon  all  the  workers  of  iniquity:''  for 
he  will  bring  down  the  mighty  from  their  seats,  that  he 
may  exalt  them  of  low  degree.  O  take  heed  how  you 
contend  with  him ;  did  ever  any  do  it  and  prosper?  shall 
the  clay  strive  with  the  potter?  If  befall  upon  you, he 
will  break  you  to  powder.* 

And  you  lawyers,  ought  not  you  to  plead  the  cause  of 
equity,  between  man  and  man  for  equity  sake,  without 
respect  to  yourselves  or  others,  but  only  to  truth  itself, 
that  a  just  cause  may  be  owned  in  whomsoever  it  con- 
cerns? but  is  not  the  justest  cause  sure  to  fall,  if  the 
party  have  not  money  to  satify  your  demands,  which 
are  many  times  very  unreasonable;'^  and  you  who  should 
instruct  people  in  the  ways  of  truth  and  peace,  do  not 
you  by  your  wisdom  teach  them  lies,  and  strife?  Do 
not  you  advise  your  plaintiffs,  as  you  call  them,  to  de- 
clare in  bills,  things  that  are  not  true,  and  make  small 
offences  seem  very  great  by  false  glosses;  for  say  you, 
we  may  declare  what  we  will,  and  prove  what  we  can,' 
so  that  you,  and  they  who  you  act  for,  know  before 
hand,  that  scarce  one  thing  of  ten  can  be  proved,  nei- 
ther is  true?  Is  this  the  way  to  make  up  the  breach, 
and  preserve  peace  and  truth  amongst  people?  O  mis- 
erable fall  from  God,  when  that  law  which  should  be- 
fore preserve  in  peace,  is  used  to  aggravate  offences 
beyond  trruth,  and  so  make  differences  greater.  And 
do  not  you  delight  to  fish  in  troubled  waters?  and  the 
greater  dissention  amongst  the  people,  the  more  is  your 
gain.  Are  not  your  purses  filled,  and  your  estates 
raised  in  the  ruins  of  the  people?^  And  are  not  those 
laws  which  ought  to  be  used  to  preserve  people  from 
oppression,  by  abusing,  made  the  undoing  of  whole  fam- 

a  .\mos8,3, 10.  bZeph.2,3.  cJer.18,6.  dlTim.6,10.  e  Luke  11,  46,  &  62.  ( 
Ezek.18,12.   Mai.  3,5. 


(   167  ) 


ilies,  impoverishing  towns  and  countries.  The  law,  as 
it  is  now  used,  is  scarce  serviceable  for  any  other  end, 
but  for  the  envious  man,  who  hath  much  money  to  re- 
venge  himself  of  his  poor  neighbours,  which  may  be 
never  did  him  wrong.*  Is  there  any  appearing  for  the 
poor  against  the  rich,  although  his  cause  be  just,  but 
by  deceit,  delays,  and  expences,  the  remedy  is  worse 
than  the  disease,  so  that  they  are  made  to  sigh  and 
groan  under  oppression,  and  their  cries  are  come  into 
the  ears  of  the  just  God,  who  is  now  arising  to  avenge 
them 

And  now,  woe  to  you  that  seem  to  be  easers  of  peo- 
ples' burdens,  but  make  their  oppressions  greater,  even 
grievous  to  be  borne;'  and  by  increasing  of  contentions, 
have  taken  away  the  key  of  knowledge:  for  what 

►  knowledge  hath  the  workers  of  iniquity,  who  devour 
the  poor  to  satisfy  their  own  lusts?  the  woe  is  upon 
you,  for  the  just  God  hath  shaken  his  hand  at  your  dis- 
honest gain woe  unto  him  that  coveteth  with  an  evil 
covetousness  to  his  house,  that  he  may  set  his  nest  on 

f  high.  Woe  unto  him  that  builds  his  house  by  oppression, 
and  establisheth  the  city  with  iniquity;  how  are  you 
gone  out  of  the  right  way,  and  how  is  the  cause  of  the 
poor  bought  and  sold  for  money.*  Were  you  thus  made 
at  the  first,  are  you  not  in  the  inventions,  is  this  the  end 
for  which  we  came  into  the  world,  are  you  not  in  the 

I  earth,  and  in  the  fall,  and  in  the  curse,  and  at  a  distance 
from  the  pure  God,  who  is  wholly  and  just,  and  loves 
righteousness.  How  long  will  it  be  ere  you  will  enquire 
after  the  right  way,  or  loath  yourselves  for  your  filthi- 
ness.  O  repent,  return  to  the  Lord,  from  whence  you 
are  fallen,  for  what  will  you  do  in  the  end  thereof.^ 
Shall  not  justice  from  on  high  take  hold  on  you,  who 
have  slighted  justice  upop  earth.  Your  day  is  at  hand; 
shall  not  the  judge  of  all  the  earth  do  right.  Why  will 
you  destroy  your  souls  for  money,  and  what  will  you 
give  in  exchange  for  your  souls,  or  shall  all  your  gain 
i  redeem  you.  Do  you  act  according  to  the  law  of  God, 
I  which  saith,  thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself/ 

I     alsa.1,17.   bUa.  5,  5.   c  Jam.  5,4,   d  Heb.  2, 9.   e  Jer.  22,13,    f  Ezek.  18,  30, 
Rev.  2,  5.   gMat.  19,16. 


i    168  ) 


Do  not  you  prize  the  accursed  things,  before  the  love  oi 
God,  or  your  neighbour.    Let  your  practice  witness. 

And  you  people  of  the  nation,  that  have  seen  the 
hand  of  God  against  the  prince  and  people  for  these 
and  the  like  abominations,  anc-  you  yourselves  are  es- 
caped, as  brands  plucked  out  of  the  fire;^  have  you  at 
all  turned  to  him  who  hath  smitten  you,  or  are  you 
bettered  by  correction,  or  have  you  made  your  peace 
with  the  Almighty.  Although  you  have  seen  war,  and 
the  sword  reaching  to  the  very  soul,  are  you  not  every 
one  to  your  own  power,  gathering  fuel  to  that  fire,  which 
hath  been  burning  in  the  land,  and  hath  consumed 
thousands,  which  should  have  been  as  a  warning  unto 
you,  who  are  escaped,  to  return  to  the  Lord  from  the 
evil  of  your  doings;^  but  are  not  you  still  making  the 
breach  wider  between  God  and  the  nation,  as  though 
you  were  left  for  no  other  end,  but  to  fill  up  the  measure 
of  iniquity  that  is  yet  behind,  that  the  just  God  may 
sweep  the  land  with  the  besom  of  destruction.  O  when 
will  you  cease  to  provoke  the  Lord  by  your  sins.' 
Where  is  your  redeemer  you  have  professed  so  long  in 
words  and  forms.  Can  you  witness  him  in  your  works, 
and  what  hath  he  redeemed  you  from.  For  saith  he, 
why  call  you  me  Lord,  and  do  not  the  things  which  I 
say.'^  Is  he  your  Lord,  and  you  servants  to  all  manner 
of  filthiness.  And  notwithstanding  that  you  have  seen 
his  wonders  in  the  nation,  yet  do  not  you  exceed  all  that 
ever  went  before  you,  in  pride,  covetousness,  drunken- 
ness, swearing,  envying,  quarrelling,  backbiting,  slan- 
dering, false  accusing,  self-love,  and  deceit  in  all  man- 
ner of  merchandize,  and  trading;  false  weights  and 
measures,  sayings,  protestings  one  towards  another,  in 
your  bargaining  speaking  things  that  are  not  true,  and 
hereby  to  overreach  your  brethren,  and  get  dishonest 
gain.*  How  many  false  oaths,  and  idol  words  arc  spent 
about  every  bargain  in  your  markets,  and  open  streets, 
without  blushing,  or  being  ashamed;  yea,  it  is  able  to 
break  the  hearts  of  any  who  know  the  pure  God,  to 
know  it,  and  hear  it;'  for  it  is  come  to  such  a  height  of 

aJnde  23.   Zech.  3,  2.   bHo9.14,l2,   c  ha.  14,  23.   d  Luke  6,  49.   e  Mich,  f 
i  P»al.31,l7. 


(  169  ) 


deceit,  that  none  can  trust  his  brother;  for  lying,  swear- 
ing, and  for-swearing, it  abounds  in  the  nation;  and  yet 
you  will  profess  yourselves  to  be  the  members  of  Jesus 
Christ:  and  had  Jesus  Christ  ever  such  a  body  as  this; 
nay,  all  that  are  members  of  him,  are  of  one  heart,  and 
one  soul.'' 

And  you  talk  of  a  communion  of  saints;  had  ever 
the  saints  such  a  communion  as  this,  to  defraud  one 
another  for  money;''  and  profess  a  redeemer,  and  are 
servants  to  the  devil,  and  your  own  lusts,  in  all  the  mo- 
tions and  temptations  thereof,  and  are  led  captive  at  his 
will.  But  what  redemption  is  this  you  witness,  so  long 
as  sin,  the  partition  wall,  is  between  God  and  you, 
stands  still  whole  in  your  wills;  5^ou  will  be  drunk,  swear, 
lie,  and  commit  adultery,  dissemble,  and  satisfy  your 
lusts  in  all  things,  and  say  we  are  redeemed  to  commit 
all  these  abominations,  and  live  in  them,  under  a  pre- 
tence of  a  profession,  and  going  to  the  idols  temple  once 
a  week:'  did  ever  Jesus  Christ  redeem  such  a  people, 
or  dwell  in  such  a  people.  Those  whom  he  hath  re- 
deemed, he  hath  freed  from  the  servitude  of  sin,  by 
separating  them  from  sin,  and  reconciling  them  to  God, 
i  from  whence  they  are  fallen  by  sin;  for  God  and  sin 
cannot  dwell  in  one.  And  to  such  he  saith,  be  ye  holy, 
for  I  am  holy:"^  and  as  he  is  the  lamb  of  God  who  ta- 
keth  away  the  sins  of  the  world:  now  see,  how  is  your 
sins  taken  away,  when  the  kingdom  of  darkness  doth 
wholly  rule  in  you,  and  leads  you  into  works  and  ways 
of  darkness.  Are  you  reconciled  to  God,  and  have 
you  fellowship  with  him.  Are  not  you  yet  strangers  to 
him,  and  worship  an  unknown  God  ;  for  he  that  commits 
sin,  hath  not  seen  him,  neither  known  him,  and  so  wor- 
ship they  know  not  what,  in  formal  and  superstitious 
worships.^ 

O  blind  people,  who  have  eyes  and  see  not,*^  how  long 
will  it  be  ere  you  turn  /our  eyes  within,  and  look  into 
your  own  standing,  or  rather  into  yuur  fall,  and  how 
you  sigh  under  the  curses  and  wrath  of  the  Almighty; 
and  how  far  you  are  from  purity  and  holiness,  and  that 

a  Phil.  1/:?.   b  Jer.  f?2,  29.    c  Rev.  21,  27.    d  John  2,29.    e  I  John  3,  6.  fPsal. 
11j,  5 


(    170  ) 


estate  wherein  you  were  made  in  the  image  of  God;' 
and  wait  to  see  that  renewed  in  you,  and  you  brought 
up  out  of  the  fall  and  a  separation,  to  be  one  with  God 
and  Christ,  tiiat  you  may  know  what  you  worship,  and 
find  acceptance?  But  are  you  not  so  far  from  that,  that 
if  the  image  of  God  seem  to  be  renewed  in  any,  and  they 
begin  to  turn  from  these,  and  the  like  abominations,  to 
serve  the  living  God  in  purity  and  holiness;  and  they 
refuse  to  partake  with  you  in  your  pride,  covetousness, 
drunkenness,  and  excess  of  riot,  and  deny  your  vain 
heathenish  customs,  fashions,  and  worships  ;\are  not 
such  objects  of  your  envy  and  hatred?  and  are  they 
not  abused  by  you,  buffetted,  scorned,  mocked,  stopped, 
and  called  most  reproachful  names,  even  in  ways  and 
markets,  and  in  your  streets,  when  you  meet  with  them, 
though  they  never  speak  word  to  you,  but  bear  your 
reproaches  with  patience?  So  that  he  that  departs 
from  iniquity,  makes  himself  a  prey  to  this  generation.'' 

Do  not  you  plainly  shew  forth  the  serpent's  seed  in 
you,  which  is  at  enunty  with  the  seed  of  God,  wherev- 
er it  is  brought  forth ;  and  so  you  shew  yourselves  to  be 
actuated  by  the  devil,  who  was  a  murderer  from  the  begin- 
ning.   And  when  the  judgments  and  wrath  of  God  ap- 
pears in  the  land,  is  it  not  because  of  your  iniquities? 
Do  not  you  like  wicked  Ahab,  charge  an  innocent  peo- 
ple, who  cannot  partake  with  you  in  your  wickedness;*^ 
declaring,  that  those  who  are  harmless,  to  be  a  cause  of 
troubles  in  the  nation,  and  say,  they  are  about  to  raise 
a  new  war;  but  never  look  at  your  own  abominations, 
for  which  the  land  mourns,  and  the  wrath  of  God  is 
against  it,  ready  to  destroy  it,  but  still  harden  your 
hearts  in  your  wickedness?'    And  as  though  all  this 
were  too  little,  have  you  not  added  this  wickedness  now, 
that  God  in  mercy  hath  called  some  out  of  all  these  evil 
ways,  and  sent  them  to  declare  against  these  abomina- 
tions which  the  world  lives  in,*  both  priests  and  people, 
not  only  in  word,  but  in  life  and  practice,  and  hath  given 
his  power  to  go  along  with  them/  and  are  not  these 
called  by  you  devils,  witches,  sorcerers,  conjurers,  Je- 

aOen.  1,27.   b2Pet.  4.  3,1.   cipa.  59,  ir>,   dJohn  8,  44.   e  Hos  4,  3.   f  2  PeU  I 
4,  5,&T6. 


(  171  ) 


suits,  and  the  like?  Are  they  not  some  beaten,  some 
stoned,  others  shamefully  entreated  and  imprisoned? 
Are  they  not  brought  before  rulers,  and  governors,  for 
the  confessing  the  name  of  Christ?  And  all  this  you 
do  unto  them,  not  for  any  evil  you  can  charge  upon 
them;  but  for  the  name  of  Christ  and  his  power  that 
goes  along  with  them,  in  shaking  down  the  kingdom  of 
the  serpent,  and  bringing  his  elect  out  of  all  the  hea- 
thenish customs  and  worships,  to  worship  God  in 
spirit,  and  him  only,  and  not  men,  nor  the  idols  of  the 
world/ 

And  now,  are  you  not  blind,  who  have  professed  the 
scriptures  so  long,  and  cannot  see  them  fulfilled  now  in 
this  generation?  Are  not  those  of  the  same  brood,  who 
called  the  good  man  of  the  house  Belzebub?''  and  how 
can  they  do  less  to  them  of  his  household?  Do  not 
this  generation  beat  some,  stone  and  shamefully  entreat 
others,  that  bear  witness  to  the  heir?'  And  hath  not 
Christ  said,  ye  shall  be  hated  of  men  for  my  names 
sake.  They  shall  speak  all  manner  of  evil  of  you  false- 
ly; they  shall  separate  out  of  your  company,  reproach 
you,  and  cast  out  your  name  as  evil;  and  you  shall  be 
brought  before  rulers,  for  a  testimony  against  them,  and 
for  my  names  sake;*^  and  the  devil  shall  cast  some  of 
you  into  prison,  that  you  may  be  tried;  and  you  shall 
have  tribulations  ten  days ;  yea,  the  time  comes,  that 
they  that  kill  you,  shall  think  they  do  God  service:^  and 
these  things  will  ihey  do  unto  you,  because  they  know 
not  the  father,  nor  the  son:  and  the  scriptures  must  be 
fulfilled;  and  those  who  have  eyes  to  see,  may  see 
them  now  fulfilled,  and  fulfilling,  and  they  who  see  it, 
have  share  in  it,  and  rejoice,  and  witness  God  faithfid, 
and  his  word;^  but  wicked  men,  and  persecutors,  have 
been  blind  in  all  ages;  for  the  God  of  this  world  hath 
blinded  their  eyes,  and  hath  thereby  made  them  fit  for 
his  own  work,  and  his  work  is  to  oppose  the  Lord  in  all 
things/ 

Now,  all  people,  see  where  you  are,  and  what  you  are 
doing ;'"  where  you  live,  and  whom  you  serve;  for  if  you 

a  John  4,23,24.  b  Mat.lO,  25.  c  Mat.  10, 22.  d  Rev.  5,10.  e  Mat.  24,  9.  f2Cor. 
4.4.  g  Rom.  1,8.  h  Gal.  4,29. 


(  172  ) 


live  to  the  flesh,  you  cannot  please  God ;  for  as  always 
he  that  was  born  after  the  flesh,  persecuted  him  that 
was  born  after  the  spirit;  even  so  it  is  now."    O  be  no 
longer  deceived,  see  whether  ye  be  in  the  first  birth,  or 
born  again;  that  which  is  of  the  first  is  of  the  earthy 
earthy,  and  minds  earthly  things,  feeds  upon  dust;''  and 
this  is  the  serpent's  seed;  and  here  are  all  your  envious 
haters,  persecutors,  covetous,  scofl*ers,  and  such  like;*" 
and  here  will  you  be  found,  your  actions  witness  it,  you 
cannot  deceive  God;  you  are  under  the  curse,  and  they 
be  the  cursed  fruits. you  bring  forth,  and  they  are  for  the 
fire.''    But  the  second  brings  forth  no  such  fruit;  for  he 
that  is  born  again,  is  born  of  the  spirit,  and  brings  forth 
fruits  of  the  spirit;  he  is  born  of  God,  and  brings  forth 
fruits  unto  God,  fruits  of  love,  meekness,  gentleness,  pa- 
tience, temperance,  and  such  like:  there  was  never  a 
persecutor  of  this  birth,  for  they  are  called  out  of  all 
occasions  of  strife,  contention,  and  persecution ;  for  that 
is  all  about  things  of  this  world,  and  forms,  and  customs 
that  perish.    But  they  who  are  brought  into  the  sub- 
stance, cannot  contend  about  shadows;*  for  there  all 
disputes  and  vain  janglings  cease;  for  as  they  are  ruled 
by  one  spirit,  so  they  are  led  by  one  spirit,  into  one  God, 
where  God,  Christ,  and  the  saints  are  one  eternally;  but 
this  godliness  is  a  mystery  to  all  the  world.    Now  try 
yourselves,  for  by  your  fruits  you  are  known,  and  shall 
bt  judged;  wherefore  all  people  look  within,  and  judge 
yourselves,  reform  the  inside,  looking  without  to  be  seen 
of  men  keeps  you  hypocrites,  and  you  have  your  reward/ 
biit  the  true  seed  of  the  Jews,  who  are  of  the  circumci- 
sion made  without  hands,  in  the  heart,  such  seek  not 
praise  of  men,  but  of  God;^  neither  are  they  known  of 
carnal  minded  men,  nor  owned  of  them,  nor  have  fellow- 
ship with  them,  but  are  raised  up  out  of  the  fall  to  God, 
to  live  with  him  in  joy,  and  peace,  and  righteousness,, 
which  men  talk  of  who  live  in  the  flesh,  and  in  the  fall, 
who  are  not  reconciled  to  God;**  and  there  can  be  no 
reconciliation  to  God,  while  sin  stands,  which  made  the 
first  separation:  O  people  be  not  deceived. 

a  John  3,  31.  b  2  Pet.  3,  3.  clJohn3,9.  dl  John  5, 7.  eJer.10,3,  Ephes.2. 18 
f  Col,  2, 11.  gl  John  1,3,  &  6, 7.   h  1  Cor.  15.  20. 


(  n3  ) 


THE  STUMBLING  RLOCK  REMOVED  FROM  WEAK  MINDS. 

O  YE  raging  priests!  who  have  set  yourselves  against 
the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord  in  his  own,  whereby  he 
is  manifesting  his  works,  his  strange  works ;  his  acts,  his 
strange  acts;  making  his  servants  signs  and  wonders 
amongst  the  heathen,  and  them  that  know  not  God,  nor 
his  power,  whereby  he  is  choosing  that  which  seems 
foolishness, to  confound  the  wisdom  of  the  wife;  which 
you  who  stand  in  your  own  wills  and  wisdom,  know 
nothing  of;  but  in  this,  as  in  other  things,  out  of  your 
envy  against  the  truth,  take  occasion  to  lay  stumbling 
blocks  in  the  way  of  others,  wherein  you  plainly  appear 
to  be  in  that  generation,  who  will  neither  enter  into  the 
kingdom  yourselves,  nor  would  suffer  others.    You  who 
take  occasion  to  preach  and  print  against  the  truth, 
because  the  Lord  hath  caused  some  of  his  servants  to 
go  along  your  streets  in  Kendal,  and  Kerby-steven,  as 
signs  of  his  wrath  to  come  upon  that  pride  and  fulness 
that  priests  and  people  live  in;  and  this,  you  who  never 
knew  what  it  was  to  obey  God,  contrary  to  your  own 
reason  and  wills,  (for  who  act  such  things,  act  contrary 
to  their  own  vA'ilis)  cry  out  on  us  a  delusion  and  mad- 
ness, thinking  thereby  to  make  the  truth  odious  to  others : 
but  it  is  that  the  scriptures  may  be  fulfilled  upon  you,  as 
it  hath  been  on  your  generation  before  you,  who  counted 
always  what  the  prophets,  Christ  and  the  apostles  did 
madness,  and  called  them  mad  fellows.    But  now  all 
you  who  fear  the  Lord,  and  believe  his  word,  take  heed 
of  the  deceit  of  these  men,  and  mind  not  what  they  say. 
who  have  set  themselves  to  speak  evil  of  the  things  they 
know  not; but  search  the  scriptures,  and  there  you  shall 
find,  that  the  mighty  God,  (who  hath  power  over  all 
flesh,  and  what  he  commandeth  none  must  dispute  by 
their  reason  (though  it  seem  never  so  foolish,  and  against 
their  wills)  but  must  obey)  hath  always  before  his  great 
judgments,  which  he  has  been  about  to  bring  on  a  peo- 
ple or  nation,  made  some  of  his  dearest  servants  to  pass 
and  act  as  signs  to  such  nations  of  what  was  to  follow, 
and  was  so  usual  among  the  prophets,  and  them  who 
knew  the  word  of  the  Lord ;  that  the  prophets  Isaiah 


(   174  ) 


speaking  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  saith,  behold  I  and 
the  children  whom  the  Lord  hath  given  me,  are  for  signs 
and  for  wonders  in  Israel,  from  the  Lord  of  hosts  which 
dweileth  in  Mount  Zion,  Isa.  viii.  18. 

And  if  ye  search  the  scriptures  of  the  prophets,  you 
shall  see  in  what  strange  and  foolish  things  to  the  wis- 
dom of  the  world  they  were  acted  in ;  as  in  Isa.  xx.  the 
prophet  was  to  go  three  years  naked  for  a  sign  what  the 
Lord  would  bring  upon  Ethiopia  and  iEgypt.  Now  had 
these  men  lived  in  his  days,  they  would  have  cried  that 
up  as  a  delusion  and  madness,  and  not  as  the  word  of 
the  Lord,  as  they  do  at  this  day;  for  they  neither  know 
the  Lord  nor  his  word,  who  stand  in  their  own  wills.-- 
And  read  the  4th  of  Ezekiel,  and  see  what  a  sign  he 
was  to  both  the  houses  of  Israel  and  Judah;  a  strange 
thing  to  the  wisdom  of  man  as  ever  was.  Also  read 
the  5th  of  Ezekiel,  and  see  what  a  sign  he  was  to  be, 
and  what  folly  he  was  to  act  as  to  their  wisdom,  and 
that  in  the  midst  of  the  city.  Likewise  Ezekiel  xii.  to 
17,  18,  and  19  verses;  and  xxiv.  16.  to  the  end  of  the 
chapter;  and  many  other  of  the  dear  servants  of  God, 
who  were  not  only  to  declare  the  word  of  the  Lord  from 
his  mouth,  but  also  to  be  signs  to  them  to  whom  he  was 
to  prophecy,  that  so  he  might  leave  them  all  without 
excuse. 

Now  those  who  then  were  priests,  and  should  have 
been  teachers  and  leaders  of  the  people  to  fear  God, 
and  hear  his  word,  and  observe  his  signs,  and  repent, 
that  the  judgments  might  be  prevented;  they  were  the 
only  men  that  hated,  reproached,  persecuted  and  called 
the  prophets,  Christ  and  his  apostles,  madmen  and  de- 
ceivers, because  of  these  things,  which  into  their  wisdom 
could  not  enter,  and  stirred  up  the  rulers  and  ignorant 
people  against  them,  that  they  might  put  them  to  death, 
as  it  is  at  this  day.  But  these  in  our  days  are  more  in- 
excusable than  all  that  ever  went  before  them ;  inasmuch 
as  they  had  no  scrij)ture  to  show  them  that  the  Lord  had 
commanded  such  signs  formerly;  but  these  have  the 
scriptures  that  witness  to  the  same  thing;  which  scrip- 
tures they  make  a  trade  on,  and  cry  up  in  words,  but 
are  ignorant  of  that  spirit  by  which  tliey  were  acted 


(   175  ) 


that  gave  them  forth;  and  envy  and  persecute  that  obe- 
dience that  was  acted  in  thera,  in  whom  it  is  now^  acted ; 
and  they  might  as  well  cry  out  against  Isaiah  for  a 
madman,  because  he  went  naked  at  the  word  of  the 
Lord;  and  the  rest  of  the  prophets  and  servants  of  God 
for  acting  such  weak  and  foolish  things  to  their  wisdom, 
as  they  did,  as  against  these  for  obeying  the  Lord  in  the 
same  or  the  like  things  whatsoever,  for  God  is  not  tied 
to  any  rule  to  walk  by,  but  his  own  wili^J  and  where  he 
commands,  no,  wo  to  him  that  acts  in  his  own  will,  and 
saith  it  is  the  word  of  the  Lord.    Wherefore  all  ye  that 
fear  the  Lord,  take  heed  of  being  stirred  up  by  these 
men  to  speak  evil  of  that  you  know  not,  but  consider 
that  the  priests  have  been  always  the  movers  and  per- 
suaders of  the  people  against  Christ  and  his  kingdom, 
and  power  in  his  saints ;  and  instead  of  being  forward  to 
speak  evil  of  Ihe  things  you  know  not,  turn  in  your  minds 
into  the  fear  of  God,  and  mind  the  light  in  your  con- 
sciences, that  will  let  you  see  what  sins  you  are  guilty  of, 
which  these  signs  are  threatenings  to,  that  you  may  re- 
pent of  them,  and  escape  the  judgment,  and  find  mercy, 
as  they  did  in  the  time  of  the  prophets,  who  feared  the 
Lord,  and  escaped  the  judgment;  but  the  envious,  scorn- 
ers  and  fools  passed  on  and  were  punished. 

And  know  this,  that  a  wise  man's  eye  is  in  his  head, 
and  such  an  one  hath  his  guide  within  himself,  and  will 
not  be  hasty  to  follow  others,  though  they  be  multitudes 
to  do  evil ;  and  such  know  it  is  better  to  be  silent,  than  to 
speak  evil  of  the  things  they  know  not;  and  when  was 
there  ever  any  truth  of  God  brought  forth,  but  it  always 
suffered  the  violence  of  the  proud  and  haughty,  where 
the  seed  of  the  serpent  reigns  and  shows  his  enmity; 
and  'tis  the  same  now,  for  that  which  hath  been,  is  at 
this  day;  but  it  is  that  the  power  of  the  Lord  may  be 
seen,  in  carrying  on  his  simple  truth  against  all  the  wis- 
dom and  power  of  the  world,  and  plotting  of  the  serpent; 
yea,  and  he  will  carry  it  on  to  his  praise,  and  to  the 
confounding  of  all  his  enemies,  who  must  stumble  at  the 
stumbling  stone,  and  be  offended  at  the  rock  that  must 
break  them  to  pieces.    Wherefore  be  silent  all  flesh 
before  the  Lord,  whose  foolishness  is  more  than  thy 


<   176  ) 


Wisdom;  and  whose  weakness  is  more  than  the  strength 
of  all  the  world;  who  is  a  defence  to  his  poor  despised 
ones,  in  the  midst  of  all  their  enemies.  Eternal  praises 
to  thee,  who  art  our  wisdom,  for  ever.  J.  N. 


CHURCHES  GATHERED  AGAirs'ST  CHRIST  AND  HIS  KINGDOM: 
OR,  A  rETinON  ANSWERED. 

Wherein  is  plainly  f.'iowed  how  the  petitioners  go  about  to  take  Christ's 
kingdom,  care  of  his  servants,  and  propagating  of  his  gospel  out  of  his 
hands,  and  would  put  it  into  the  hands  of  the  powers  of  the  earth,  contra- 
ry to  the  words  of  Christ,  and  practice  of  all  the  saints  in  scriptures, 
laid  open,  that  all  who  fear  the  Lord,  may  search  the  scriptures,  and 
withdraw  from  the  tents  of  these  wicked  men,  and  their  covetous  prac- 
tices. 

Also  a  word  to  those  to  whom  this  petition  is  preferred,  that  above  all  they 
meddle  not  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  for  all  that  have  done  it,  or  shall 
do  it,  shall  be  broken  to  pieces,  for  he  alone  will  reign,  and  all  flesh  shall 
cast  their  crowns  at  bis  feet;  even  so  Amen. 


Written  by  one  whom  the  world  knows  by  the  name  of  James  Nayler. 


Isaiah  liv.  15.    Behold  they  shall  surely  gather  together,but  not  by  me,  whosoever  shall 
gather  together  against  thee  shall  fall  for  thy  sake. 

TO  THE  SUPREME  AUTHORITY  OF    THIS  NATION,  THE  PARLIAMENT  OF 
THE  COM3IONWEALTH  OF  ENGLAND:    THE  HUMBLE  PETITION 
OF  DIVERS  CONGREGATED    CHURCHES  IN 
THE  NORTHERN  COUNTRIES, 

Sheweth  that  our  consciences  hear  us  witness  in  the 
bight  of  God,  how  often  we  have  poured  out  our  souls  on 
the  behalf  of  this  present  parliament,  and  how  we  stand 
still  waiting  at  the  throne  of  grace,  to  hearken  what  the 
Lord  will  say  unto  us  (for  truly  our  hearts  tremble  for 
the  ark  of  God.)  And  seeing  divine  providence  hath 
called  together  so  many  of  his  precious  servants,  who 
have  so  oft  made  mention  of  his  great  name,  we  had 
almost  said,  more  deeply  than  ever  any  other  parlia- 
ment hath  done,  we  are  carried  out  with  the  greater 
hopes,  that  God  will  at  last  work  out  some  eminent  thing 
for  his  glorious  name  and  gospel,  and  that  our  eyes  shall 
never  see  the  contrary:  for  diis  end,  most  honourable, 
we  had  been  your  petitioners  long  e'er  now,  had  not  too 
much  fear  of  presuming  given  a  check;  but  now,  least 
our  continued  silence,  should  be  interpreted  as  a  consent 
to  the  manifold  clamours  of  too  many,  not  well  affected 


(   177  ) 


lO  the  godly  ministry  and  their  subsistence,  we  dare  no 
longer  hold  our  peace,  but  are  prest  in  our  spirits  to 
take  humble  boldness,  to  acquaint  your  honours,  what  it 
is  that  makes  your  petitioners  lament  before  the  Lord 
and  you. 

1.  The  swarms  of  horrid  errors  arising  out  of  the  bot- 
tomless pit,  that  infect  and  even  darken  this  our  horizon, 
flying  in  the  face  of  Christ  himself,  his  person,  his  offices, 
his  merits,  his  scriptures,  his  ordinances,  his  sabbaths, 
his  saints,  and  vvhatever  is  dearest  unto  him;  and  all 
this  without  controul,  carried  with  a  high  hand  and  a 
daring  brow,  affronting  the  godly  ministers  and  faithful 
servants  of  Christ,  in  their  holy  worship:  the  least  of 
which  errors  in  time  past,  would  have  made  our  hearts 
to  tremble,  but  now  the  commonness  of  them  hath  al- 
most bereaved  us  of  all  sense. 

2.  The  heaven  provoking  profaneness,  the  hideous 
atheism  abounding  in  the  land,  and  in  some  of  these 
dark  parts,  running  apace  to  flat  heathenism;  one  main 
ground  of  all  which  being  (as  we  humbly  conceive)  the 
want  of  able  and  painful  ministers,  the  continuance  of 
the  old  ignorant  profane  ones,  and  the  bold  intrusion  of 
scandalous  ones,  ejected  by  the  late  commissioners  for 
propagating  the  gospel  in  these  northern  counties,  for 
whose  godly  endeavours  we  have  cause  to  bless  the 
Lord,  but  their  commission  expiring,  they  are  boldly 
now  re-entered,  as  the  unclean  spirit  in  the  gospel,  after 
his  ejection,  more  wicked  than  before. 

3.  The  subtil  undermining  that  soul-saving  ordinance 
of  the  ministry,  and  crafty  designs  against  the  most 
able  and  faithful  messengers  of  Christ,  who  are  now 
made  signs  and  wonders  in  Israel ;  and  this  not  only  by 
the  baser  sort  of  men,  which  doth  not  trouble  us,  but  by 
some  of  eminent  place,  whom  God  and  all  good  meo 
expect  should  rather  be  their  protectors;  and  that  which 
is  yet  more  observable,  the  more  zealous  and  eminent 
such  ministers  are,  they  are  by  men  of  corrupt  minds  the 
more  opposed  and  shot  at,  when  the  generation  of  idle 
drones,  and  scandalous  ones  round  about  them,  arc  never 
molested:  and  how  long  the  jealousy  of  our  God  wiH 
bear  this  contempt,  for  what  is  done  to  his  faithful  am- 

23 


(   178  ) 

bassadors,  is  done  to  himself;  we  humbly  leave  to  youf  ^ 
wise  considerations. 

4.  And  that  the  ephah  of  these  servants  of  Christ's 
sufferings  might  be  filled  up,  their  daily  bread  is  also 
grudged  at,  threatened  to  be  taken  from  them;  though 
these  are  the  men  (your  honours  well  know)  who  break 
unto  us  the  bread  of  life:  and  if  it  were  only  their  per- 
sonal livelihoods  which  is  endangered,  it  were  more  tol- 
erable; but  we  could  say,  it's  their  wives,  it's  their  poor 
children  that  must  in  this  case  suffer;  not  only  whilst 
the  minister  himself  lives,  but  be  exposed  to  extremities 
when  he  is  dead.  Do  not  all  men  see,  ye  rulers  in  Isra- 
el, that  the  widows  and  fatherless  of  ministers,  are  com- 
monly left  poor  enough  after  their  decease,  even  now 
when  they  enjoy  all  their  present  means,  how  much 
more  when  it  is  diverted  or  shortened?  And  yet  this  is 
the  time  when  all  other  men's  properties  with  an  height 
of  tenderness,  as  things  inviolable, are  pleaded  for;  and 
must  only  the  minister's  propriety  be  struck  at,  which 
not  only  the  law  of  man,  but  the  Lord  Jesus  himself 
hath  appointed  as  a  just  reward  of  their  work. 

Thus  your  petitioners  having  as  your  children,  opened 
the  burthen  of  their  hearts  into  their  fathers  bosoms, 
do  humbly  crave  leave  briefly  to  tender  these  few  suits 
following. 

1.  That  abominable  errors  may  not  go  up  and  down 
with  an  whores  forehead,  and  thus  affront  the  Lord  Jesus 
and  his  truth,  but  that  some  speedy  and  effectual  re- 
straint be  made  of  that  bold  vending,  printing  and 
preaching,  whatever  the  prince  of  darkness  shall  blow 
into  corrupt  minds;  shall  the  father  of  lies  have  as 
much  liberty  to  dandle  his  brats,  as  the  father  of  light 
to  promote  his  God-born  truth?  Remember  ye  honour- 
able servants  of  the  Lord,  what  terms  of  detestation 
the  ble^ssed  holy  ghost  himself  gives  to  such  like  errors, 
calling  them  gangrenes,  cankers,  delusions,  damnable 
heresies,  pernicious  errors,  doctrines  of  devils.  O  let 
your  hcrly  zeal  be  kindled  against  such  deadly  things,  as 
destroy  the  faith  of  some,  smite  Christ  on  the  face,  and 
give  him  the  lie;  God  can  make  you  wise  to  divide  be- 
tween errors  that  destroy  faith  and  holiness,  and  some 
smaller  differences  among  the  saints. 


(  179  ) 


2.  That  a  speedy  course  be  taken,  that  idle,  profane 
Ignorant  men  may  no  longer  abide  in  the  ministry,  and 
lead  souls  along  to  hell  with  themselves,  but  be  cast 
out  as  unsavoury  salt,  fit  for  the  dunghill ;  the  spade  and 
the  flail  being  fitter  for  such  men  than  pulpits;  and  that 
godly  and  able  ministers  be  invested  in  their  places,  and 
bold  intruders  already  ejected,  there  being  too  many  of 
such  in  these  parts,  may  with  some  frown  of  authority 
be  deposed:  and  for  these  ends,  may  it  please  your  hon- 
ours that  the  some  godly  and  approved  commissioners, 
with  the  assistance  of  some  able  gospel  ministers  may 
be  appointed  for  propagating  the  gospel  in  these  dark 
northern  counties;  for  the  late  parliaments  commission 
in  like  case,  proved  the  greatest  blessing  that  ever  the 
north  had,  the  happy  effect  whereof  we  taste  more  and 
more  daily,  and  had  not  their  commission  so  soon  ex- 
pired, ail  places  might  have  been  well  provided  for  e'er 
now . 

3.  That  the  ministry  and  the  truly  zealous  and  faithful 
ministers  may  be  owned  by  you,  as  the  Lord  owns  them, 
that  all  the  world  may  see  your  cordial  and  resolved 
adherence  to  Christ's  case  in  them,  for  he  holds  the 
stars  in  his  right  hand:  consider  we  beseech  you  [most 
christian  assembly]  their  work  is  unpleasing  to  flesh  and 
blood,  the  ministry  having  ever  been  known  to  be  the 
bulwark  against  the  inundation  of  error  and  profaneness, 
and  this  sets  the  ungodly  world  with  so  much  spite 
and  venom  against  them,  the  more  need  have  they  of 
your  tenderest  encouragement,  as  their  nursing  protect- 
ing fathers.  It  is  well  known  to  vour  honours,  that  these 
faithful  witnesses  prophesyed  in  sackcloth  all  the  time 
of  the  late  prelates  cruel  persecution,  it  is  but  a  very 
little  time  since  their  yokes  were  taken  off,  and  now 
again  to  be  so  soon  forced  to  their  old  mourning  attire, 
will  seem  harsh  in  the  eyes  of  all  them  that  love  the 
gospel:  remember  who  it  is  that  saith,  he  that  despiseth 
you,  despiseth  me;  and  how  God  hath  thrown  to  the 
ground  here  in  England  before  your  eyes,  that  proud  and 
lofty  generation  the  prelates,  whq  so  ill  intreated  his 
faithful  ambassadors. 


(  180  ) 


Lastly,  seeing  the  Lord  himself  of  old  made  such  cer- 
tain and  plentiful  provision  for  the  priests  under  the  law^ 
and  Christ  himself  affirms  the  labourer  is  worthy  his 
hire  under  the  gospel,  and  the  great  apostle  so  largely 
and  professedly  disputes  for  it,  1  Cor.  9.  And  seeing 
ministers  must  be  men  given  to  hospitality,  and  therefore 
must  [besides  their  necessary  maintenance]  have  where- 
withal to  do  it:  and  also  lest  the  want  of  sufficient 
maintenance  should  lay  them  open  to  the  contempt  of 
their  persons  and  doctrine,  and  put  them  upon  tempta- 
tion to  hang  upon  the  favour  of  their  carnal  people,  in  a 
man-pleasiug  way,  or  be  forced  off  their  gospel  employ- 
ment to  attend  on  food  and  raiment:  and  lastly,  lest  their 
poor  widows  and  fatherless  be  driven  to  extremities 
when  they  are  dead,  they  being  able  to  lay  up  nothing 
for  them  while  they  lived.  It  is  therefore  our  humble 
suit,  that  special  and  sure  care  be  taken  for  their  certain 
and  comfortable  maintenance,  and  not  so  much  to  atiend 
to  the  loudness  of  the  cry  of  such  as  call  for  removing 
the  present  way  of  maintenance,  as  to  try  the  strength 
of  their  reasons,  and  the  scope  and  end  that  many  drive 
at ;  for  when  men  are  once  disaffected  to  the  ordinance 
itself,  it  were  too  gross  to  cry  down  the  ministry  and 
ministers  in  plain  terms;  and  therefore  such  a  taking 
and  plausible  way  as  this,  must  be  presented  for  the  un- 
settling their  maintenance,  which  in  time  will  destroy 
maintenance  and  ministry  both  at  once:  but  God  can 
make  you  wise  as  angels  of  God,  to  discern  of  persons 
and  things. 

So  your  petitioners  shall  humbly  pray. 


THE  ANSWER  TO  THE  FOREGOING  PETITION. 

A  few  words  to  you  who  call  yourselves  churches, 
that  you  may  see  in  this  petition  how  far  unlike  unto  the 
churches  of  Christ  in  the  gospel  you  are:  and  that  you 
may  see  the  foundation  whereon  your  church  standeth, 
who  are  crying  out  to  the  earthly  powers  to  uphold  you, 
your  church  and  ark  from  falling,  which  the  churches  of 
Christ  never  did,  but  stood  in  the  power  of  the  Almighty 
alone,  who  had  gathered  them  and  called  them  out  of 


(   181  ) 


all  the  worlds  love  and  protection  to  himself,  and  had 
their  foundation  on  the  rock,  against  which  the  gates  of 
hell  could  not  prevail;  wherein  you  make  it  plainly  ap- 
pear, that  you  are  not  on  their  faith  nor  foundation,  who 
look  for  safety  from  the  hills  and  mountains,  lest  you 
and  your  ministers  should  perish:  and  also  that  you 
may  see  how  unlike  the  churches  of  Christ  you  act  in 
the  things  you  petition  for;  such  things  as  the  churches 
of  Christ  did  never  petition  to  any  earthly  powers  for, 
as  in  the  scriptures  they  shall  witness  against  this  your 
practice. 

And  you  say  the  things  that  make  you  dare  no  longer 
hold  your  peace,  is  the  manifold  clamours  of  some 
against  the  godly  ministry  (as  you  call  them)  and  their 
subsistence. 

Now  where  did  ever  any  church  of  Christ  petition  to 
the  magistrates  to  prevent  the  clamours  of  the  world, 
but  have  looked  on  such  sufferings,  as  their  portion  from 
the  world,  and  therein  have  committed  the  keeping  of 
themselves  to  God  in  all  things;  and  if  these  you  call 
ministers,  were  of  the  same  spirit,  they  would  be  of  the 
same  mind;  but  all  are  not  ministers  of  Christ,  who  are 
so  called;  but  those  who  are  of  the  same  spirit  and 
mind  with  him  in  his  ways  and  sufferings. 

And  therefore  he  seeing  that  many  false  teachers 
should  arise  clothed  like  sheep,  and  come  in  his  name, 
and  should  deceive  many;  and  lest  any  of  his  own 
should  be  deceived  by  them,  he  gives  them  a  sure  way 
to  try  them,  and  that  is,  by  their  fruits,  saith  he,  you 
shall  know  them. 

Now  you  that  call  yourselves  churches,  and  these  you 
petition  for  godly  ministers,to  you  I  shall  according  to  the 
rule  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  lay  down  some  few  of  their 
fruits,  whom  Christ  and  his  apostlesdid  deny ;  that  if 
you  find  the  same  fruits  in  these  you  call  godly  ministers, 
you  may  no  longer  call  them  godly,  whom  Christ  and 
his  apostles  deny  as  ungodly;  and  for  shame  never  call 
yourselves  churches  of  Christ,  if  you  will  not  give  up 
yourselves  and  ministers,  to  be  tried  by  the  rules  of 
Christ  and  his  apostles,  not  in  words  wrested,  but  in 
life  and  practice* 


(  182  ) 


Christ  bears  witness  against  such  as  brought  forth 
these  fruits,  that  were  hirelings,  and  them  that  were 
called  of  men  ministers,  them  who  said  and  did  not, 
that  laid  heavy  burdens  on  the  people,  that  had  the 
highest  place  in  the  assemblies,  the  chief  names  at 
feasts,  greetings  in  the  markets,  clothed  like  sheep,  but 
raven  and  devour  like  wolves.  Peter  bears  witness 
against  such  as  had  hearts  exercised  with  covetous 
practices,  that  could  not  cease  from  sin,  that  with'fain- 
ed  words  made  merchandize  of  the  people,  who  had 
forsaken  the  right  way,  and  run  greedily  after  the  way 
of  Balaam,  who  loved  the  wages  of  unrighteousness, 
who  promise  liberty  to  others,  but  they  themselves  are 
servants  to  corruption.  Paul  bears  witness  against  such 
as  were  lovers  of  themselves,  covetous,  proud,  boasters, 
blasphemers,  false  accusers,  incontinent,  fierce  despi- 
sers  of  them  that  are  good,  traitors,  heady,  high  minded, 
lovers  of  pleasures  more  than  lovers  of  God,  having  a 
form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the  power  thereof;  and 
they  led  captive  such  as  were  laden  with  sin,  and  divers 
lusts,  ever  learning  of  them,  but  never  able  to  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  for  they  resist  the  truth,  and 
are  men  of  corrupt  minds.  Jude  bears  witness  against 
such  as  speak  evil  of  the  things  they  know  not,  but 
what  they  know,  they  know  naturally,  as  brute  beasts, 
who  are  like  Cain  for  cruelty,  and  Balaam  for  covetous- 
ness,  feeding  themselves  without  fear,  murmeiers,  com- 
plainers,  living  in  lusts,  and  their  mouths  speaking  great 
swelling  words,  having  mens  persons  in  admiration  be- 
cause of  advantage,  as  these  do  who  flatter  great  men 
for  self-ends. 

Now  if  you  find  these  fruits  brought  forth,  by  these 
whom  you  petition  for  with  so  much  zeal,  then  judge 
whether  you  be  guided  by  the  same  spirit,  by  which 
Christ  and  his  apostles  did  see  these,  and  give  warning 
of  them;  or  by  that  spirit  that  did  uphold  these,  whom 
Christ  cries  woe  unto;  and  though  you  and  they  may 
think  light  of  these  things,  through  a  light  mind,  yet 
these  are  marks  which  Christ  and  his  apostles  did  dis- 
cover deceivers  by;  and  they  who  see  by  the  same  light, 
know  them  by  the  same  fruits  now;  for  the  devil  can 


(  183  ) 

profess  righteousness, but  live  the  life  of  it  he  cannot; 
and  if  you  will  believe  Christ,  you  must  know  such  by 
their  works,  and  not  by  their  words;  and  if  you  uphold 
such,  you  fight  against  Christ,  and  it  will  avail  you  but 
little  to  call  yourselves  gathered  churches,  when  you  are 
not  gathered  into  his  will,  but  strive  to  uphold  what  he 
comes  to  cast  down;  for  they  that  gather  not  with  him, 
scatter  abroad. 

Another  thing  why  you  petition,  is  the  swarms  of 
horrid  errors,  which  you  say  have  darkened  your  hor- 
izon. 

But  now  take  heed  you  that  are  so  soon  darkened, 
and  are  so  far  mistaken  in  calling  them  godly  ministers, 
who  upon  trial  are  so  far  unlike  God  in  their  practice; 
I  say  take  heed  lest  you  be  as  far  mistaken  in  that  you 
call  errors;  for  truth  hath  always  suffered  under  the 
name  of  error,  by  such  professors  as  have  run  to  the 
earthly  powers  to  fulfil  their  envy,  as  it  is  at  this  day, 
and  will  plainly  appear  upon  trial:  but  suppose  they  be 
errors  indeed,  yet  see  how  far  you  err  from  the  practice 
of  all  the  churches  of  Christ,  who  never  cried  to  the 
earthly  power  to  excommunicate  errors,  but  in  the  spirit 
and  power  of  the  Lord  did  they  proceed  against  them, 
and  did  separate  from  them;  and  Christ  did  never  leave 
it  to  the  magistrates  to  judge  of  errors  and  blasphemies, 
but  hath  reserved  it  to  himself,  and  them  in  whom  he  is, 
even  the  judgment  of  all  spiritual  things,  that  concern 
his  kingdom;  and  he  bindeth  and  loseth  at  his  pleasure 
and  will,  and  not  at  the  will  of  men,  nor  earthly  powecs; 
for  he  alone  is  king  in  his,  and  will  cast  out  whatever 
offends. 

And  whereas  you  say  your  godly  ministers  are  affron- 
ted in  their  holy  worship;  I  answer,  where  the  minis- 
ters are  godly,  and  the  worship  holy,  there  the  spirits  of 
the  prophets,  are  subject  to  the  prophets;  and  if  any 
thing  be  revealed  to  one  that  sits  by,  the  first  must  hold 
his  peace,  and  not  forbid  him  to  speak,aud  such  count  it 
no  affront;  for  who  speaks  by  the  spirit  of  God,  it  will 
abide  the  judgment;  but  they  who  speak  lies  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  would  have  a  law  made  that  none 
should  discover  them;  and  none  but  persecuting  priests 


(   184  ) 


did  ever  go  about  to  stop  the  mouths  of  any  that  God 
had  opened.  And  though  you  call  it  an  error  to  dispute 
and  reason  in  the  synagogues  against  the  false  worship, 
yet  the  apostles  used  it  as  a  means  to  bring  out  of  error, 
and  so  it  is  at  this  day,  as  many  can  witness,  and  none 
but  such  as  live  in,  and  teach  errors,  will  cry  out  against 
it;  for  truth  will  abide  the  light,  and  defend  itself  in 
the  face  of  all  the  errors  of  the  world,  without  a  shel- 
ter from  earthly  powers. 

Another  thing  that  moves  you  to  petition  is,  profane- 
ness  and  atheism  abounding  in  the  land,  and  you  con- 
ceive  the  ground  is,  want  of  able  and  painful  ministers, 
and  the  bold  intrusion  of  scandalous  ones.  I  answer; 
if  you  will  own  none  for  able  ministers,  but  such  as  turn 
their  hearers  from  profaneness,  and  are  not  scandalous, 
that  is,walk  not  contrary  to  Christ  and  his  apostles,  for 
such  as  do  are  scandalous,  then  must  you  deny  all  the 
parish  teachers  in  Englaad,  as  doth  plainly  appear  both 
by  priest  and  people,  to  all  who  are  not  blind ;  and  that 
the  magistrate  needs  no  restrain  profaneness  in  the 
church  of  Christ,  was  never  known  in  the  gospel.  And 
how  the  teachers  in  this  nation  have  deserved  what  they 
ha  ve  devoured,  let  any  wise  man  judge ;  who  have  their 
hearers  yet  in  profaneness,  and  stand  in  need  to  be  re- 
strained by  an  outward  law,  whom  they  say  they  have 
baptized  into  Christ  and  his  church,  and  call  them  chris- 
tians and  believers. 

And  you  that  talk  of  propagating  the  gospel,  by  com- 
missions from  men,  are  enemies  to  Christ's  authority, 
who  hath  and  will  propagate  his  gospel  himself  by  his 
own  power,  and  whom  he  will  give  commission  to,  and 
not  leave  it  in  the  power  of  men;  neither  did  ever  any 
of  his  seek  to  the  magistrate  for  any  such  thing.  And 
here  let  all  the  practices  of  the  churches  of  Christ  wit- 
ness against  you,  who,  Uzzah-like,  dare  not  trust  God 
to  uphold  the  ark  of  his  covenant  with  his  church  with- 
out the  arm  of  flesh. 

And  for  the  great  good,  which  you  say  the  north  re- 
ceived by  the  last  commission  for  propagating  the  gos-^ 
pel,  and  what  reformation  it  hath  brought  forth,  the 
north  can  witness  (though  some  love  to  praise  them- 


1   185  ) 

selves)  and  though  you  call  it  their  godly  endeavorsc 
yet  I  am  sure  none  of  God's  ever  endeavored  the  like. 

Another  thing  that  moves  you  to  petition,  is  the  un- 
dermining of  that  soul-saving  ordinance  [as  you  call  it] 
of  the  ministry.  But  what  a  ministry  you  petition  to 
uphold  is  plainly  shewed  before.  And  for  those  you 
call  ordinances,  there  is  not  one  of  them  that  is  prac- 
ticed by  you  as  they  were  practiced  by  Christ  and  his 
apostles,  and  therefore  are  no  ordinances  of  Christ,  nor 
is  the  soul  saved  by  them,  where  priest  and  people  live 
in  sin.  And  whereas  you  say,  the  more  eminent  the 
ministers  are,  tiie  more  they  are  oppressed.  1  answer, 
the  more  zealous  and  eminent  any  are  in  a  way  contrary 
to  Christ,  the  more  they  are  to  be  declared  against  by 
the  servants  of  God. 

Another  thing  you  fear  is,  that  the  daily  bread  of 
these  you  call  ministers  should  be  taken  from  them,  and 
you  say  these  are  they  who  break  unto  you  the  bread  of 
life.  Nov*'  blush  for  shame  to  call  yourselves  churches, 
or  to  say  that  these  break  unto  you  the  bread  of  life, 
who  are  afraid  to  want  food  for  their  bellies;  for  they 
whom  Christ  sent  to  break  the  bread  of  life,  are  com- 
manded to  take  no  thought  what  to  eat  or  drink,  or  what 
to  put  on,  but  have  the  fathers  care  for  them,  which 
whoever  knows,  doth  not  fear  want:  but  these  make  it 
they  neither  know^  him,  nor  live  on  his  care.  And  all 
may  see  what  a  God  these  men  serve,  who  dare  not 
trust  him  for  daily  bread. 

And  whereas  you  say,  that  all  may  see,  that  their 
wives  and  children  are  left  poor  enough  after  their  death 
when  they  enjoy  all  their  present  means.  Here  be  wit- 
ness against  yourselves,  how  unlike  to  the  ministers  of 
Christ  these  be,  who  had  no  certain  dvveliiptg  place,  but 
these  can  spend  one  or  two  hnn  Jied  pounds  a  year  upon 
pride  and  fulness,  and  leave  tlreir  wives  and  children 
poor  when  they  die,  when  many  of  them,  w!u)  are  for- 
ced to  maintain  them,  have  noth'r.g  but  w^hat  tliey  la- 
bour hard  for  their  wives  and  children:  but  he  is  blind 
who  cannot  see  the  curse  of  God  upon  what  is  forced 
by  violence  from  the  poor,  tQ  feed  their  lust.  And 
whereas  you  say,it  is  their  propriety  which  Christ  Jesu?; 

24 


(    186  ) 

himself  hath  appointed  them.  I  answer,  that  is  falser 
prove  where  ever  Christ  appointed  tithes,  or  any  set  or 
forced  maintenance,  or  any  thing  from  the  world,  as  by 
help  of  earthly  magistrates;  but  they  who  reaped  theii 
spirituals  freely,  did  give  them  carnals  freely,  and  not  by 
constraint.  And  here  it  appears  to  all,  what  seed  these 
Iiave  sown,  who  have  nothing  to  reap,  but  must  famish 
for  bread  amongst  their  churches,  unless  the  magistrate 
help  to  compel  them.  Now  whether  these  be  the  chur- 
ches and  ministers  of  Christ,  or  of  the  world,  let  all  who 
read  the  scriptures  judge,  and  bear  witness  against  you, 
and  your  ministers  and  churches. 

And  now  your  fruits  are  these:  first,  that  printing  and 
preaching,  and  venting  of  that  which  you  call  error  may 
be  stopped.  A  way  by  which  your  forefathers  did  long 
uphold  their  beastly  kingdom,  and  the  pajusts  before 
them:  for  if  none  might  print  or  speak  against  it,  then 
all  your  deceit  might  go  for  truth  undiscovered,  as  it 
hath  done  many  years:  but  the  day  is  come,  and  you 
cannot  be  hid  any  longer,  blessed  be  our  God  for  ever: 
and  here  witness  against  yourselves,  that  you  have  not 
that  truth  that  is  able  to  defend  itself  against  all  errors 
printed  and  preached  whatsoever,  which  did  never  seek 
to  the  powers  of  men  to  protect  it. 

And  whereas  you  say,  shall  the  father  of  lies  have  as 
much  liberty  to  dandle  his  brats,  as  the  father  of  light 
to  promote  his  God  born  truth.  I  answer,  all  is  not 
lies  that  you  call  lies,  but  he  that  is  of  the  truth  will  do 
as  he  would  be  done  by;  then  let  others  have  the  like 
liberty  with  you  to  preach  and  print,  and  so  the  lies  will 
come  to  light,  and  be  discovered  by  the  light;  for  God 
is  able  to  defend  his  truth,  and  discover  the  devil's 
brats. 

And  for  damnable  heresies,  and  doctrines  of  devils, 
gangrenes,  cankers,  and  sucli  like  wdids,  as  you  use, 
and  would  cast  them  upon  others;  let  those  who  abide 
not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  practice  of  the  saints 
in  scripture  without  wresting,  bear  these  names  (for  to 
them  they  belong)  and  it  will  be  found  among  your- 
selves. 


(  187  ) 


Y~oiir  second  suit  is,  that  the  gospel  may  be  propaga- 
ted by  commission  from  men.  And  now  let  all  the 
scriptures  and  the  practice  of  the  saints  witness  against 
you,  who  are  about  to  take  the  propagating  of  the  gos- 
pel out  of  the  hand  of  Christ,  and  would  give  the  pow- 
er to  men.  Oh!  bhish  for  shame  to  call  yourselves  chur- 
ches, and  would  thrust  Christ  out  of  his  kingdom,  and 
give  it  to  men,  when  it  only  belongs  to  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest  to  send  forth  labourers,  and  to  propagate  his 
own  gospel.  Here  you  are  they  who  smite  Christ  on 
the  face,  and  give  him  the  lie,  who  saith,  he  alone  will 
be  king  in  his  own,  and  will  be  with  them  to  the  end  of 
the  world.  O  blind  people!  where  would  you  have  him 
to  have  his  kingdom,  when  you  would  have  the  magis- 
trate to  limit  him,  whom  he  shall  send  to  declare  his 
will?  and  so  would  have  ministers  made  by  the  will  of 
man,  which  ail  the  holy  men  of  God  did  ever  deny;  for 
no  prophecy  of  old  ever  came  by  the  will  of  man;  and 
the  apostles  said  they  were  not  made  ministers  by  the 
will  of  man,  but  by  the  will  of  God.  Here  you  are 
against  Christ,  the  prophets  and  apostles,  and  have  not 
any  ground  in  scripture  for  what  you  desire,  bat  the 
whole  scriptures  witness  against  you  and  your  petition. 

Your  third  suit  is,  that  the  ministry,  and  the  truly 
zealous  and  faithful  ministers  may  be  owned  by  the 
parliament,  as  the  Lord  owns  them,  and  to  shew  their 
adherence  to  Christ's  case  in  them,  for  he  holds  the 
stars  in  his  right  hand.  I  answer;  the  truly  faithful 
ministers  are  owned  of  the  Lord,  and  disowned  of  the 
world:  nor  did  they  ever  petition  the  powers  of  the 
world  to  own  them,  for  they  are  not  of  the  world,  nor 
can  the  world  own  them.  And  here  is  Christ's  case 
clearly  seen  in  them,  whom  the  world  could  never  own, 
and  such  stars  he  holds  in  his  right  hand,  and  they  fear 
not  that  any  should  pluck  them  out  of  his  hand;  but  for 
such  as  you  call  faithful  ministers,  who  dare  not  trust 
the  Lord  for  bread,  and  who  walk  contrary  to  the  com- 
mands of  Christ,  and  practice  of  all  that  ever  he  sent 
(as  hath  been  shewed  concerning  these)  such  the  Lord 
owns  not,  but  denies;  and  such  run  to  the  hills  for  safety, 
and  are  upholden  by  earthly  powers,  and  the  case  of 


(    188  ) 


Christ  is  not  seen  in  tliem,  who  seek  to  the  world  to  own 
them ;  nor  doth  he  liold  such  stars  in  his  right  hand,  for 
they  wander  from  him,  his  commands  and  protection,  to 
whom  \s  reserved  tlie  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever ;  and 
not  being  able  to  see  the  power  of  Christ  in  keeping 
his,  they  dare  nottrnst  him. 

And  whereas  you  say,  that  these  ministers  have  al- 
ways been  a  bulwark  against  errors  and  profaneness.  I 
answer,  let  the  open  profaneness  that  abounds  in  the 
places  where  they  live  witness  against  them  ;  and  if  they 
be  the  bulwarks  against  these  things,  then  why  do  you 
cry  out  to  the  parliament  to  stop  error  and  profaneness? 
And  whereas  you  say,  that  these  faithful  witnesses 
prophecied  in  sackcloth  all  the  time  of  the  late  prelates  ? 
1  answer  let  all  the  nation  witness,  which  of  them  have 
not  prophecied  in  as  great  livings  as  they  could  get,  and 
in  pride  few  exceed  them. 

And  for  the  late  bishops  you  speak  of,  these  are  in 
the  same  nature  with  them,  inveighing  the  poor  servants 
of  God,  that  witness  agaiivst  their  deceits,  stirring  up 
the  powers  of  the  earth  to  persecute  as  they  did.  And 
as  these  are  found  in  their  steps,  so  shall  they  fall  as 
they  did ;  for  God  hath  seen  the  pride  and  oppression 
these  have  used  to  his  people,  and  he  is  come  to  visit 
thein,  and  to  free  them  out  of  their  hands,  and  you  shall 
not  escape. 

Your  last  suit  is,  that  special  care  be  taken  for  a 
certain  and  comfortable  maintenance  for  these  you  call 
ministers;  and  your  reasons  are  these:  1  from  the  pro- 
vision for  the  tribe  of  Levi.  2  From  the  words  of 
Christ,  the  labourer  is  worthy  of  his  hire.  3  From  the 
words  of  Paul.  4  Because  they  must  be  given  to  hos- 
pitality. 5  Lest  want  of  means  should  lay  them  open 
to  contempt  of  person  and  doctrine.  6  Lest  they  should 
br>  put  to  hang  on  the  favour  of  carnal  people.  7  Lest 
they  should  be  forced  off  their  gospel  employment  to 
attend  on  food  and  raiment:  and  lastly, lest  their  wives 
and  children  should  want  when  they  are  dead. 

To  the  first  I  answer;  Levi  was  one  of  the  twelve 


for  the  eleven  tribes  had  the  profession  divided  amongst 


tribes,  and  had  no  other  prefer 


his  brethren ; 


(   189  ) 


tliem.  and  therefore  must  needs  provide  for  their  brother, 
or  he  must  perish,  and  God  commanded  he  should  have 
it  for  the  service  he  was  to  serve:  but  there  is  no  such 
command  concerning  these,  who  have  their  possessions, 
and  liberty  to  improve  them  as  others  have.  To  your 
2d.  Christ  did  not  speak  this  to  any  hireling,  but  to 
those  who  were  to  teach  freely,  and  were  to  take  no 
thought  what  to  eat  or  drink,  or  wherewith  to  be  clothed ; 
and  to  such  he  said,  the  workmen  is  worthy  of  his  meat: 
but  they  who  can  take  not  only  for  their  own  lives,  but 
also  for  their  wives  and  the  generation  after  them,  have 
shut  themselves  out  from  these  words,  and  from  the  care 
of  God  for  them,  and  have  betaken  themselves  to  their 
own  care.  To  your  3d.  For  shame  take  not  Paul  to 
plead  for  your  forced  maintenance,  who  coveted  no 
man's  silver  nor  gold,  nor  did  eat  any  man's  bread  for 
nought,  but  wraught  with  his  hands,  lest  he  should  make 
the  gospel  chargeable:  nor  had  he  any  certain  dwelling 
place;  and  none  are  more  unlike  Paul  than  those  you 
call  ministers,  who  would  have  their  maintenance  from 
the  world  by  a  law,  which  Paul  never  did^  nor  any  other 
that  ever  Christ  sent. 

To  your  fourth,  because  they  must  be  given  to  hospi- 
tality. I  answer, God  hates  robbery  for  burnt  offerings; 
you  that  would  have  a  law  to  take  by  force  from  the 
poor,  that  which  is  their  own  labours,  under  pretence  to 
put  into  the  hands  of  your  ministers,  to  give  to  the  poor; 
who  when  they  have  it,  spend  it  on  their  pride  and  lust, 
till  they  leave  nothing  for  wives  and  children.  The 
Lord  judge  between  the  poor  and  you,  and  deliver  the 
poor  out  of  your  hands.  And  for  these  you  call  minis- 
ters, they  love  the  poor  like  Judas,  who  would  first  have 
all  in  their  own  bag;  and  how  they  would  relieve  the 
poor  out  of  it,  may  appear  by  the  poor  that  are  sued  by 
them  for  their  tithes,  and  set  maintenance,  who  suffer 
the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  and  are  in  wants,  but  the 
priests  live  in  all  fulness. 

To  your  fifth.  Let  all  people  judge,  if  these  be  not 
they  who  bear  rule  by  their  means,  when  their  riches 
must  keep  them  from  contempt  in  their  persons  and  doc- 
trine: and  let  all  judge  if  their  doctrine  be  that  of  the 


(   190  ) 


prophets,  Christ's  and  the  apostles,  who  were  poor  men, 
and  did  never  maintain  the  authority  of  iheir  doctrine 
from  contempt  by  their  means,  but  by  the  power  and 
spirit  of  God.  And  here  let  all  the  scriptures  witness  a- 
gainst  you,  and  your  doctrine  that  stands  in  outward 
means. 

To  your  6th:  All  may  see  what  spirits  these  men  are 
of,  who  would  rather  be  maintained  by  force  than  fa- 
vour: and  see  what  ministers  these  are,  who  preach  up 
their  people  for  saints  and  believers,  but  dare  not  trust 
them  for  a  livelihood,  but  then  call  them  carnal.  And 
all  see,  if  these  walk  as  ministers  of  Christ,  who  never 
asked  any  maintenance  from  the  world,  nor  carnal  peo- 
ple; but  did  first  sow  spirituals,  before  they  reaped 
carnals. 

To  your  7th:  The  apostle  wrought  with  his  hands  to 
supply  his  wants,  and  yet  did  not  leave  the  gospel  em- 
ployment; nor  did  ever  any  wh(^m  Christ  sent  leave  it 
for  want  of  food;  but  covetous  men  and  belly-gods  dare 
not  trust  God,  though  none  ever  wanted  that  did. 

To  your  last:  Let  all  judge,  how  these  walk  in  the 
commands  of  Christ,  who  saith,  take  no  thought  for  to 
morrow,  sufficient  for  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof:  but 
these  hold  it  not  sufficient  to  care  for  their  whole  lives, 
but  for  the  generation  to  come.  And  here  you  are  ra- 
ced out  of  the  care  of  God,  the  command  of  Christ, 
and  practice  of  all  that  ever  he  sent  forth:  and  these  are 
they  who  never  knew  God  in  spirit,  who  dare  not  trust 
him  for  their  bellies.  And  in  your  conclusion  you  say, 
that  unsetling  their  maintenance,  will  destroy  mainten- 
ance and  ministry  both  at  once:  and  you  say,  God  can 
make  them,  to  whom  you  petition,  wise  to  discern  on 
persons  and  things.  1  answer ;  there  is  but  little  wisdom 
of  God  in  them,  who  cannot  discern  by  what  spirit  this 
petition  is  carried  on,  though  it  go  under  the  name  of 
gathered  Churches;  and  also  what  ministers  these  are, 
who  are  resolved  to  stand  no  longer  than  settled  main- 
tenance: but  blessed  be  the  father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  is  discovering  you  and  your  foundation,  and 
hath  raised,  and  is  raising  him  up  such  as  will  declare 
his  will  to  all  to  whom  he  sends  them  freely,  whom  he 


(  191  ) 


ha\h  set  free  from  earthly  pleasures,  and  hath  showed 
them  a  better  inheritance  that  never  fades  away ;  praises 
to  his  uame  for  ever!  And  all  yoa  who  are  delivered 
from  the  covetous  practices  of  these  men,  and  their  de- 
ceits, and  are  come  into  the  teachings  of  Christ,  praise 
the  Lord  for  ever! 


A  WORD  TO  THOSE  TO  WHOM  THE  FORMER 
PETITION  IS  PREFERRED. 

And  now  a  word  to  you  rulers,  to  whom  the  petition 
is  preferred,  that  you  may  not  [through  the  flattering  of 
men  of  corrupt  minds,  who  have  men's  persons  in  admi- 
ration because  of  advantage]  do  any  thing  against 
Christ  or  his  kindom,  in  the  conscience  of  his  saints. — 
And  forasmuch  as  you  are  resolved  to  make  a  declara- 
tion to  give  fitting  liberty  to  ail  that  fear  God,  and  for 
preventing  speaking  evil  against  magistrates,  and  ma- 
gistracy, and  for  preserving  peace  among  such  as  fear 
God,  among  themselves,  without  imposing  one  upon  an- 
other: and  to  discountenance  blasphemies,  damnable 
heresies,  and  licentious  practices:  first  for  them  that 
fear  God,  they  have  a  liberty  purchased  for  them  by  Je- 
sus Christ,  which  the  world  knows  not,  and  they  use  not 
this  liberty  for  an  occasion  to  the  flesh,  but  in  the  service 
of  Christ;  and  take  heed  how  you  judge  of  this  liberty, 
or  the  fitness  of  it,  by  your  wisdoms,  for  they  have  it 
given  of  God,  and  not  of  man ;  and  woe  to  them  who 
go  about  to  restrain  it:  and  for  the  speaking  evil  of  ma- 
gistracy, he  that  bears  the  sword  of  God,  none  that  fear 
God  dare  speak  evil  of  such  dignity,  but  are  subject  for 
conscience  sake ;  for  he  that  rules  in  that  power  that  is 
of  God,  is  one  with  that  in  the  conscience,  and  that  in 
the  conscience  owns  him,  and  bears  witness  to  him  that 
it  is  the  power  of  God,  and  for  conscience  sake  he  is  sub- 
ject; and  they  who  fear  God,  need  no  law  to  forbid  them 
to  speak  evil  of  such  a  magistracy!  But  if  you  continue 
in  place  for  magistrates  such  as  rule  not  by  this  power 
that  is  of  God,  but  by  their  own  wills,  and  contrary  te 
the  mind  and  law  of  God,  punish  them  that  do  vVell, 
and  let  the  guilty  go  free ;  arid  you  think  to  make  a  dec- 


(   192  ) 


laration  to  limit  the  spirit  of  God,  that  it  shall  not  de- 
clare against  such,  and  declare  his  wrath  against  such 
oppression  and  injustice;  then  take  heed  what  you  do, 
that  you  be  not  found  fighters  against  God  to  your  hurt. 

And  consider,  did  ever  any  prevent  the  judgment  of 
God,  by  going  about  to  stop  the  mouths,  or  persecute 
them  whom  the  Lord  sent  to  declare  it,  but  have  hasten- 
ed on  the  wrath,  till  there  was  no  remedy?  And  can 
the  true  prophet  of  the  Lord  speak  any  good  concerning 
Ahab,  but  evil,  though  400  false  prophets  flattered  him, 
to  his  own  destruction?  Nor  could  any  wicked  rulers 
believe  till  the  judgment  came,  and  it  was  too  late;  and 
such  as  love  their  sins,  which  is  the  cause  of  wrath, 
hate  them  whom  the  Lord  sends  to  forewarn  of  it,  and 
so  hasten  on  their  own  ruin. 

:  And  for  your  persevering  peace  among  them  that  feai 
tSod:  let  it  never  be~saicrthat  such  fear  God,  who  are  not 
at  peace  among  themselves,  without  an  outward  law  to 
compel  them,  for  such  are  in  the  flesh,  and  carnal,  and 
the  law  is  for  such ;  but  who  live  in  the  spirit  and  fear  of 
God,  against  such  there  is  no  law,  for  they  are  guided  by 
the  pure  law  of  God  written  in  the  heart,  which  keeps 
them  at  peace,  out  of  the  lust  from  whence  all  strife  and 
war  ariseth. 

And  whereas  you  say,  without  imposing  one  upon  an- 
other: I  answer,  tliose  who  fear  God,  will  not  impose  one 
upon  another;  but  take  heed  that  under  this  pretence, 
you  go  not  about  to  stop  the  mouth  of  any  whom  God 
shall  send,  to  call  out  of  the  idols  worship,  for  now  is 
Christ  arisen  in  his  saints,  to  discover  the  man  of  sin, 
who  sits  in  the  temple  of  God,  showing  himself  that  he 
is  God,  whom  Christ  must  discover  by  the  brightness  of 
his  coming  in  his  saints;  and  woe  to  them  who  go  about 
to  oppose  him  in  his  work:  for  though  gog  and  magoge 
may  gather  together,  yet  the  power  of  the  Lord  shall 
break  them  to  pieces.  And  for  your  discountenancing 
of  blasphemies  and  heresies,  be  not  too  forward  herein, 
since  you  know  but  in  part:  but  consider  it  is  not  long 
^ince  what  you  now  own  for  truth,  went  generally  under 
the  name  of  blasphemy,  and  heresy,  even  by  those  who 
are  now  petitioning  against  others,  and  by  many  of  them 


C  193  ) 


It  is  holden  so  yet,  and  know  that  God  doth  not  always 
reveal  his  secrets  to  wise  and  great  men  first,  but  to 
babes.  And  you  know  not  how  soon  some  of  you  may 
own  and  suffer  for  that  truth,  which  you  now  think  to  be 
blasphemy  and  heresy,  and  then  it  will  not  seem  evil  to 
you,  that  you  have  forborn  to  persecute  it:  but  when  you 
see  men  break  out  into  licentious  practices,  then  you 
have  a  sure  ground  to  go  on  to  suppress  them. 

This  I  am  moved  to  write  unto  you,  not  that  you  or 
all  the  powers  of  the  earth  shall  be  able  to  stop  what 
God  is  bringing  to  pass,  but  that  you  may  be  warned 
not  to  do  that  against  the  truth,  under  the  name  of  blas- 
phemy, wliich  you  may  repent  afterward,  when  it  is  too 
late:  he  that  is  wise,  let  him  be  warned,  and  happy  is 
he;  but  some  will  not,  but  are  for  confusion.  So  in  love 
to  your  souls,  I  have  cleared  my  conscience,  and  the 
will  of  God  be  done,  who  is  blessed  for  evermore,  c/^/ncn. 


The  condition  and  portion  of  the  people  of  England,  who  have  long  flat- 
tered themselves  icxik  the  church,  ministry  and  ordinances;  hvt  upon 
trials  are  found  to  be  the  synagogues  of  satan,  persecutors  of  the  truth, 
and  enemies  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

The  lion  hath  roared,  tremble  all  you  beasts  of  the  field;  the  tmmpet  hath 
sounded,  let  the  beast  prepare  himself  to  battle,  for  the  great  day  of  Si- 
on's  recompence  is  at  hand,  and  woe  to  all  her  enemies. 

I  HAVE  heard  a  voice  of  woe  and  terror  to  come  upon 
all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth;  repent  all  you  inhabi- 
tants of  the  earth,  the  sword  of  the  Lord  is  furbished 
against  you,  to  make  a  grievous  slaughter.  Howl,  woe 
and  misery  all  sorts  of  people,  who  have  preferred  your 
own  wills,  lusts,  and  pleasures,  before  the  pure  law  of 
God.  Howl  you  Sodomites,  and  belly  gods  of  the  earth, 
who  have  given  up  yourselves  to  fulness  of  gluttony, 
and  all  excess  of  riot,  feeding  without  the  fear  of  God, 
sporting  in  the  day  time,  living  like  fed  horses,  spending 
the  creatures  upon  your  lusts,  which  were  never  made 
for  that  end.  Woe  unto  you  ye  fat  swine,  the  sins  of 
Sodom  are  found  among  you,  and  the  plagues  of  Sodom 
are  nigh  at  hand:  Woe  unto  you,  for  now  is  the  Lord 
come  to  require  his  corn  and  his  wine  which  he  save  to 

2fj 


(   194  ) 


teed  the  poor  and  hungry,  which  your  lusts  have  de- 
voured, the  wants  of  all  poor  in  the  nation  cry  out  a- 
gainst  you,  you  have  exceeded  all  that  ever  went  before 
you,  and  you  shall  exceed  in  misery.  Woe  unto  you 
proud  lustful  and  lofty  ones  that  are  lifted  up  in  your 
own  eyes,  and  have  set  yourselves  above  the  fear  of  God, 
which  teacheth  humility;  you  plainly  appear  to  be 
children  of  the  devil,  who  is  the  father  of  all  pride  and 
self-exaltation,  you  bear  the  image  of  the  serpent,  you 
speckled  ones,  who  have  painted  yourselves  in  the  vari- 
ous colours,  to  make  yourselves  seem  glorious  in  the 
eyes  of  others,  that  they  may  bow  to  and  worship  you. 
Woe  unto  thou  that  hast  set  thyself  in  the  seat  of  God; 
thou  art  weighed  and  formd  wanting,  thy  pride  is  for  the 
lire,  and  thy  honour  for  the  dust,  for  now  is  the  Lord 
coming  to  enquire  after  his  wool  and  flax  which  he 
gave  to  clothe  the  naked  of  all  sorts,  with  which  thou 
hast  decked  thyself,  and  spent  it  upon  thy  lusts,  thereby 
to  set  thyself  in  the  seat  of  the  almighty.  Woe,  woe, 
woe  unto  thee,  thou  that  art  exalted  as  high  as  Heaven, 
yea  as  into  God's  throne,  but  thou  shalt  be  cast  down  to 
Hell,  the  lamb  is  risen  to  rule  the  nations.  Woe  unto 
the  covetous  cruel  oppressors,  who  live  upon  dust,  you 
grind  the  face  of  the  poor,  and  oppress  them  that  are 
fallen;  your  measures  you  have  filled,  and  you  have 
heaped  up  abundance  against  the  day  of  wrath.  The 
fire  of  the  Almightyjis  kindled,  and  it  shall  never  be 
quenched  till  it  hath  devoured  and  burnt  up  you  and 
your  heaps,  and  made  you  a  curse  to  the  generations 
that  shall  come  after.  VVoe  unto  the  envious  serpents 
that  seek  to  devour  the  innocent,  that  make  a  prey  upon 
them  that  depart  from  iniquity;  you  are  the  brood  of  the 
serpent,  that  are  fullilling  what  is  spoken  of  you,  and 
you  now  show  the  enmity  that  God  hath  put  between 
the  two  seeds ;  now  thy  rage  is  seen,  and  the  seed  is  man- 
ifested, whose  heal  thou  art  bruising  who  shall  bruise 
thy  head;  thy  time  is  as  short,  as  thy  rage  is  great. — 
Rejoice  all  ye  that  suffer  it,  that  the  scriptures  may  be 
fulfilled.  Wo  unto  you  scorners,  you  sons  of  Hagar,you 
sons  of  bondage,  to  the  works  of  the  devil,  scorning, 
backbiting,  false  accusing,  slandering,  and  evil  speaking ; 


(    195  ) 


you  are  brought  torlh  by  the  Egyptian  woman,  and  are 
in  Egyptian  darkness,  and  you  cannot  see  that  you  are 
in  the  works  of  the  devil,  and  by  him  you  are  put  on  to 
act  against  Christ  in  his  saints. 

But  now  is  the  son  of  the  free  woman  brought  forth, 
to  whom  the  heritage  belongs,  and  you  sliall  be  cast  out 
among  the  heathen,  and  ungodly,  and  judgment  is  com- 
ing upon  you,  in  which  you  shall  not  be  able  to  stand. — 
Woe  unto  you  swearers  and  liars,  under  whose  tongues 
lies  the  poison  of  asps,  which  you  vent  out  as  you  are 
moved  by  your  father  the  devil  against  the  holy  and 
dreadful  name  of  the  Almighty,  the  land  is  filled  with 
this  generation,  and  hath  long  mourned  because  of  you: 
who  can  pass  in  streets  or  markets  that  fear  the  Lord, 
and  their  hearts  aot  be  broken  to  hear  it?  Do  not  all 
places  abound  with  vain  oaths,  and  lying  idle  words? 
Was  ever  nation  like  to  this  in  these  things?  So  that 
any  who  will  not  use  these  idle  words  and  oaths,  is 
known  in  the  streets  as  they  pass,  and  not  esteemed 
worthy  to  live  in  the  nation;  and  thus  not  only  with  the 
common  sort,  but  also  with  many  that  are  in  place  of 
authority  to  punish  such  things:  and  yet  those  are  not 
afraid  to  call  themselves  christians?  Shall  not  the 
Lord  be  avenged  on  such  a  people  as  this?  Woe  unto 
you  that  live  upon  deceit  in  your  weights  and  measures, 
by  your  slighty  words  arising  from  the  serpent's  wisdom, 
which  makes  a  prey  on  the  simple;  and  when  you  have 
got  great  estates,  you  say  God  hath  given  you  them ; 
you  are  set  up  above  them  who  are  made  poor  by  your 
means;  now  is  the  Lord  come  to  search  you  out,  and 
you  shall  restore  for  your  theft  four  fold.  Woe  unto 
you  that  have  had  power  in  your  hands  to  restrain  these 
things;  but  instead  of  using  the  sword  to  scatter  the 
works  of  iniquity,  have  turned  the  edge  of  it  against 
such  as  the  Lord  hath  called  out  of  these  things,  and 
sent  them  to  call  others  out,  lest  they  partake  of  the 
plagues  that  are  to  come  upon  those  who  are  found  in 
them.  Woe,  woe  unto  you  blind  guides:  who  have  call- 
ed yourselves  Christ's  seedsmen,  and  now  that  the  Lord 
of  the  harvest  is  come  to  look  for  fruits,  here  is  no  bet- 
ter fruit  to  reap  but  such  as  these,  and  that  among  such 
as  you  call  saints,  and  the  churches  of  Christ. 


(   196  ) 


And  now  that  the  heir  is  appearing,  yod  are  stirring 
up  the  powers  of  the  earth  how  to  destroy  him,  least 
you  be  called  to  account  for  your  great  care  to  feed  your 
own  bodies,  and  heap  up  carnal  things,  and  the  little 
care  for  the  souls  of  Christ's  flock.  Now  shall  you  not 
escape, your  day  is  near  at  hand.  Who  could  have  be- 
lieved that  England  would  have  brought  forth  no  better 
fruits  than  these,  now  after  such  deliverance,  as  no  na- 
tion else  can  witness.  O  tell  it  not  among  the  heathen, 
lest  you  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  occa- 
sion the  wicked  to  blaspheme  the  name  of  the  God  of 
hoses,  who  is  reported  to  be  amongst  us,  and  hath  sub- 
dued all  our  enemies,  and  delivered  thus  us  far.  Awake, 
awake,  all  sorts  of  people,  can  you  say  you  have  not  had 
power  in  your  hands  against  these  abominations,  but 
now  that  you  have  not  proved  faithful  in  your  promises 
to  the  Lord  in  the  day  of  your  fears;  therefore  is  the 
Lord  coming  to  call  t^o  account  all  sorts  of  dissemblers 
and  oppressors,  and  by  his  own  right  hand  to  get  himself 
the  victory. 

And  now  woe  unto  you  that  have  known  to  do  well, 
and  had  it  in- your  power,  but  have  not  done  it:  woe 
unto  you  that  have  taken  counsel  at  your  own  wisdom, 
and  multitudes,  and  not  at  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  and 
have  strengthened  yourselves  by  your  riches.  Woe  unto 
you, fruitless  trees, you  have  long  been  digged  and  pruned, 
but  no  fruits  brought  forth,  you  have  long  cumbered  the 
ground.  Woe  unto  you  that  are  at  ease  in  Sion;  howl, 
woe  and  misery ;  tremble  ye  women  that  are  at  ease,  strip 
you,  make  you  bear,  put  off  your  pride,  and  put  on  ash- 
es; turn  your  music  into  wailing,  your  feasts  into  fasting 
and  bitter  lamentation,  and  meet  the  Lord,  if  there  may 
be  hope  for  your  souls  in  the  day  of  his  fierce  wrath 
that  is  coming  upon  the  earth.  While  you  have  time^ 
improve  it.  J.  N, 


(  197  ) 


.4  word  from  the  Lord,  unto  all  the  faithless  generation  of  the  world f 
and  to  all  who  desire  to  know  what  faith  and  hope  we  live  in,  and  what 
faith  and  hope  we  der,y. 

That  faith  we  own  and  witness,  is  that  which  stands 
in  Jesi^s  Chris,  the  everlasting  covenant  of  light,  who  is 
the  light  of  the  world,  and  hath  enlightened  every  one 
that  Cometh  into  the  world,  and  this  light  we  believe 
and  follow;  and  by  this  are  we  led  out  of  all  the  ways, 
works  and  worships  of  this  dark  w^orld,and  the  effect 
of  this  light  we  witness  by  faith ;  and  by  this  faith  we 
deny  all  who  say  this  light  is  not  sufficient,  without  the 
teaching  of  man  to  guide  in  all  the  w^ays  of  God,  and 
all  such  we  deny,  for  those  are  they  who  know  not  the 
voice  of  Christ,  and  therefore  hear  a  stranger  and  hire- 
ling, who  heap  up  teachers  having  itching  ears  who  can- 
not endure  sound  doctrine;  and  in  this  Christ  we  be- 
lieve, who  is  our  life  and  salvation;  and  all  them  and 
their  faith  we  deny,  who  say  they  have  faith,  and  their 
lives  is  not  the  life  of  .Christ,  but  live  in  sin,  and  worldly 
pleasures,  and  say  they  cannot  be  saved  from  their  sins 
in  this  world  but  in  part,  and  this  faith  we  deny,  and 
them,  for  these  deny  the  end  of  Christ's  coming  in  the 
flesh,  who  cannot  believe  he  is  able  to  save  to  the  utter- 
most all  that  come  unto  him;  and  this  faith  is  reprobate, 
and  these  deny  the  Lord  that  bought  them,  and  have 
made  shipwreck  of  faith  and  a  good  conscience,  and 
make  the  blood  of  Christ  of  no  effect  to  them  who  are 
not  cleansed  by  it:  and  all  them  and  their  faith  we  de- 
ny, who  say  they  believe  and  know  the  will  of  God,  but 
they  have  not  power  to  do  it;  for  is  not  that  Christ  in 
which  the  saints  believe,  the  great  power  of  God  unto 
salvation  in  all  that  believe;  and  who  hath  this  Christ, 
hath  power,  and  in  him  we  have  power  to  do  the  will 
of  God ;  but  these  are  they  that  know  not  Christ  nor 
his  power,  but  run  into  notions  and  forms,  but  deny  the 
power,  and  from  such  we  turn  away;  for  such  know  not 
him  in  them,  who  is  greater  than  he  that  is  in  the  world  ; 
but  are  willing  to  serve  sin,  and  be  led  captive  at  the 
devil's  will,  not  minding  the  light  and  power  of  Christ  to 
be  guided  by  it,  and  then  would  seem  to  cast  the  fault 


(   198  ) 


on  God,  as  though  he  had  given  a  Christ  that  was  not 
able  to  set  free  till  after  death;  and  these  put  him  to 
open  shame,  whose  faith  and  profession  we  deny. 

And  we  deny  all  who  say  they  have  faith  in  Christ, 
and  yet  their  righteousness  is  not  perfect;  but  this 
faith  we  witness,  which  receives  the  righteousness  of 
God,  even  the  free  gift  of  righteousness  by  Jesus  Christ; 
and  this  is  perfect,  which  is  the  righteousness  of  faith: 
And  all  who  have  not  this  righteousness,  are  in  the 
false  righteousness,  which  is  not  perfect;  and  these  are 
short  of  the  righteousness  of  God,  and  would  establish 
their  own  righteousness. 

And  these  are  the  boasters,  who  would  justify  them- 
selves and  despise  others;  but  by  the  righteousness  of 
faith  is  boasting  excluded:  and  here  is  no  justifying  of 
self,  but  denying  self  and  self  righteousness,  and  exal- 
ting the  righteousness  of  God,  which  is  perfect,  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  made  unto  us  righteousness 
and  sanctification.  And  by  this  faith  we  deny  all  who 
say  they  have  Christ,  and  have  not  this  righteousness; 
but  whose  righteousness  is  imperfect,  that  righteousness 
we  deny,  and  witness  that  Christ,  in  which  we  are  made 
the  righteousness  of  God  in  him:  and  this  Christ  is  our 
righteousness  and  perfection;  and  this  faith  we  own  and 
witness,  which  is  not  a  talk  of  faith,  as  the  world's  pro- 
fessors, who  say  they  have  faith,  but  are  dead  in  sin, 
and  cannot  witness  the  work  of  God  in  them;  but  that 
faith  we  own,  which  is  lively,  by  which  the  work  of  God 
is  witnessed  in  us,  working  out  sin,  and  by  which  we  are 
his  workmanship,  created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good 
works.  And  this  is  our  faith,  by  which  we  overcome 
the  world,  and  the  devil :  and  all  you  we  deny,  who 
have  a  profession  in  the  world,  and  in  whom  the  works 
of  the  devil  are  brought  forth:  and  their  faith  and  hope 
we  deny,  who  say  they  hope  to  be  saved,  but  live  in  sin, 
making  a  profession.  And  this  is  the  hope  of  the 
hypocrite,  which  shall  perish,  and  not  the  hope  of  Christ ; 
for  he  that  hath  this  hope  of  Christ,  purifies  himself, 
even  as  he  is  pure:  and  this  faith  and  hope  we  own, 
which  purifies  the  heart,  and  enters  into  the  place  of 
-  holiness  within  the  vail;  but  that  which  is  without  ho- 

# 


(  199  ) 


iiness,  we  deny,  which  is  not  in  Christ  but  in  a  vain 
mind.  And  we  deny  all  who  say,  they  have  faith  and 
Christ,  and  yet  their  word  and  light  are  without  them. 
And  the  word  we  witness,  which  is  nigh  in  the  heart; 
and  this  is  the  word  of  faith  which  the  apostles  preach- 
ed; and  he  that  hath  this  faith,  hath  the  word,  which  is 
Christ  the  light,  not  in  letter,  but  in  spirit.  And  all 
them  we  deny,  whose  law  is  only  without ;  and  that 
Jaw  we  witness,  which  is  spiritual,  written  in  the  heart; 
and  this  law  is  perfect,  and  endures  forever:  and  the 
changeable  laws  we  deny,  and  all  whose  law  is  with- 
out, we  see  to  be  in  the  old  covenant  of  works;  which 
made  nothing  perfect;  and  the  self-righteousness,  which 
is  as  filthy  rags.  And  by  the  light  of  Christ  are  we 
convinced  of  that  righteousness  not  to  be  of  faith,  there- 
fore they  whose  faith  and  works  stand  here,  them  we 
deny,  and  see  them  all  worshipping  out  of  the  new  cove- 
nant, in  the  oldnessof  the  letter,  whose  law  is  without, 
their  light  without,  their  church  without,  their  baptism, 
prayers  and  singing  without,  their  righteousness  without, 
and  so  their  faith  without;  all  which  we  witness  in  spirit, 
in  which  we  worship  in  newness  of  life:  and  by  this 
spirit  we  do  see  all  that  are  without  God  and  his  right- 
eousness, to  be  in  the  world,  and  strangers  to  the  cove- 
nant of  grace,  whose  faith  and  worship  we  deny,  and 
God  denies;  for  he  seeks  such  worshippers  as  worship 
in  spirit  and  truth.  And  this  faith  and  worship  we 
own,  not  known  to  the  world,  and  therefore  hated. 

J. 


TO  ALL  THE  WOELd's  PROFESSORS  AXD  PEOPLE,  THAT  ¥0U 
MAY  SEE  WHERE    YOU  AEE,  AND  REPENT. 

The  word  of  God  is  not  known  to  the  world,  nor 
worldly  wisdom;  he  that  hath  the  word  hath  life,  he 
that  knows  the  word,  knows  God,  and  here's  life  mani- 
fest, and  the  word  hath  quickened  him,  and  raised  him 
out  of  death  and  dead  works;  he  that  hath  but  the  let- 
ter heareth  the  sound,  but  knows  not  where  or  what  it 
is;  and  as  he  received  it  in  the  air,  he  declares  it, and 
death  speaks  light  words  without  power,  and  dead 


(  200  ) 


works  and  lightness  is  brought  forth,  and  the  power  of 
death  reigns,  and  the  life  of  that  is  but  an  imitation,  and 
not  the  life  itself;  the  chaff  (but  not  the  grain)  tossed  in 
the  wind,  and  the  prince  of  the  air  is  fed,  and  ruleth, 
and  here  vanity  is  exalted,  the  light  mind  is  fed  with 
airy  notions,  who  would  be  wise,  but  the  wild  nature  is 
at  liberty,  not  subject  to  the  yoke,  but  kicks  against  the 
pure,  and  the  obedience  is  not,  and  the  cross  is  despised ; 
but  the  nature  who  feeds  hf^re,  whose  end  is  for  destruc- 
tion, and  for  the  fire,  for  that  nature  knows  not  the  liv- 
ing word,  but  the  letter,  and  is  without  God  in  the 
world;  but  he  who  hath  the  word,  hath  God,  and  is 
come  into  the  covenant  by  which  all  things  stand ;  for 
he  is  come  to  that  which  was  in  the  beginning,  out  of 
the  fall,  to  the  first  fruits,  and  witnesseth  the  word  spir- 
itual, invisible,  powerful,  pure,  and  sharp;  a  divider 
and  discerner,  by  it  he  is  sanctified  and  made  clean,  by 
it  he  is  established,  and  unmoveable,  and  is  fed  daily,  it 
is  his  life,  joy  and  delight,  and  the  word  is  not  to  be 
fetched  from  above,  nor  from  below ;  neither  is  it  to  seek 
it  in  a  chapter,  or  a  steeple-house,  but  is  nigh  in  the 
heart,  and  in  the  mouth,  by  which  he  is  kept  at  all  sea- 
sons. It  is  his  counsellor,  and  he  enquires  at  it,  as  at 
an  oracle,  and  thereby  he  is  brought  to  live  in  the  life  of 
godliness,  and  from  which  is  spoken  words  of  life  and 
power  to  others,  and  he  speaks  not  his  own  words,  nor 
brings  forth  his  own  works;  but  hath  ceased  from  his 
own  works,  as  God  did  from  his,  and  is  entered  into  his 
rest,  and  is  come  into  the  eternal  sabbath,  and  is  com- 
prehended into  the  word  which  is  Christ,  and  is  no 
more  his  own;  for  now  Christ  speaks  in  him,  acts  in  him. 
and  works  in  him  the  will  and  the  deed ;  now  Christ 
and  he  is  one,  married  to  him,  and  Christ  is  his  head, 
and  husband;  and  now  the  head  speaks,  prayeth,  and 
praiseth,  and  prophecies,  and  is  uncovered ;  and  here  is 
the  church  of  the  first-born,  the  pillar  and  ground  of 
truth,  where  the  woman  must  be  covered,  and  kept  si- 
lent,  and  is  not  to  speak  in  the  church,  is  not  to  usurp 
authority, but  is  to  be  in  subjection;  and  if  she  would 
know  any  thing,  let  her  ask  of  her  husband  at  home, 
and  he  is  to  her  a  covering  of  the  eyes  forever. 


V   401  ) 

Now  ail  you  priests  and  people  l\mi  talk  of  these 
ihiii^s  without  you  from  the  letter,  this  is  a  parable  to 
you,  and  you  read  the  outside  in  the  letter,  and  from  that 
3^ou  imagine,  and  so  set  up  a  form  or  likeness,  or  image 
of  those  things;  and  here  you  worship,  and  for  this  you 
contend,  and  would  compel  all  to  worship  your  image 
you  have  set  up,  and  you  go  about  to  persecute  and  des- 
troy all  that  will  not  worship  and  bow  down  to  it  with 
you;  but  it  is  the  form  you  have,  but  not  the  substance, 
and  you  put  the  dead  letter  for  the  living  word,  and  your 
meaning  of  it,  arising  from  the  brain,  and  wisdom  from 
below,  and  natural  learning.  Thus  you  declare  and 
call  it  prophecying,  and  put  off  your  hats,  which  is  car- 
nal, but  the  head  you  know  not;  and  it  is  the  woman 
that  speaks,  and  the  head  is  covered,  and  so  you  dis- 
honour your  head,  and  honour  yourselves:  neither  are 
you  subject  to  your  head,  but  your  own  will  rules  in  you, 
and  you  live  in  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  and  are  be- 
come wanton,  and  have  set  your  eyes  upon  many  lovers, 
and  you  ^re  adulterated  from  your  husband,  and  live 
not  with  him,  nor  is  he  a  covering  to  you,  neither  can 
you  witness  him  in  yjou,nor  you  in  him;  nor  is  the  pure 
seed  of  God  brought  forth  in  you.  but  the  seed  that  is 
accursed;  neither  is  the  pure  language  brought  forth  i  n 
you,  but  as  to  God  you  are  smitten  with  barrenness,  and 
bring  forth  nothing  but  words,  winds,  shews  and  shad- 
ows, imitations,  inventions,  imaginations  and  concep- 
tions, and  you  never  look  to  bring  forth  better  fruit,  nei- 
ihercome  to  holiness  and  perfection,  and  your  lirst  fruits, 
and  that  estate  wherein  you  were  created;  and  you  will 
not  know  you  are  departed  from  your  first  fruitfulness, 
and  have  lost  him  in  whom  your  life  stood,  and  in  whom 
your  fruits  were  found,  and  are  become  widows,  and  des- 
olate, as  to  your  first  husband,  and  have  been  running 
after  other  lovers,  and  worshipi:4ing  under  every  green 
tree,  and  the  holy  faith  is  departed  from  you,  and  you 
are  doting  upon  the  Egyptian  and  the  Assyrian  for  wis- 
dom and  strength,  whose  flesh  is  as  the  flesh  of  horses, 
and  have  been  as  fed  horses,  living  in  the  lust  of  the 
)lesh,  as  it  is  at  this  dav. 

26 


(   202  ) 


Now,  all  people,  stand  still  awhile,  and  see  froro 
whence  you  are  fallen,  and  the  cause  of  all  your  un- 
fruitfulness,  and  return  to  your    first  husband,  from 
whence  you  are  fallen,  that  you  may  bring  forth  your 
first  fruits;  for  till  then,  all  you  do  is  abomination  unto 
the  Lord,  and  he  cannot  accept  it:  for  what  you  bring 
forth  is  the  seed  of  the  adulterer,  and  of  the  whore,  a 
generation  of  evil  doers.    And  yet  you  make  a  profes- 
sion in  outside,  as  to  righteousness  and  holiness,  but  the 
power  to  act  righteousness  you  have  not,  but  in  your 
actions  brought  forth  the  image  of  the  devil;  for  all 
sin  bears  his  image,  and  he  is  the  father  of  it.    Let  no 
man  deceive  you  through  fair  words,  he  that  sins  is  of 
the  devil,  and  is  doing  his  work:  and  upon  this  image, 
where  it  is,  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven 
in  flames  of  fire.    Here  is  your  portion,  you  workers  of 
iniquity.  J.  N. 

/  •  — 

A  BRIEF  MANIFESTATION  OF  THE  GROUND  UI'ON  WHICH  WF 
STAND,  TO  THOSE  WHO  DESIRE  TO  KNOW  IT,  WITH 
A  DECLARATION,  WHY     WE  CANNOT 
REPAIR  THE  IDOLS  TEMPLES, 
NOR  GIVE  DAY- WAGES 
TO  A  CLERK. 


To  Uiose  who  are  called  Papists,  (and  others)  who  desire  to  know  our 
ground. 

The  ground  on  which  we  are,  is  that  upon  which  the 
prophets  and  apostles,  and  all  the  holy  men  of  God  ever 
were;  and  on  that  foundation  are  we  builded,  Jesus 
Christ  himself,  who  is  the  light  of  the  world,  which  hath 
enlightened  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world,  be- 
ing the  chief  cornerstone:  wiiich  light  of  Christ  is  one 
in  all  consciences,  by  which  we  are  led  out  of  all  the 
ways  of  darkness  intp  the  light  of  life;  which  life  is 
in  the  spirit,  contrary  to  all  the  former  lusts  and  pleas- 
ures, which  we  lived  in  while  we  walked  in  the  flesh, 
after  the  course  of  this  world,  following  the  corrupt 
practices  and  precepts  of  men.  And  in  this  light,  which 
leads  us  out  of  all  our  own  ways  and  wills,  is  the  cross 
of  Christ  revealed,  who  came  not  to  do  his  own  will? 


(   203  ) 


but  the  will  of  him  that  sent  liim;  which  cross  is  not 
carnal  but  spiritual,  contrary  to  that  nature  which  makes 
earnal  crosses,  who  are  out  of  the  light  and  doctrine  of 
Christ  in  their  own  wills  and  imaginations,  whose  life  is 
in  the  world,  and  their  worship  in  these  carnal  things 
and  rudiments.  But  by  this  cross  are  we  crucified  unto 
the  world, and  all  carnal  worsiiips,  and  they  to  us:  so 
we  being  dead  to  that  wherein  we  were  held,  viz.  the 
rudiments  of  the  world,  by  this  light  and  power  of 
Christ  are  we  raised  up,  to  serve  the  Lord  in  newness  of 
life  and  spirit,  not  in  the  oldness  of  the  letter.  And 
this  light  of  Christ,  by  which  we  are  led  into  this  spirit- 
ual knowledge  and  worship  of  God,  is  the  condem- 
nation of  the  world,  who  walk  contrary  to  it,  notwith- 
standing all  their  carnal  worships;  and  this  light  is  that 
in  all  your  consciences,  which  shews  your  evil  deeds. 


CONCERNING  THE    RErAIR  OF  IDOLS  TEMPLES. 

Is  this  your  reforn>ation,  you  that  rule  in  this  nation, 
who  say  you  have  denied  the  pope,  and  put  down  the 
bishops  ?  And  are  you  repairing  the  idols  temples,  which 
your  forefathers  have  consecrated  to  their  idol  gods? 
and  not  only  so,  but  are  you  forcing  your  brethren,  whom 
God  hath  called  out  of  them,  to  return  back  with  you, 
to  repair  what  God  is  about  to  destroy;  and  if  they  can- 
not join  with  you  herein,  you  take  the  spoil  of  their 
goods  by  force:  and  yet  you  say  you  are  reforming,  and 
the  scripture  is  your  rule.  But  what  command  or  ex- 
ample have  you  in  scripture  for  these  things?  When 
the  Lord  commanded  a  temple  in  the  old  covenant  to 
be  built,  were  any  forced  to  that  work,  but  whose  hearts 
he  stirred  up  freely  to  offer  themselves?  And  will  you 
force  the  believers  in  the  new  covenant  to  repair  your 
high  places,  which  God  never  commanded?  Here  you 
are  out  of  the  rule  of  the  scripture  and  saints  practice, 
who  never  did  such  a  thing;  nay,  which  of  the  heathen 
did  ever  force  the  believers,  after  they  were  come  out 
from  their  worships, to  repair  their  idols  temples?  And 
herein  ye  exceed  the  heathen  in  your  will-worships; 
nay,  do  you  act  herein  as  men  of  reason?    Is  it  not 


(   204  ) 


dason,  that  Baai's  worshippers  should  repair  Baai's 
temple?  Or,  would  reason  compel  them  to  repair  with 
yon,  who  cannot  worsiiip  with  you?  And  is  this  your 
zeal  to  your  God,  to  offer  a  sacrifice  to  him  of  other 
mens  cosi?  This  the  worshippers  of  the  living  God 
would  never  do;  for  he  hates  robbery  for  burnt-offerings, 
and  accepts  nothing  but  what's  of  faith,  and  not  of 
force.  Is  he  a  God  you  worship  herein?  And  hath  he 
no  way  to  uphold  his  house,  but  by  a  carnal  law,  and 
taking  mens  goods  by  force?  Let  your  God  plead  for 
himself  against  Jeru-baal,  who  hath  thrown  down  his 
aliars,  and  will  not  repair  his  temples:  for  we  that  wor- 
ship the  living  God,  are  brought  to  worship  him  in  tem- 
ples made  without  hands,  whose  maker,  builder,  and 
upholdor  is  God,  and  not  man:  and  here  they  that  free- 
ly receive,  freely  offer. 

And  nowyou  thatsayyou  are  crhistians,  honestly  con- 
sider these  things;  first,  as  christians,  have  not  others  as 
good  ground  both  from  scripture  and  in  conscience,  to 
force  you  to  repair  the  houses  they  meet  in,  as  you  have 
to  force  them  to  repair  your  high  places,  which  God 
hath  forbidden?  Secondly,  do  you  as  you  would  be 
done  unto  by  others,  when  you  spoil  their  goods  to  re- 
pair your  idols  temples,  which  they  cannot  do;  nor 
worship  therein, but  sin  against  God?  Thirdly,  do  you 
deal  like  christians,  to  force  them  to  repair  your  idols 
temples,  when  you  will  not  allow  to  speak  a  word  of 
truth  therein  from  God,  but  beat,  shamefully  entreat, 
and  haul  them  to  prison?  Fourthly,  did  ever  any  be- 
lievers, after  they  were  called  out  of  the  Jewish  syna- 
gogues and  temples,  return  back  again  to  repair  them,  or 
worship  in  them  because  of  conveniency?  Fifthly,  if 
Jeroboam  the  son  of  Nebat  made  Israel  to  sin,  in  draw- 
ing them  from  the  temple  at  Jerusalem,  which  was  but 
the  figure,  to  worship  at  his  high  places,  then  how  far 
do  you  exceed  him,  who  draw  people  from  the  spiritual 
substance,  the  temple  made  without  hands,  to  worship 
in  your  high  places,  which  Christ  hath  forbidden? 


(  205  ) 


CONCERNING  CLERK's  WAGES. 

Wheueas  we  are  sued  at  law  for  clerk's  wages,  which 
they  call  church-dues,  the  church  of  God  we  own,  and 
what  is  due  unto  it  we  may  not  deny;  but  for  any  such 
office  in  the  church  as  a  clerk,  to  say  Amen^  or  to  learn 
people  to  sing  David's  experiences,  prayers  and  tears, 
&c.  we  find  no  such  officer  appointed  by  Christ,  ever 
maintained  by  his  saints  in  his  church;  but  have  been 
set  up  since  by  the  pope  and  bishops,  both  which  we  de- 
ny, and  all  their  officers,  set  up  in  the  will  of  man,  con- 
trary to  the  example  of  Christ  and  his  church:  such  we 
dare  not  maintain.  And  though  we  suffer  the  spoiling  of 
our  goods,  yet  it  is  not  as  evil  doers,  but  following  the 
example  of  Christ  and  his  church  herein,  denying  the 
pope,  bishops,  and  all  their  rabble  of  officers  they  have 
set  up  without  Christ,  and  contrary  to  him  in  their  inven- 
tions. And  it  is  not  the  love  of  money  or  riches  that 
Hfioves  us  to  it;  the  earth  is  the  I^ord's,  and  the  fulness 
thereof;  nor  do  we  it  in  opposition  to  any  authority,  but 
in  obedience  to  Christ  we  do  it,  and  dare  not  maintain 
such  as  he  never  set  up;  for  we  find  in  the  scripture, 
when  he  ascended  he  appointed  officers  in  his  church, 
and  he  gave  some  apostles,  and  some  prophets,  and  some 
evangelists,  and  some  pastors  and  teachers,  and  those 
were  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints;  but  we  find  not 
that  he  gave  a  clerk:  and  therefore  may  not  own  what 
Christ  never  gave,  nor  add  officers  to  his  church,  which 
he  never  appointed  ;  but  if  either  the  magistrates,  or  ye 
who  call  yourselves  ministers,  or  your  clerks,  can  in- 
stance in  the  scripture,  any  such  officer  in  the  church  of 
Christ  appointed  by  him,  or  his  apostles,  or  any  that  he 
ever  sent,  we  shall  willingly  own  and  maintain  them: 
but  not  being  convinced  by  the  law  of  Christ,  or  from 
the  scripture,  we  choose  rather  to  suffer  the  violence  of 
men,  and  follow  Christ,  than  to  make  shipwreck  of  faith 
and  a  pure  conscience;  and  so  deny  Christ  for  pleasing^ 
of  men,  and  saving  our  estates. 


(  206  ) 


TO  OLIVER  CROMWELL, 
Into  whose  haads  the  sword  of  justice  is  committed,  that  under  thee  ai4 
may  be  godly  and  quietly  governed;  a  terror  to  the  evil  doers,  and  for 
the  ©ncouragementof  them  that  do  well;  and  to  the  army,  and  to  all  that 
are  in  authority,  that  you  may  more  set  up  God  in  your  hearts  and  con- 
sciences, and  give  liberty  to  that  of  God  in  all  consciences,  that  his  peo- 
ple may  serve  him,  without  force  or  fear,  freely  in  spirit  and  truth;  that 
the  Lord  may  bless  you,  and  establish  you,  and  you  may  be  so  far  honour- 
ed, as  to  perform  what  in  the  times  of  your  troubles  you  did  then  promise 
in  the  presence  of  God ,  that  his  people  should  have  liberty  of  conscience. 
To  you  all  1  am  moved  of  the  Lord  to  write,  as  followeth. 

It  being  a,  matter  of  the  greatest  concernment  to  ev- 
ery man's  conscience  that  loves  Christ,  not  to  uphold 
any  ministry,  under  any  pretence  whatsoever,  which  is 
not  sent  by  Christ. 

Therefore  take  heed,  as  you  tender  a  pure  conscience* 
to  give  liberty  herein,  that  there  be  no  forcing  to  uphold 
any  one  soul  that  say  they  are  ministers;  but  that  every 
one  herein  make  proof  of  his  ministry,  and  so  shall  ev- 
ery man's  reward  be  as  his  work.  And  you  magistrates 
shaU  not  need  to  meddle  in  this  thing,  seeing  God  never 
required  it  at  your  hands,  to  force  a  maintenance,  neither- 
under  a  law  nor  gospel. 

But  if  any  say  this  will  open  a  gap  to  all  sin,  and  make 
men  heathen ;  I  answer,  it  will  be  the  only  way  to  cut 
down  sin,  as  will  appear  to  any  reasonable  understand- 
ing. First,  a  law  being  made  to  punish  sin  without  ex- 
ception, this  takes  hold  of  the  heathen,  and  the  hypo- 
crite shall  not  escape,  under  what  form  soever :  and  liber- 
ty of  conscience  being  given,  you  will  presently  see  into 
whose  hands  to  commit  the  execution  of  that  law;  for 
who  hath  not  a  principle  of  God  to  guide  his  worship 
without  constraint,  can  never  execute  any  just  law  for 
God,  but  for  self-ends.  And  so  you  should  choose  men 
fearing  God,  and  to  bear  the  sword  of  God.  And  till 
then,  make  what  laws  you  will  to  preserve  innocency, 
yet  by  them  the  innocent  is  sure  to  sufler;  for  how  can 
he  whose  conscience  is  forced  as  to  the  w^orship  of  God, 
use  a  good  conscience  towards  men,  or  own  a  pure  con- 
science in  another,  to  preserve  it,  who  hath  made  ship- 
wreck of  it  himself. 

And  for  making  heathens,  I  say  it  will  but  discover 
heathens  that  are  hid ;  for  he  that  hath  not  a  principle  of 


(    207  ) 


God  in  himself  to  carry  him  on  in  his  worship,  without 
forcing  is  a  heathen,  and  knows  not  God,  and  his  wor- 
ship and  prayers  are  abomination  to  God,  and  he  that 
forces  him,  is  guilty  with  him,  for  such  were  never  for- 
ced, but  admonished,  till  they  came  to  be  won  by  the 
word,  or  without  the  word,  by  a  godly  conversation,  and 
till  then  to  be  ordered,  or  forced  to  the  law  of  the  ma- 
gistrate made  for  such,  is  in  vain,  till  the  promised  seed 
be  owned  to  guide  in  the  works  of  the  spirit,  for  without 
that,  the  law  or  parish  preaching  will  not  order  such,  as 
is  manifest  iu  the  nation,  and  hath  been  for  many  years; 
and  such  being  declared  to  be  heathen,  would  be  a- 
shamed,  and  being  convinced  in  their  own  consciences, 
might  come  to  be  saved,  which  now  pass  under  the  name 
of  a  profession. 

But  if  it  be  said  this  is  the  only  way  to  root  out  the 
ministers  of^Christ,  I  answer:  It's  the  only  way  to  man- 
ifest the  ministers  of  Christ,  from  the  ministers  of  An- 
tichrist; and  it  will  root  out  none  but  such  whose  care 
is  first  for  their  bellies,  who  mind  earthly  things,  whose 
ministry  stands  and  falls  by  carnal  things,  who  would 
be  sure  of  wages  before  they  do  their  work;  yea  many 
of  them  have  taken  wages  these  forty  or  fifty  years,  but 
yet  no  work  done,  nor  any  brought  out  of  sin;  and 
these  cry  the  workman  is  worthy  of  his  wages,  and  call 
for  wages  from  such  as  for  whom  they  do  no  work :  But 
these  are  none  of  Christ's  workmen,  who  seek  for  then- 
wages  from  the  world,  who  never  asked  any  thing  of  the 
world;  but  first  planted  a  vineyard,  then  eat  the  fruit  of 
it;  first  sowed  in  hope,  and  then  were  partakers  of  their 
hope;  and  when  they  had  sown  spirituals,  and  the  seed 
came  up,  there  they  reaped  carnals,  and  so  lived  of  the 
gospel,  and  qot  of  the  world. 

And  I  demand  of  any  one  who  owns  the  scriptures, 
10  prove  a  forced  maintenance  either  under  the  law  or 
gospel,  but  they  were  freely  to  bring  it.  But  who  art 
thou  that  sayest  the  times  are  not  so  now?  Thee  1  de- 
ny, and  thy  ministry,  which  follows  the  times,  and  not 
Christ,  nor  the  saint's  practice  in  scripture;  stop  thy 
mouth  forever  being  counted  a  minister  of  Christ,  who 
art  not  content  with  his  allowance,  as  his  have  alwa}-? 


(  208  ) 


been,  for  God  is  not  changed,  nor  his  worship,  nor  vvoi  '^ 
shippers.  But  if  you  say  this  will  soon  bring  the  minis- 
ters to  be  poor,  I  say  you  know  not  God,  nor  iiis  care  for 
his,  who  so  argues;  for  never  was  the  righteous,  nor  that 
seed  begging  bread ;  against  that  desponding  mind  do  I 
bear  witness,  who  was  sent  out  without  bag  or  scrip,  or 
money,  into  the  most  brutish  parts  of  the  nation,  where 
none  knew  me,  yet  wanted  I  nothing.  In  prisons,  in 
beatings,  in  stonings,  in  mocking,  my  joy  I  would  not 
change  for  all  the  parsonages  in  the  world,  nor  shall 
any  hireling  partake  of  it. 

And  you  that  would  have  others  forced  to  maintain 
your  teachers,  but  would  not  be  forced  to  maintain  oth- 
ers who  differ  in  judgment,  though  nearer  the  scripture 
than  yours,  how  do  you  fulfil  the  law  of  Christ,  in  doing 
as  you  would  be  done  by?  What  is  this  but  to  lord  it 
over  the  conscience  of  your  brethren? 

2.  That  there  be  no  forcing  any  to  uphold  the  high 
places  of  the  nation,  seeing  that  many  that  truly  fear 
God,  cannot  worship  in  them,  without  sin;  but  that  lib- 
erty be  given  herein,  and  that  every  people  may  repair 
their  own  meeting-places.  I  know  many  out  of  a  blind 
zeal  to  those  places,  will  be  otfended  ;  but  what  is  that, 
by  which  you  would  not  do  to  others,  the  same  that 
you  would  have  them  do  to  you ;  is  that  reason,  equity, 
or  conscience?  Woud'st  thou  be  content  to  be  forced 
against  thy  conscience  to  repair  the  houses  of  others, 
which  they  meet  in  who  differ  from  thee  in  judgment, 
and  that  upon  good  ground  from  scripture,  who  meet  in 
private  or  hired  houses  for  conscience  sake,  refusing 
those  places  which  have  been  consecrated  to  idols. — 
And  if  you  look  upon  such  as  brethren  of  free-born  sub- 
jects, is  there  not  the  same  reason  in  it?  But  if  yoii 
say,  must  the  house  of  God  go  down?  I  answer,  hou- 
sesof  God  they  are  not,  convenience  is  the  best  you  can 
plead  for  them;  and  of  all  men,  you  who  stay  in  those 
houses,  have  least  cause  to  find  fault  with  such  as  ^o  out, 
seeing  they  leave  you  the  houses  you  so  much  esteem 
of,  wholly  to  yourselves,  with  all  that  belongs  to  them, 
and  you  have  them  for  repairing,  and  they  that  go  out. 
betake  themselves  either  into  the  fields,  private  houses, 
or  some  convenient  place,  not  chargeable  to  you. 


t   209  ) 


3.  That  there  be  no  forcing  any  to  swear,  who  make 
conscience  of  an  oath,  seeing  the  plain  commands  of 
Christ  and  his  apostles  do  so  often  forbid  it;  which  some 
dare  not  break  for  all  the  world,  who  are  come  unto  the 
everlasting  oath  and  covenant  of  God,  and  into  the  prac- 
tice of  the  saints,  which  never  used  any  such  things. — 
But  if  any  say,  how  should  true  evidence  be  had  in  mat- 
ters of  controversy  between  man  and  man,  that  true 
judgment  may  be  given?  I  answer, God  appointed  wit- 
nesses in  such  cases,  but  never  forced  them  to  swear. — 
In  the  old  covenant,  where  swearing  was  an  ordinance, 
how  much  more  now,  when  Christ  hath  said,  swear  not 
at  all?  But  if  any  say  men  will  not  matter  what  they 
say,  if  they  be  not  forced  to  swear;  I  answer,  such  will 
not  matter  what  they  swear  neither,  were  it  not  for  fear 
of  an  outward  law;  but  if  you  make  an  equal  punish- 
ment of  false  witness,  as  unto  imprisonment,  punish- 
ment, and  taking  away  life  or  estate,  or  whatever  should 
by  the  law  befal  the  person  accused,  (which  is  but  just) 
you  shall  soon  have  them  more  afraid  to  lie,  than  ever 
they  were  to  forswear,  and  hereby  come  to  cleanse  the 
land  of  all  false  accusers,  and  accusations;  swearing, 
and  forswearing. 

Thus  in  faithfulness  to  God,  and  in  love  to  you,  with 
whom  1  have  served  for  the  good  of  these  nations,  be- 
tween eight  and  nine  years,  counting  nothing  too  dear 
to  bring  the  government  into  your  hands  for  the  liberty 
of  free-born  men,  as  many  can  witness  with  me  herein. 
And  now  my  prayer  to  God  for  you  is,  that  you  may  lay 
down  all  your  crowns  at  his  feet,  who  hath  given  you  the 
victory;  that  so  the  Lord  being  setup  as  a  king  in  every 
conscience,  all  may  be  subject  for  conscience  sake;  and 
so  God  may  be  honoured  by  you,  and  the  hearts  of  his 
people  praise  him  on  your  behalf.  And  so  to  you  I  have 
unburthened  my  conscience  herein,  and  let  none  be  rash 
in  judging,  but  search  the  scriptures,  and  see  if  I  have 
not  laid  before  you  the  saint's  practice,  by  the  same 
spirit  bv  which  they  were  guided. 

Jamf.s  Nayler. 

27 


V  210  ) 


■a  word  to  you  magistrates  who  should  rule  toil  cod  i^•  this 
nation;  viiich  you  shall  witness  at  the  dreadful  day 
OF  account,  to  be  love  to  your  souls. 

That  you  all  wait  on  the  Lord,  and  in  his  light,  the 
spirit  of  judgment,  to  receive  from  God  who  hath  set 
you  in  your  places,  that  with  it  you  may  come  to  dis- 
cern and  judge  of  the  things  that  differ  now  in  this  day, 
when  God  is  getting  himself  a  name  in  the  earil>,  that 
so  you  may  be  one  with  the  Lord  in  his  work,  and  not 
against  it,  that  you  may  answer  the  end  of  your  calling, 
and  so  come  to  give  your  account  w^ithjoy,  and  receive 
your  reward  with  such  magistrates  of  wkich  you  reap 
in  the  scripture,  who  never  used  their  power  against 
God,  nor  his  work. 

That  you  all  take  heed  how  you  believe  reports  from 
self-ended  men  guided  by  corrupt  principles  against  the 
truth,  who  would  render  it  odious,  to  establish  their  de- 
ceit wherein  they  live,  and  so  you  be  found  fighters 
against  God ;  vqu  having  seen  what  he  hath  done  to 
those  who  withstood  him  before  you,  and  they  are  taken 
away,  and  you  are  set  up:  (Oh!  that  you  saw  the  hand 
by  which  it  is  done.)  Now  this  God  requires  at  your 
hands,  that  you  stop  not  his  work,  nor  binder  his  spirit- 
ual kingdom,  thereby  thinking  to  establish  your  own,  for 
which  you  see  he  hath  overthrown  kingdoms;  neither 
think  to  stop  the  truth,  by  putting  the  bodies  of  such 
where  it  is  risen,  into  holes  and  prisons,  for  hereby  you 
shall  but  (Pharaoh  like)  make  it  faster  to  grow,  and  in- 
crease your  own  plagues,  which  all  that  love  God,  would 
Jiave  his  creatures  to  escape. 

But  if  any  of  you  do  so  much  own  justice,  as  with  an 
honest  heart  you  say,  you  w  ould  not  have  a  hand  in  op- 
pressing the  truth  if  you  knew  it,  but  what  you  do  is  to  ^ 
stop  error;  and  you  hear  many  loud  cries  against  this 
way,  and  it's  every  where  evil  spoken  of;  and  some  say 
we  are  sent  from  Rome,  that  we  are  Jesuites,  Franciscan 
friars,  and  the  like.  To  such  magistrates  I  say,  you 
have  us  in  the  nation,  and  our  accusers,  and  we  have 
done  nothing  incomers;  let  us  be  called  before  you, and 
our  accusers,  and  if  so  we  be  proved,  let  us  suffer,  but  i|' 


^   211  ) 


not,  why  should  this  reproach  lie  upon  the  truth,  to  be  a 
stumbling  block  to  you.  But  if  it  be  said,  though  we  be 
free-born,  and  have  been  friends  to  the  truth,  and  to  the 
commonwe^ilth,  yet  now  we  are  turned  seducers,  and 
teach  errors,  kc.  To  that  I  say,  you  have  the  scriptures, 
which  show  the  saints  lives,  wherein  they  taught  and 
walked,  wherein  errors  was  judged.  This  I  say  with- 
out boasting,  for  clearing  the  truth; let  us  and  our  accu- 
sers come  face  to  face  before  you,  and  he  that  cannot 
own  the  scriptures,  and  the  saints  practice  therein  de- 
clared, as  they  stand,  without  resting,  thereby  to  be  tri- 
ed, their  life,  and  their  doctrine,  therewithal  let  him  be 
condemned ;  and  let  the  life  of  Christ,  and  all  that  fol- 
lowed him,  recorded  in  scripture,  be  witnessed  against 
such,  that  they  are  erred  from  the  doctrine  of  Christ, 
and  the  practice  of  the  saints,  and  therefore  are  anti- 
christs, and  their  saying  shall  not  cover  them.  So  may 
you  come  to  see  the  truth  cleared,  and  that  time  not 
evil  spent. 

But  for  those  of  you,  who  are  so  set  in  your  purposes 
against  us,  as  that  you  will  not  give  liberty  to  innocency 
to  clear  itself  before  you,  and  so  keep  you  clear  of  inno- 
cent blood,  and  that  because  of  hats,  and  bowing,  and 
such  things,  as  godly  magistrates  never  required,  nor 
they  that  follow  the  lamb  cannot  perform,  but  depart  out 
of  the  faith,  and  defile  their  consciences;  and  which 
things  are  not  against  justice,  righteousness,  mercy,  the 
well-being  of  the  nation.  I  say  to  such  a  magistrate, 
the  day  is  coming  on  apace,  that  thou  shalt  see  and  con- 
fess to  the  everlasting  words  of  Christ,  that  it  had  been 
better  for  thee  that  a  millstone  had  been  hanged  about 
thy  neck, and  thou  cast  into  the  sea;  than  to  have  been 
one  of  the  number  that  is  risen  to  oppose  the  king- 
dom of  Christ,  and  to  offend  his  little  ones;  though  all 
thou  canst  do,  shall  not  hinder  his  work.  He  that  cap 
receive  it,  let  him.  J.  N^^ 


(   212  ) 


THE  BOYAL  LAW  AND  COVENANT  OF    GOD,  WHAT,  AND  WHliKi; 
IT  IS,  AND  WHO  ARE   IN  IT;  AND  WHO  AKE 
REPROBATE  TO  THE  FAITH. 

As  many  as  are  led  by  the  spirit  of  God,  they  are  the 
sons  of  God,  who  are  begotten  of  the  royal  spirit,  not  of. 
the  earthly,  but  of  the  heavenly,  a  seed  separated  from 
the  world,  to  serve  in  spirit,  who  have  the  royallaw 
written  in  their  hearts,  and  the  royal  worship  in  spirit 
and  power,  which  are  of  the  royal  priesthood,  of  which 
the  spirit  of  the  world  makes  an  imitation,  from  the  lat- 
ter, the  words  spoke  by  them  who  were  of  the  royal 
seed,  but  know  not  the  spirit,  therefore  set  up  the  earthly 
spirit  to  worship,  contrary  to  the  royal  law,  which  is 
spiritual  and  pure  forever;  and  this  spirit  would  rule 
over  the  spirit  of  God,  which  makes  a  profession  of  the 
words  given  forth  by  the  spirit  of  God.  And  such  are 
you  as  make  laws  which  stand  in  respect  of  persons, 
where  self  is  eyed,  and  would  be  honoured.  And  by 
the  royal  law  are  you  condemned,  which  denies  respect 
of  persons,  and  leads  to  do  to  all  men  as  they  would  be 
done  unto;  and  upon  this  foundation  stands  all  the  law 
and  the  prophets. 

So  you  who  profess  the  law  and  the  prophets  words, 
and  set  up  respect  of  persons,  by  the  law  and  the  proph- 
ets words  you  are  judged,  and  your  partial  evil  thoughts, 
James  2.  And  your  profession  shall  arise  in  condemna- 
tion against  you,  and  from  all  that  have  the  faith  of 
Christ  are  you  condemned  ;  which  faith  cannot  be  where 
respect  of  persons  is,  John  v.  44.  James  2.  because  it 
stands  in  God,  who  respects  no  man's  person;  so  from 
the  foundation  of  God  you  are  found  out,  and  by  the 
royal  law  are  you  condenmed. 

And  all  you  that  count  the  proud  happy,  and  despise 
thp  poor,  are  against  the  royal  law:  and  all  you  who  do 
not  as  you  would  be  done  unto,  are  against  the  royal 
law.  And  all  you  that  say  and  do  not,  whose  heart 
teacheth  not  your  mouth,  are  out  of  the  royal  law,  and 
not  guided  by  that  spirit,  nor  of  that  priesthood,  nor 
doth  those  lips  preserve  knowledge,  but  all  such  darken 
counsel  by  words  without  knowledge,  and  know  not  the 


(   213  ) 


royal  law  of  God.  And  all  who  take  the  saints  words 
to  plead  against  the  saints  life  and  practice,  are  against 
the  royal  law,  and  the  royal  priesthood,  and  by  it  are 
judged  and  condemned;  and  by  it  are  seen  to  be  per- 
verters  of  the  scriptures;  using  them  to  draw  into  the 
imitations  and  traditions,  thereby  making  the  royal  law 
of  none  effect;  which  law  is  written  in  the  heart,  which 
is  before  tradition  was,  which  law  you  make  void,  who 
receive  not  your  law -giver,  whose  law  is  spiritual,  and 
so  is  his  priesthood,  and  so  is  his  judgment,  and  his 
kingdom  royal,  and  who  are  united  there  are  the  royal 
diadem,  joined  to  the  Lord  in  everlasting  covenant, 
married  in  the  spirit,  where  is  no  dissolution,  but  fruitful 
forever. 

But  all  you  who  respect  persons,  cast  the  royal  law 
of  God  behind  your  backs,  and  trample  it  under  your 
feet,  and  mame  it  of  none  effect.  And  all  you  that 
respect  persons,  are  transgressors,  and  committers  of 
sin,  and  judged  with  the  royal  law  of  liberty,  which 
saith,  so  speak,  and  so  do,  and  thou  shalt  love  thy 
neighbour  as  thyself;  and  if  you  do  so.  you  do  well; 
but  if  you  do  respect  mens  persons,  ye  commit  sin,  and 
are  convinced  of  the  law  as  transgressors,  and  you  that 
respect  him  that  wears  the  gay  clothing,  and  gold  ring, 
and  despise  the  poor,  ye  are  the  partial,  and  the  judgers 
with  the  evil  thoughts,  and  such  are  not  heirs  of  the 
kingdom  of  promise,  but  the  poor  despised,  rich  in 
faith;  who  are  in  the  law  of  liberty,  respect  no  man's 
person,  but  it  convinceth  all  that  do.  And  who  are  in 
the  faith,  without  respect  of  persons,  for  who  are  in 
respect  of  persons,  are  out  of  the  faith  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  and  such  are  reprobate  concerning  the 
faith,  being  filled  with  unrighteousness,  professing  they 
know  God,  but  in  works  they  deny  him,  worshipping  and 
serving  the  creature,  more  than  the  creator. 

James  Nayler. 


(  214  ) 


li)  ALL  VAIN  JANGLERS,  IMITATORS,  AND  LICENtlOUS  PERSONS,  WHO  ARE 
NOT  GLIDED  BY  THE  SAME  SPIRIT  THAT  GAVE  FORTH  THE  SCRIP- 
TURES, THE  OLD  serpent's  VOICE,  OR  ANTICHRIST  DISCOVERED, 
OPPOSING  CHRIST  IN  HIS  KINGDOM. 


By  one  who  desires  the  redemption  of  souls  out  of  satan's  wiles,  James 
Nayler. 

Cease  your  vain  janglings,  you  that  take  the  scrip- 
tures to  contend  with  against  the  truth,  but  live  in  yv>ur 
lusts;  with  a  vain  mind  do  you  contend  about  the  scrip- 
tures and  saints  conditions,  but  you  have  nought  to  do 
with  them,  you  unholy  ones;  for  holy  men  of  God  spake 
them  forth,  as  they  were  moved  by  the  holy  ghost;  and 
the  kingdom  of  God  consists  not  in  words,  but  in  power. 
Now  all  you  who  talk  of  the  scriptures  and  saints  con- 
ditions, but  live  not  in  them,  you  are  shut  out  of  the 
scriptures  and  kingdom  of  God,  and  are  in  the  kingdom 
of  the  world,  w^hose  kingdom  is  in  words,  but  not  in  life 
and  power,  who  saith  and  doth  not. 

You  have  long  covered  yourselves  by  talking  of  the 
scriptures,  and  professing  other  mens  conditions ;  but  now 
the  truth  is  appeared,  and  your  deceit  is  laid  open,  and 
your  covers  are  too  narrow,  for  words  can  no  longer 
hide  you,  for  the  righteous  judge  is  risen  to  reward  every 
one  after  their  works,  and  uot  after  their  words.  And 
you  workers  of  iniquity  of  all  sorts,  you  are  shut  out  of 
the  scriptures  and  kingdom  of  God,  you  that  live  in 
your  hearts  lusts,  and  in  your  own  wills.  And  you 
unholy  ones,  what  have  you  in  the  scriptures?  they 
belong  not  to  you,  for  they  were  holy  men  that  spoke 
them  forth.  And  you  that  are  led  by  your  carnal  wis- 
dom and  reason,  and  not  by  the  movings  of  the  holy 
ghost,  what  have  you  in  the  scriptures,  for  they  were 
given  forth  by  the  moveings  of  the  holy  ghost ;  and  they 
condemn  you  and  your  ways,  who  are  not  guided  by  the 
same  spirit  that  gave  them  forth. 

And  you  who  take  them  to  plead  for  sin,  and  live  in 
it,  \vhat  have  you  to  do  in  the  scriptures,  who  use  them 
quite  contrary  to  the  end  for  which  they  were  given 
forth?  for  they  were  given  forth  by  holy  men,  from  the 
holy  spirit,  for  holy  ends,  and  they  condemn  you  and 


(   215  ) 


your  practice,  and  you  are  shut  out  of  them,  who  would 
use  them  to  uphold  the  devil's  kingdom,  and  your  own 
lusts.  You  envious  scorners,  backbiters,  and  false  accu- 
sers, you  are  shut  out  of  the  scriptures,  and  they  con- 
demn you.  Swearers  and  liars,  the  scriptures  have  shut 
you  out,  and  by  them  you  are  codemned.  You  drunk- 
ards, gluttons,  whoremongers,  and  unclean  persons, 
what  have  you  to  do  to  talk  of  the  scriptures,  which 
holy  men  gave  forth,  they  witness  against  your  filthy 
practices. 

You  covetous  and  proud  oppressors,  yOu  are  out  of 
the  scriptures  and  saints  conditions,  and  are  found 
amongst  the  heathen:  you  fighters,  quarrellers  and  vio- 
lent persons,  who  live  in  strife  and  contention,  sueing  one 
another  for  carnal  things,  you  are  condemned  by  the 
scriptures,  and  shut  out  of  them.  You  wanton  lustful 
ones  who  live  to  the  flesh  in  your  sports  and  pleasures, 
you  are  witnessed  against  by  the  scriptures,  and  have 
no  right  in  them:  and  you  hypocritical  professors  of  all 
sorts  and  forms,  who  have  got  the  saints  words  and 
worship  in  notion  and  form,  but  live  not  the  life  of  saints, 
nor  led  by  that  spirit  that  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  and 
by  which  the  saints  were  guided  and  sanctified,  you  have 
nought  to  do  with  the  scriptures,  they  were  not  given 
out  to  imitate  and  jangle  upon,  but  to  be  fulfilled:  not 
to  talk  on  and  live  in  the  world's  ways,  words  and  cus- 
toms, and  fashions  in  your  own  wills,  lusts  and  pleasures, 
for  they  that  spoke  them  forth  were  come  out  of  the 
world,  and  did  witness  against  all  the  ways  and  worships 
of  it;  and  they  did  not  trade  with  other  mens  words 
from  the  letter,  as  some  of  you  do;  nor  did  they  worship 
by  imitating  other  mens  practice,  but  by  the  eternal 
spirit  were  they  guided  into  the  spiritual  worship,  and 
by  that  spirit  did  they  speak  forth  the  scripture  to  the 
world,  to  formal  professors,  and  to  such  as  had  denied 
the  world,  and  had  given  themselves  up  to  be  guided  by 
the  holy  spirit  ia  holy  ways:  and  they  spoke  their  own 
conditions,  and  their  own  measures,  holding  forth  to 
others,  what  they  had  received  of  God,  and  not  what 
others  had  received;  and  their  kingdom  stood  not  in 
words, but  in  power. 


(  216  ) 


And  here  are  you  shut  out  of  the  scriptures  and  then 
conditions,  who  say  and  do  not,  and  your  kingdom  is  in 
words,  and  not  in  life  and  power;  you  hypocrites,  and 
formal  imitators,  who  worship  by  what  you  imagine  and 
conceive  from  other  mens  words,  but  have  it  not  from 
the  same  spirit  that  they  had,  you  are  shut  out  of  the 
scriptures,  and  they  witness  against  you  and  your  ima- 
gined ways  and  worships.  You  that  preach,  and  pray, 
and  not  by  the  movings  of  the  spirit  of  God,  you  are 
shut  out  of  the  scriptures,  and  your  invented  words  and 
long  prayers  are  condemned  by  them  to  be  heathenish; 
and  all  your  ordinances,  your  singings  and  sacraments, 
which  are  not  in  the  same  spirit,  are  condemned  by  the 
scriptures;  and  whatever  you  do  in  your  worship  to 
God,  and  not  in  the  power  and  guiding  of  the  same  eter- 
nal spirit,  the  scriptures  witness  against  you  and  your 
worship,  and  declare  you  to  be  led  by  the  contrary  spirit, 
which  is  not  the  same,  and  you  are  among  the  heathen, 
who  worship  in  vain,  and  receive  no  acceptance  from 
God,  for  you  receive  for  doctrines  the  commandments  of 
men,  and  your  fear  towards  God  is  taught  by  the  pre-, 
cepts  of  men,  and  not  by  the  spirit,  and  what  you  have 
is  by  tradition;  and  here  you  are  shut  out  of  the  scrip- 
tures; wherefore  cease  your  tattling  of  other  mens  con- 
ditions out  of  the  scriptures,  and  see  what  right  your- 
selves have  in  them;  and  mind  to  see  what  you  are. 
and  what  the  saints  were,  and  apply  your  own  condi- 
tions to  yourselves,  and  not  other  mens,  nor  the  promi- 
ses that  belong  to  others.  And  cease  your  stealing,  you 
thieves,  that  have  found  out  other  ways  to  climb  up,  and 
not  in  at  the  door  by  which  the  saints  have  always  en- 
tered, for  all  that  come  in  at  the  door  witness  against 
you;  and  your  stealing  words  and  forms,  and  by  that 
spirit  that  leads  in  at  the  door,  are  you  discovered  to 
be  thieves,  and  judgment  is  coming  against  you,  and 
you  shall  restore  four-fold  for  all  you  have  stolen,  and 
shall  be  brought  to  poverty  for  all  your  riches,  and  your 
first,  shall  be  last  of  all. 

And  your  hirelings  and  parish  masters,  who  bear  rule 
by  your  means  over  your  hearers,  what  have  you  to  do 
to  talk  of  the  scriptures,  as  to  declare  the  statutes  of 


<   217  ) 

the  Almighty,  since  you  hate  to  be  reformed,  or  to  com« 
into  their  condition  that  gave  them  forth:  you  trade  in 
the  letter  for  gain,  but  are  not  conformable  to  them  that 
spake  it  forth;  it  was  not  given  forth  by  any  that  made 
a  gain  of  it  for  carnal  ends  to  get  riches;  no,  they  that 
gave  it  forth  bare  witness  against  your  generation,  to 
be  hirelings,  covetous,  proud,  boasters,  greedy  dumb 
dogs,  idol  shepherds  that  could  never  have  enough,  belly- 
gods,  such  whose  teachings  never  brought  any  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth;  ravening  wolves  in  sheep's 
clothing,  who  had  the  form  but  not  the  power.  Now 
what  have  you  to  do  with  the  saints  conditions  in  the 
scriptures,  to  talk  them  over  to  people  for  money,  you 
are  shutout  of  them;  cease  your  stealing  that  w^hich 
was  other  men's,  and  take  your  own  in  the  scriptures, 
which  are  the  woes  and  plagues  pronounced  against 
your  generation,  by  them  who  gave  forth  the  scripture, 
and  sell  that  to  your  hearers,  for  the  saints  conditions 
you  are  strangers  to,  and  you  have  no  inheritance  ia 
them,  but  are  found  without,  amongst  them  who  profes- 
sed the  letter,  but  were  enemies  to  that  spirit  that  gave 
it  forth;  and  you  are  found  doing  the  same  works  now, 
stirring  up  the  powers  of  the  earth  against  them  in 
whom  that  spirit  is  manifest;  as  did  your  fathers. so  do 
you,  and  fill  up  their  measure,  that  upon  you  may  come 
the  sufferings  of  all  the  holy  men  of  God. 

And  here  you  are  shut  out  of  the  scriptures,  and  are 
ignorant  of  that  spirit  that  gave  them  forth,  and  the  ends 
for  which  they  were  written ;  and  you  take  those  prom- 
ises that  were  given  to  holy  men,  and  you  apply  them 
to  such  as  live  in  filthiness;  and  those  scriptures  that 
were  written  to  warn  people  from  sin,  you  take  and 
wrest  to  make  people  believe  that  they  shall  never  be 
set  free  from  sin  while  they  live ;  anrl  thus  being  igno- 
rant of  that  spirit  that  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  you  are 
led  by  a  contrary  spirit,  and  so  contradict  the  holy  spirit : 
and  God  in  wisdom  hath  hid  the  mystery  of  the  scrip- 
ture from  that  spirit  that  acts  in  you,  and  hath  shut  it 
out,  and  you  with  it.  And  hence  it  is,  that  when  you 
meddle  with  the  scriptures,  you  are  in  such  confusion, 
and  set  one  scripture  against  another,  and  then  twine 

28 


(  218  i 


and  wrest,  and  add  to  your  own  invented  meanings  to 
i'econcile  them  again;  but  they  who  are  guided  by  the 
same  spirit  that  gave  them  forth,  see  your  folly,  and 
that  the  scriptures  are  at  unity,  and  so  are  all  that  come 
into  them,  to  live  the  life  of  them  in  their  measures,  but 
you  a;re  without  the  life  of  them,  and  your  kingdom 
stands  in  words  and  not  in  power,  and  therefore  is  con- 
fused, and  you  lead  into  confusion  all  that  follow  you. 
Wherefore  all  you  that  fear  the  Lord,  mind  not  words, 
but  the  power,  and  believe  not  men,  because  they  run 
rambling  up  and  down  the  scriptures,  but  see  what  right 
they  have  in  them,  which  is  no  more  than  they  live  the 
life  of  them,  for  while  you  follow  these,  you  are  kept  out 
of  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  feed  upon  words  and  wind, 
but  , the  kingdom  of  God  consists  not  in  words,  but  in 
power  and  life.  J.  N. 


THE  OLD  SEKPE^'T's  VOICE  ;  OR,  ANTICHRIST  DISCOVERED,  OPPOSING 
CHRIST  IN  HIS  KINGDOM. 

I  am  the  light  of  the  world,  saith  Christ,  he  that  fol- 
lows me  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the 
light  of  life;  that  is,  the  true  light  which  enlighteneth 
every  one  thatcometh  into  the  world.'' 

Saith  antichrist,  Christ  is  not  the  light  of  the  world, 
^  nor  doth  he  enlighten  every  one  that  cometh  into  the 
world,  for  that  light  which  lighteth  every  one  that  com- 
eth into  the  world,  is  not  the  light  of  Christ,  but  a  natu- 
ral light,  and  is  not  sufficient  to  lead  out  of  darkness  into 
the  light  of  life. 

Saith  God,  I  give  thee  for  a  covenant  to  the  people, 
for  a  light  to  the  gentiles,  and  to  them  that  sit  in  dark- 
ness, that  thou  mayest  be  my  salvation  to  the  ends  of 
the  earth.'' 

Saith  antichrist,  the  gentiles,  and  they  that  sit  in 
darkness,  have  not  the  light  of  Christ  given  to  them,  nor 
doth  this  light  reach  for  salvation  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  but  only  to  such  as  have  heard  the  gospel,  (which 
is  the  letter)  and  whom  I  have  taught  to  understand  the 
meaning  of  it  by  my  study  and  learning,'' 


a  Johns,  12.  John  1,9.   bUa.  42,6,  7.   c  Acts  13,  47. 


(   219  ) 

Saith  John,  he  that  commits  sin  is  of  the  devil,  and  foi 
this  purpose  was  the  son  of  God  manifest,  to  destroy 
the  works  of  the  devil/ 

Saith  antichrist,  yon  may  commit  sin  and  be  of  God, 
for  sin  (which  is  the  work  of  the  devil)  is  not  to  be  des- 
troyed in  this  world,  but  in  the  world  to  come,  for  all 
must  have  their  failings  while  they  are  here. 

Saith  Paul,  Christ  gave  himself  for  his  church,  that 
he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it,  and  present  it  to  him- 
self a  glorious  church,  without  spot  or  wrmkle,  or  any 
such  thing,  and  that  it  should  be  holy  without  blemish.'' 

Saith  antichrist,  that's  error  for  any  to  witness  to. 
such  attainments  in  this  world,  that  any  should  be  holy, 
glorious,  sanctified,  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing,  for  all  must  be  subject  to  sin  while  they  are  here, 
and  be  made  holy  and  glorious  after  death. 

Saith  Paul,  Christ  hath  by  i)ne  offering  forever  perfec- 
ted them  that  are  sanctified,  and  that  we  may  present 
every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesiis ;  and  for  that  end  did 
Christ  gift  and  send  out  his  ministers  for  the  perfecting 
of  the  saints,  and  to  bring  them  up  to  his  measure  and 
fulness." 

Saith  antichrist,  Christ  hath  perfected  none,  nor 
never  shall  any  be  made  perfect  while  they  live,  for  per- 
fection cannot  be  attained  to  till  after  death  in  another 
world. 

Saith  John,  he  that  saith  he  abideth  in  Christ,  ought 
himself  also  to  walk  even  as  he  walked;  herein  we 
may  have  boldness  in  the  day  of  judgment,  because  as 
he  is,  so  are  we  in  this  world ;  and  as  he  which  hath 
called  you  is  holy,  so  be  ye  holy  in  all  manner  of  con- 
versation. 

Saith  antichrist,  that's  error  for  any  to  witness  that 
holiness  that  was  in  Christ;  for  its  sufficient  that  he  was 
holy  in  his  own  person  before  he  ascended,  and  if  you 
can  but  believe  in  that  holiness  and  profess  it,  though 
you  never  come  to  possess  it,  yet  its  sufficient  to  cover 
all  your  sins  past,  present,  and  to  come,  and  it  were 
high  presumption  for  any  to  seek  to  be  partakers  of  that 


alJohn3,3.  b  Eph.  5,  25. 26. 27.  c  Heb.  in.  ]4  Col.l.2«.  Enb.  4,  11.  12. 1.1. 
lJohn2.6.   lJoKn4,;7.   1  Pet.  1,15. 


(  220  ) 


holiness  that  was  in  Christ,  or  to  be  like  him,  for  he  was 
the  son  of  God,  and  do  you  look  to  be  s>ons  of  God  ? 
That  were  high  presumption,  for  you  must  bear  the 
image  of  the  first  Adam  while  you  live  in  this  world, 
and  you  must  be  conformable  to  the  image  of  Christ  in 
another  world  after  death. 

Saith  Christ,  God  is  a  spirit,  and  he  will  be  worship- 
ped in  spirit  and  in  truth,  for  he  seeks  such  to  worship 
him.  And  you  (that  contend  about  places  and  forms) 
worship  you  know  not  what.  And  saith  Paul,  the  word 
is  nigh  in  the  heart  within,  and  God,  whom  you  are  to 
.worship,  ts  within;''  and  Christ  [the  ordinance  whom 
the  father  ordained  for  the  way  to  his  worship,  and  of 
whom  all  the  outward  ordinances  were  types]  is  within, 
and  is  the  substance  of  all  ordinances.'' 

Saith  antichrist,  you  must  con>e  to  the  house  of  God 
which  is  the  church,  for  it's  convenient,  and  was  builded 
for  that  purpose;  and  the  'ct:er  is  tiie  word  in  the  bible, 
and  not  in  the  heart;  and  expounding  and  preaching  this 
letter,  by  the  help  of  learning,  and  sprinkling  infants, 
and  singing  David's  conditions  in  rhyme  and  metre,  put- 
ting off  your  hats  when  you  sing,  these  are  the  ordi- 
nances, and  this  is  the  worship,  which  is  without,  in 
forms  and  customs,  and  not  that  which  is  within  in 
spirit. 

Saith  Paul,  you  may  all  prophecy  one  by  one,  that 
all  may  learn,  and  all  may  be  comforted;'  and  if  any 
thing  be  revealed  to  one  that  sits  by,  let  the  first  hold 
his  peace,  for  God  is  not  the  author  of  confusion,  but  of 
peace ;  and  the  spirits  of  the  prophets  are  subject  to  the 
prophets,  as  in  all  the  churches  of  the  saints, 

Saith  antichrist,  that  was  the  order  in  the  primitive 
times,  but  that  prophesying  is  now  ceased,  and  none 
shall  now  prophesy  but  such  as  are  men  of  learning,  and 
have  been  at  the  university,  and  have  tongues,  and  study 
to  fit  them  for  that  purpose,  and  have  received  orders 
cither  from  the  bishop,  or  are  approved  by  some  ap- 
pointed by  authority:  and  these  shall  be  masters,  and 
bear  rule  in  every  parish,  none  shall  reprove  or  contra- 
dict what  they  say  in  public,  nor  speak  any  thing  till 

aJohn  4,21,  22,23.   b  Rom.  10,  6,  7. 8.   lCor.3.   c  1  Cor.  14,31, 32,33- 


(  221  ) 


they  have  done,  notwithstanding  whatever  be  revealed 
to  any  that  sit  by,  tor  we  have  a  law,  and  by  that  law 
all  that  do  shall  be  imprisoned,  and  proceeded  against 
as  disturbers  of  the  peace/    And  though  it  was  the 
manner  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  to  go  into  the  temples 
and  synagogues,  disputing  and  alledging  against  them, 
who  held  up  outward  forms  of  worship  and  idols  tem- 
ples, and  thereby  gathered  people  out  from  them,  into 
the  inward  worship  in  spirit ;  proving  that  to  be  the  wor- 
ship of  God,  and  denying  all  other  worship,  yet  these 
times  are  not  as  those  were;  for  now  people  are  all  bap- 
tized and  believers,  and  do  profess  Christ  to  be  come, 
suffered  and  ascended,  and  what  need  any  further?  And 
we  do  not  believe,  that  any  now  have  the  same  spirit 
that  Christ  and  his  apostles  had,  nor  the  same  com- 
mands; for  they  had  an  immediate  call  from  God,  which 
none  now  have;  and  though  they  have  never  such  a  call, 
yet  let  them  not  trouble  us  in  our  devotion,  but  keep 
them  with  their  own  disciples;  for  we  care  for  no  such 
company ;  and  we  do  not  come  at  them,  and  therefore 
why  should  they  trouble  us,  and  come  to  draw  our  hear- 
ers from  us,  and  from  the  manner  of  worship  we  and 
our  fathers  have  lived  in  these  many  years;  and  they 
are  ill  suffered  in  the  nation,  to  sow  division  between 
the  people  and  their  ministers,  by  telling  of  our  lythes 
and  set  maintenance,  and  that  we  ought  to  preach  free- 
ly a?the  apostles  did .    And  thus  they  seek  not  only  our 
undoing,  but  our  wives  and  children  after  we  be  dead. 

Saith  God,  I  will  make  a  new  covenant  with  you,  and 
you  shall  not  teach  one  another,  saying,  know  the  Lord; 
for  all  shall  know  me  from  the  least  to  the  greatest,  for  I 
will  write  my  law  in  their  hearts,  and  put  it  in  their  in- 
ward parts,  and  they  shall  be  all  taught  of  God.** 

Saith  antichrist,  your  law  is  the  letter  without  and  not 
in  the  heart,  neither  shall  any  know  God,  or  his  will,  but 
by  this  rule  without  in  the  letter,  of  which  I  am  a  teach- 
er, and  by  my  meanings  and  expositions  of  it,  shall  you 
come  to  know,  all  that  is  to  be  known  of  God,  and  his 
will  in  this  world,  for  the  immediate  teachings  of  God 
are  ceased,  and  never  any  heard  the  voice  of  God  since 


a  Acts  17  ^    b  Heb,  310, 11    John  6. 45. 


(   222  ) 

the  apostles,  nor  need  any  to  look  for  it  any  more,  for 
this  teaching  of  mine  is  all  that  ever  will  be,  and  it  is 
to  continue  to  the  end  of  the  world ;  and  all  that  deny 
it,  or  to  be  ordered  by  it,  are  hereticks,  and  are  not  to  be 
suffered  to  live  in  the  world. 

Saith  Christ,  call  no  man  master  upon  earth,  neither 
be  ye  called  master;  for  one  is  your  master, even  Christ 
and  ye  are  all  brethren;  and  if  any  man  will  be  great- 
est among  you,  let  him  be  servant  to  all ;  for  it  is  the 
heathen  that  exercise  authority,  but  with  you  it  shall 
not  be  so.* 

Saith  antichrist,  that  was  spoken  concerning  the 
pride  of  the  Ph  .  risees;  but  you  call  me  master,  for  I  do 
not  delight  in  it  (in  pride)  yet  it  is  fit  there  should  be  dis- 
tinctions of  persons  amongst  men,  for  thereby  are  people 
governed;  and  its  the  fashion  of  the  country,  and  hereby 
you  show  your  breeding  and  manners;  and  though  God 
did  forbid  us  to  bow  to,  or  worship  any  but  himself  alone, 
or  to  have  the  faith  of  Christ  in  respect  of  persons,  for 
their  pride  of  riches;^  yet  this  is  not  as  theirs  was,  for 
this  is  but  a  civil  respect  in  our  bowing  and  worshipping, 
and  it's  but  to  differ  tliem  that  are  rich  from  the  poor; 
and  how  can  they  bear  rule  without  it?  And  it's  de- 
cent, and  of  a  good  report  in  the  world,  and  the  custom 
of  the  nation;  and  it's  a  reproach  for  any  to  deny  it. — 
And  as  for  religion  and  obedience  to  God,  it  consists  not 
in  such  trivial  things  as  these  are,  that  may  be  done  or 
undone. 

Saith  God,  thou  shalt  not  covet;  and  covetousness  let 
it  not  be  once  named  amongst  you,  as  becometh  saints, 
for  it  is  idolatry;  and  let  your  conversation  be  without 
covetousness,  and  be  content  with  such  things  as  you 
have,  for  he  said,  1  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake 
thee." 

Saith  antichrist,  thou  must  live  by  thy  wits,  that  God 
hath  given  thee,  and  this  is  not  covetousness,  but  a  prov- 
ident care;  and  he  that  will  not  provide  for  his  family 
is  worse  than  an  infidel ;  and  if  thou  standest  to  wait 
upon  God,  and  dost  not  help  thyself  by  thy  wits,  both 
thou  and  thine  may  be  poor  enough:  therefore  first  lay 


aMat.  23.  8,10,11.    b  James  2.  10, 11.   cEph.5.3.   Col.  3.  5.    Heb.  13^, 


(   223  ) 


up  tor  thyself  and  children,  that  you  need  not  fear  want^ 
and  then  take  thy  rest,  and  thou  mayest  have  time  to 
serve  God,  and  thy  riches  need  not  hinder  thee,  but  fur- 
ther thee  in  his  service. 

Saith  Christ,  no  man  knows  the  father  but  the  son, 
and  he  to  whom  the  son  reveals  him.  And  I  thank  thee, 
O  father!  that  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wis& 
and  prudent,  and  revealed  them  to  babes.'' 

Saith  antichrist,  that  was  in  the  time  of  Christ  and 
his  apostles,  and  then  none  knew  the  father,  nor  the 
things  of  the  kingdom  of  God  but  by  revelation,  but 
now  all  revelations  are  come  to  an  end,  and  none  need 
to  look  for  them  any  more;  for  it  is  now  only  they  that 
have  wisdom,  prudence,  and  learning,  that  know  God, 
and  the  things  of  his  kingdom,  as  much  as  is  to  be  known 
in  these  days.  And  all  that  would  be  wise,  or  religious, 
or  would  know  any  more  than  their  neighbours,  must 
come  to  them  to  learn ;  for  they  have  books  and  studies, 
and  the  judgment  of  ancient  fathers,  and  philosophers, 
how  they  came  to  know  the  things  of  God;  and  these 
are  more  like  to  know  God  and  his  secrets,  than  babes 
and  fools. 

Saith  Christ,  the  harvest  is  great, but  the  labourers  are 
few;  pray  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  that  he 
may  send  forth  labourers  into  his  vineyard.** 

Saith  antichrist,  that  was  in  the  primitive  times,  when 
there  weve  but  few  believed;  and  then  there  was  no 
christian  magistrate,  to  take  care  for  propagating  the 
gospel;  and  the-n  they  had  their  immediate  call  from 
God  himself,  and  they  heard  his  voice,  and  left  all  and 
followed  Christ,  and  had  their  commission  from  God, 
and  needed  none  from  men;  but  what  a  vain  thing  were 
it  to  think  for  such  a  call  now,  as  is  immediate?  That 
were  to  look  for  a  miracle;  but  there  is  a  mediate  call 
now,  by  which  all  are  called  by  commission  from  men; 
and  such  axe  called  as  are  found  fitted  for  that  purpose, 
and  have  learning,  are  able  to  answer  school  questions, 
and  have  logic,  and  philosophy,  and  can  dispute,  and 
resolve  doubts  and  questions,  and  they  to  whom  God 
hath  given  all  the  power  now,  think  it  not  fit  to  choose  or 


•a Mat.  11. 25, 27,  b  Mat- 9.37, 38. 


(  224  ) 


suffer  such  as  God  and  Christ  did  choose,  as  fishermeiu 
herdsmen,  and  ploughmen,  and  such  hke,  who  have  not 
learning,  and  the  original  tongues:  for  when  God  did 
choose  such  in  old  times,  he  furnished  them  with  his  own 
spirit  instead  of  learning;  but  what  a  ridiculous  thing 
would  it  be  to  look  for  such  gifts  now,  when  all  are  be- 
lievers, and  here  are  so  many  learned  men  in  the  nation 
to  choose  out  of?  And  here  is  no  need  of  such  extra- 
ordinary calls  or  gifts  in  these  times,  as  was  then;  for 
when  Christ  ascended,  he  gave  gifts  unto  men,  and  ap- 
pointed officers,  and  left  it  them  to  appoint  others ;  and 
so  one  to  appoint  another  to  the  end  of  the  world:  and 
he  himself  is  set  down  at  the  right  hand  of  God  in 
Heaven,  and  meddles  not  with  it:  and  so  the  apostles 
made  bishops,  and  the  bishops  became  popes,  and  the 
popes  made  cardinals,  and  they  inferior  bishops,  and 
those  became  lord-bishops,  and  they  made  parsons, 
vicars  and  curates,  and  they  are  now  become  ministers, 
pastors,  teachers;  and  so  my  ministers  can  derive  their 
ordination  by  succession  from  the  apostles ;  and  what 
matter  is  it  for  the  errors  of  the  pope  and  bishops,  that's 
not  as  they  were  ministers,  but  men? 

Saith  Christ  to  his  ministers,  freely  ye  have  received, 
freely  give;  make  no  provision  for  your  journey,  neither 
take  thought  what  to  eat  or  drink,  or  what  to  put  on; 
for  the  life  is  more  than  food,  and  the  body  more  than 
raiment;  and  your  heavenly  father  knows  what  ye  stand 
in  need  of;  and  the  workman  is  worthy  of  his  meat.' 

Saith  antichrist,  it's  true,  they  that  received  freely 
might  well  preach  freely,  but  those  free  gifts  are  now 
ceased,  and  none  come  now  to  the  ministry  so  easily,  but 
are  at  great  charge,  they,  or  their  friends,  in  learning  at 
schools  and  universities;  and  if  they  must,  when  they 
have  been  at  all  this  cost,  preach  freely,  then  who  will 
bring  up  any  to  be  ministers?  And  now  they  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  mystery  of  godliness  by  much 
study,  and  they  must  have  abundance  of  books;  and  all 
this  cannot  be  done  without  preaching  freely.  And  be- 
sides, in  those  times  of  the  apostles  they  must  needs 
preach  freely,  for  there  was  no  believing  magistrates,  to 

%  Mat.  10. 8, 9. 10,  Luke  12. 32, 23,29, 30. 


(   225  ) 


establish  them  in  tithes,  or  such  benefits  as  is  now;  and 
if  they  would  have  had  such  things  then,  there  was  no 
law  to  get  them  by;  but  we  have  ours  established  by  a 
law,  and  by  the  law  of  the  nation  do  we  demand  them, 
and  not  from  the  apostles  example; and  whoever  denies 
to  pay  them,  denies  the  law  and  the  magistrates,  and 
therefore  deserves  to  suifer  by  the  law;  and  though 
such  suffer  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  yea,  the  treble 
value  of  their  tithes, yet  rhey  suffer  as  evildoers. 

Saith  God,  thou  shalt  not  add  any  thing  to  the  words 
that  I  command  thee,  neither  shalt  thou  diminish  any 
thing  therefrom ;  for  every  word  of  the  Lord  is  pure, 
and  he  that  adds  thereto  shall  be  reproved,  and  found 
a  liar ;  and  he  that  adds  to  the  words  of  this  book,  I  will 
add  to  him  all  the  plagues  written  therein;  and  he  that 
takes  ought  therefrom,  I  will  raze  his  name  out  of  the 
book  of  life.^ 

Saith  antichrist,  the  scriptures  are  a  mystery,  and  are 
given  out  darkly,  and  none  can  understand  them  as  they 
are  given  out,  for  the  scripture  is  not  to  be  taken  as  it 
speaks,  but  according  to  the  meaning  of  it ;  which  mean* 
ings  are  known  to  none  but  the  learned,  and  are  found 
out  by  comparing  one  scripture  with  another;  ane  by  ad- 
ding to  them,  or  taking  from  them,  they  come  to  be  re- 
conciled, and  the  meanings  found  out,  which  cannot  be 
by  any  other  means;  and  therefore  they  who  ard  to  ex- 
pound the  scriptures,  must  have  the  help  of  learning, 
books  and  studies;  and  by  comparing  the  judgment  of 
learned  fathers  one  with  another,  the  best  expositions 
of  scripture  are  found  out,  and  owned,  and  all  the  rest 
refused.  And  this  cannot  be  done  but  by  adding  or 
diminishing;  for  none  can  infallibly  say  what  is  truth, 
but  every  one  must  declare  it  as  he  conceives  and  ima- 
ginethof  it. 

Saith  Christ,  in  the  old  time  it  was  said,  thou  shalt  not 
f(»rswear,  for  in  the  old  covenant  swearing  in  truth  was  an 
ordinance  of  God,  but  I  say,  swear  not  at  all ;  for  what  is 
more  than  yea  and  nay  cometh  of  evil.  And  the  apostle, 
who  was  come  into  the  new  covenant,  and  did  witness 
the  oath  of  God  fulfilled,  said,  above  all  things,  my 


»Deut.4.2.  Pro.  30. 6,  Rev.  2. 18. 

29 


(   226  ) 


brethren,  swear  not  any  oath  whatsoever,  lest  ye  fall  into 
temptation.* 

Saith  antichrist,  you  may  swear  the  truth,  and  you 
will  be  believed  the  better;  and  for  petty  oaths,  it's  not 
so  great  a  sin,  and  what  needs  so  much  strictness?  And 
if  God  should  take  vengeance  for  every  oath,  who  should 
be  saved?  And  what  is  become  of  all  your  forefathers, 
who  were  not  so  scrupulous?  Are  they  all  damned?- 
And  what  if  you  be  commanded  to  swear  by  the  powers 
of  the  world,  will  you  disobey  them  because  Christ  for- 
bids it?  For  though  the  apostle  forbids  the  saints  to 
swear  at  all,  yet  Paul  saith,  men  verily  swear  by  the 
greater,  and  an  oath  to  them  is  an  end  to  all  strife. 

And  thus  antichrist  brings  the  practice  of  men,  who 
live  in  the  world's  customs,  to  be  binding  to  the  saints; 
as  though  Paul,  by  bringing  a  comparison  from  the  prac- 
tice of  men  of  the  world,  did  contradict  the  commands 
of  Christ,  and  the  rest  of  the  apostles. 

And  thus  the  serpent,  who  deceived  man  at  the  first, 
by  contradicting  what  God  had  said  to  Adam,  doth  still 
keep  man  in  the  fall  by  the  same  way;  and  this  is  that 
man  of  sin,  the  son  of  perdition,  which  opposeth  God  in 
what  he  saith,  that  thereby  he  may  plead  for  sin.  And 
thus  he  letteth,  and  keeps  from  the  obedience  to  God, 
yea,  and  will  let  till  he  betaken  out  of  the  way:  but  he 
is  now  revealed  by  the  brightness  of  the  appearance  of 
Christ  in  his  saints,  and  can  be  hid  no  longer,  and  shall 
be  destroyed  by  the  sword  of  his  mouth.'' 

Now  consider  this,  priest  and  people,  that  oppose  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  and  plead  for  sin,  some  by  preaching 
and  printing,  some  by  persecuting  with  clubs,  stones  and 
prisons,  some  by  railing,  lying  and  false  accusing,  some 
by  mocking  and  scorning.  And  now  you  are  discovered 
by  the  light  of  Christ  in  all  who  are  guided  by  it,  to  be 
those  whom  the  God  of  this  world  hath  blinded ;  and 
you  know  not  what  spirit  you  are  of,  neither  can  you  see 
what  it  is  that  acts  you  thus  in  rage  against  the  appear- 
ance of  Christ  in  purity,  and  move  you  to  stand  up  for 
the  kingdom  of  sin,  against  those  whom  Christ  hath 
sent  out  to  cry  out  against  it,  and  to  foretell  the  destruc- 


a  Mat.5. 33,  34, 35, 36,  37.  James  5. 14.  b  2  The5s. Z  3. 


(  227  ) 


tion  of  it,  and  all  that  uphold  it:  wherefore  repent, and 
turn  in  your  eye  to  that  in  your  conscence  which  is  the 
light  of  Christ,  to  let  you  see  what  you  are  doing,  and 
whom  you  stand  for,  that  so  you  may  be  led  no  longer 
by  that  spirit  of  opposition,  but  may  cast  down  your 
crowns  at  the  feet  of  the  lamb,  who  is  now  arisen  to 
take  the  kingdom,  lest  he  take  you  away  with  his 
grievous  stoke;  for  if  he  fall  upon  you,  he  will  grind  you 
to  pieces.  Fear  the  Lord,  ye  heathen,  who  call  your- 
selves christians,  but  know  not  God  and  his  power:  re- 
pent while  you  have  time,  now  you  are  discovered  and 
^yarned.  J.  N. 


SALUTATION 

TO  THE 

8EED  OF  GOD: 

And  a  call  out  m  Babylon,  and  Egypt,  from  amongst  tbe  magicians,  where 
the  house  of  boridage  is,  and  the  imaginations  rule  abore  the  seed  of 
God,  the  cause  of  all  blindness  and  condemnation. 

Also  that  which  is  perfect  made  manifest,  even  everlasting  righteousness, 
which  endures  for  all  generations,  who  will  receive  it,  and  believe  there- 
in, which  is  Sion's  glory,  Christ  with  his  life  and  power  made  manifest  in 
mortal  flesh. 

With  tlie  way  to  him,  set  forth  mostly  for  such  as  groan  for  freedom  from 
the  power  of  sin;  but  may  be  serviceable  to  all  who  love  his  appearance. 

Also  a  testimony  from  Christ,  what  he  is  in  this  world,  and  where  he  is; 
written  to  such  as  are  imagining  such  a  Christ  as  they  would  have,but  can- 
not receive  the  same  that  is  from  the  beginning,  and  in  his  owa  way  man- 
ifest. 

Also  a  suit  of  such  rulers,  magistrates,  and  governors,  as  have  not  wholly 
hardened  their  hearts,  and  stop  the  ear  against  the  voice  of  the  spirit, 
that  they  may  hear,  and  their  souls  may  live,  and  be  established  a  bless- 
ing to  the  nations. 

Written  in  love  to  all  your  souls,  by  him  who  is  called 
James  Nayler. 


We  have  found  him  whom  our  souls  love; 

And  greater  is  he  in  us,  than  be  that's  in  tbe  world. 


A  SALUTATION  TO  THE  SEED  OF  GOD,  &C. 

Arise^  shine  forth,  thou  seed  of  the  covenant,  to 
which  the  promise  is,  for  thy  glory  is  come ;  and  with 
judgment  is  the  Lord  arisen  to  redeem  his  chosen,  and 
all  that  turn  to  him  shall  be  covered  with  righteousness, 
even  that  which  before  the  world  was,  and  above  all 
the  world  is,  which  is  perfect  for  evermore. 

Put  off  your  rags  you  that  have  covered  yourselves 
with  your  wisdom,  and  let  that  which  is  imperfect  be 
done  away.  How  long  will  it  be  e're  you  hearken  to 
the  Lord,  that  you  may  partake  of  the  best,  and  receive 
of  the  Lord  freely,  that  your  souls  may  be  satisfied,  that 
no  leanness  there  may  be,  nor  crying  out  of  wants.  Cau 


the  Lord  be  pleased  with  that  righteousness,  which  that 
of  God  in  your  consciences  declares  to  he  imperfect? 
Or  will  he  accept  that  which  is  none  of  his  own?  Con- 
sider of  this,  you  professors  of  the  nation,  who  pray,* 
and  weep,  and  seek,  but  find  not  that  which  gives  peace, 
nor  reconciles  you  to  God.  Without  faith  in  Christ  it's 
impossible  to  be  wcll-pleasing  to  God, who  is  your  peace ; 
and  that's  not  faith  in  Christ  that  lays  hold  of  an  im- 
perfect righteousness,  for  that's  your  own:  but  that's 
the  righteousness  of  God,  which  by  faith  in  Christ  alone 
IS  freely  received,  and  the  least  measure  is  perfect. 
This  is  the  gift  that  comes  from  above,  which  takes  up 
the  creature  above  all  other.  That  which  we  have  re- 
ceived we  declare,  and  we  can  do  no  other,  for  in  him  is 
our  glory,  and  this  is  and  will  be  our  boldness  in  the  day 
of  judgment,  that  as  he  is,  so  are  we  in  this  world,  here- 
in is  our  love  perfected  inhim,  because  we  are  of  him, 
and  one  w4th  him,  in  his  righteousness;  and  that  meas- 
ure we  have  of  it  is  freely  curs  without  upbraidiijg.  and 
an  inheritance  we  have  in  it,  wherefore  we  leave  all  to 
follow  him  who  is  our  fulness,  and  cannot  but  call  to  all 
who  love  their  souls  to  come  to  us,  knowing  his  freeness. 

And  your  labour  is  to  no  purpose,  yuu  who  are  kin- 
dling sparks,  with  which  we  have  lain  long  in  sorrow, 
and  we  know  the  end  of  your  labour,  and  your  fruit  is 
cursed,  though  in  the  sweat  of  your  brows  you  bring  it 
forth;  all  you  that  say  you  must  do  what  you  can,  and 
Christ  will  do  the  rest;  you  must  do  some,  and  Christ 
must  do  other  some;  this  is  your  own  way,  and  not  the 
way  of  God;  for  here  the  linsy-woolsy  garment  is  seen, 
which  is  forbidden;  for  in  the  way  of  God,  Christ  is  all, 
in  all ;  but  here  is  part  in  you,  and  part  in  him,  [as  you 
imagmej^nd  you  are  two,  and  there  is  sin,  for 'while  you 
live,  sin  lives,  and  if  we  say  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive 
ourselves,  and  have  not  the  truth  in  us:  but  where  he 
alone  lives  there  is  no  sin;  for  the  life  of  Christ  is  the 
death  of  sin,  as  it  is  manifest,  and  for  this  purpose  we 
know  he  was  manifest  to  take  away  our  sins,  and  in 
him  is  no  sin,  for  by  the  appearance  of  his  life  are  we 
translated  into  his  likeness,  which  is  our  boldness,  and 
ho.  that  hath  this  hope,  purifies  himself  even  as  he  is 


(  230  ) 


pure ;  for  we  see  him  as  he  is,  our  life,  our  hope,  our 
strength  and  way,  which  is  pure,  and  perfect;  and  a,s 
he  is,  so  he  makes  our  way  perfct;  and  this  is  our 
peace,  that  we  have  nothing  but  what  we  have  received, 
and  it  is  his  own,  and  he  cannot  deny  himself,  who  is 
faithful,  and  with  his  faithfulness  are  we  made  faithful 
to  him;  and  the  least  measure  of  him  which  comes  from 
above,  is  present  power,  and  in  him  we  move  and  have 
our  being,  where  nothing  is  impossible.  The  day  of  his 
power  is  come  whereby  we  are  made  willing,  in 
whose  will  his  people  ever  took  pleasure;  and  whatev- 
er he  doth  is  good  for  us,  and  his  wonderoiis  works  we 
see,  which  have  been  told  of,  hovv  with  his  own  arm  he 
takes  the  kingdom  in  us,  which  so  much  we  talked  on 
when  we  did  not  know  him,  nor  his  power,  but  [with 
you]  put  the  good  day  far  off  us  to  another  generation, 
when  the  Lord  was  near  us,  though  we  did  not  know 
him,  but  looked  for  the  kingdom  of  God  without  us, 
which  was  within  us  unregarded,  therefore  did  we  sit 
down  in  sorrow,  being  out  of  that  way,  where  rest  was 
placed,  and  did  not  see  him  who  was  afore  ordained  for 
good  works,  wherein  we  should  walk,  in  which  by  him 
we  should  be  exercised,  therefore  we  could  never  come 
to  be  satisfied,  but  our  conscience  still  accusing  us,  in 
our  best  performances,  yea,  fears  and  doubtings  were 
our  best  condition;  yet  were  we  like  the  false  prophets 
speaking  peace  one  to  another,  where  God  had  not 
spoken  peace  in  our  conscionces;  thus  healing  the  hurt 
deceitfully,  as  the  world  at  this  day  is  doing,  crying 
peace,  when  the  bonds  of  iniquity  are  still  standing, 
and  you  are  servants  in  evil  works,  where  the  prince  of 
this  world  is  ruler  and  guide:  and  what  peace  can  you 
have  while  that  kingdom  stands,  and  you  in  it?  And 
this  kingdom  must  stand  till  his  power  be  known  who  is 
appointed  to  take  it,  and  bind  the  prince  of  it. 

Wherefore  come  out  of  death  all  that  will  have  life, 
and  make  no  longer  covenant  with  it.  How  can  you 
prevail  [who  take  the  serpent's  counsel]  to  overcome  the 
devil's  kingdom?  And  this  you  do,  who  search  into  the 
Uiings  of  God  with  your  fallen  wisdom;  so  are  you  kept 
in  labour  to  no  purpose,  never  can  get  from  under  the 


(  231  ) 


works  of  condemnation,  therefore  you  conclude,  Hone 
can  ever  come  to  be  wholly  free  while  they  live,  and  so 
make  the  blood  of  Christ  of  none  effect,  which  we  do 
witness  doth  cleanse  from  all  sin,  and  he  saves  to  the 
uttermost  all  that  come  unto  God  by  him;  the  thing 
which  Hagar's  seed  doth  most  oppose,  and  scoff  at,  but 
that  wherein  we  triumph  above  the  world,  and  image 
makers,  that  our  God  is  a  saviour  from  that  which  none 
can  be  free  from  who  are  without  him,  though  they  make 
many  likenesses  of  him  from  the  letter,  the  form  without 
the  power,  'tis  to  no  purpose. 

Take  notice  you  several  sorts  of  worshippers,  who 
worship  a  God  afar  off  whom  you  know  not;  which  if 
you  did,  there  would  not  be  so  much  contention  about 
him,  what  he  is,  and  the  way  of  his  worship:  nor  can 
you  know  him  till  he  be  revealed  in  you;  nor  can  he  be 
known  in  you,  but  as  you  come  to  be  cleansed,  for  with 
him  dwells  no  uncleanness.  Thus  you  that  plead  for 
your  sins,  plead  against  your  own  souls,  which  cannot 
be  satisfied  but  by  his  presence,  who  is  not  seen  present 
where  sin  is  standing. 

And  by  unbelief  do  you  cut  your  souls  off,  while  you- 
say  you  can  never  be  cleansed  till  after  you  be- dead; 
here  hath  the  devil  deceived  you,  and  so  far  prevailed 
with  you,  to  enter  into  covenant  with  him,  while  you  live 
to  serve  him.  And  being  blinded,  this  you  know  not, 
that  you  have  made  covenant  with  hell  and  death,  which 
by  God  is  cursed  and  troubled :  that  I  know  and  own,  that 
troubles  your  peace,  and  sets  you  on  seeking;  but  the 
way  you  seek  is  from  another  principle,  which  is  selfish, 
and  shall  never  obtain  peace  for  you. 

He  that  troubles  all  that's  out  of  his  way,  guides  and 
gives  peace  to  all  in  his  way;  the  same  is  a  spirit  the 
world  knows  not,  blows  where  it  listeth,  therefore  never 
found  but  in  his  own  way  and  will:  you  who  seek  him  in 
the  will  of  man,  there  cannot  find  him;  nor  can  your 
minsisters  made  by  the  will  of  man  tell  you  of  him, 
where  he  is,  or  the  way  to  him ;  for  the  new  birth  is  not 
born  of  that  generation,  nor  of  that  will,  nor  of  that 
seed  is  it  begotten,  therefore  not  known  to  them;  there- 
fore they  theraseives,  with  all  their  seeking,  not  having 


(  232  ) 


found  him,  can  do  no  less  than  tell  you,  that  he  will 
never  appear  more  to  his  people,  that  which  is  written 
is  all  the  word,  and  what  others  have  seen  is  all  the 
knowledge  that  any  need  ever  to  look  for,  while  the 
world  continues;  and  what  others  have  done,  that's  all 
you  have  to  talk  on  for  your  righteousness. 

And  thus  the  way  of  God's  walking  and  working  in 
his  people,  is  wholly  excluded  from  the  face  of  the 
earth.  And  a  faith  you  have  devised  and  set  up  be- 
sides it,  if  not  wholly  against  it;  so  that  now  to  witness 
good  works  is  counted  popery,  [though  all  that  come  to 
God  are  fore-ordained  to  walk  therein,  and  to  that  end 
new-created.] 

Thus  are  not  men  afraid  to  deny  the  work  of  God 
and  his  ris^hteousness,  and  yet  say  you  are  his  workman- 
ship, and  that  you  are  in  God  and  Christ,  but  out  of  his 
works,  and  must  be  in  the  works  of  the  devil,  yet  God  is 
your  father ;  yet  in  this  confusion  none  must  tell  you,  that 
you  are  in  Babylon,  for  then  you  say  they  judge  you ;  nor 
that  they  that  teach  you  thus  are  ministers  of  antichrist, 
for  that  you  call  railing;  though  to  such  the  spirit  of 
Christ  hath  ever  used  it. 

Thus  hath  the  devil  set  up  his  work,  and  fenced  it 
with  the  name  of  the  highest  faith  in  the  world  ;  and  who 
is  under  this  faith,  though  they  sin,  yet  they  say,  they  can 
never  fall  finally,  nor  totally,  [though  the  whole  man  be 
found  in  the  action]  nor  is  your  sins  like  others,  because 
you  say  you  are  believers,  though  both  they  and  you  are 
in  one  action  and  nature.  So  that  faith  which  you  pro- 
fess is  become  a  defence  for  sin:  but  our  faith  is  that 
which  overcomes  sin,  and  so  to  the  good  work  is  not 
reprobate.  And  thus  you  set  up  a  profession  without 
power.  But  did  you  mind  the  light  of  Christ  that  never 
changes,  by  it  to  be  taught  in  spirit,  these  deceits  would 
soon  be  discovered,  and  you  could  not  walk  in  darkness, 
by  which  light  we  see  that  he  that  commits  sin  is  of  the 
devil,  and  is  fallen  from  God,  whatever  be  his  profession ; 
and  there  can  be  no  greater  fall  than  to  fall  [from  that 
which  should  keep  him]  into  the  devil's  power,  to  act 
according  to  the  devil's  movings,  and  to  bring  forth  his 
begetting,  and  such  we  know  are  his  children. 


(  233  ) 


With  the  light  we  see  that  he  that  is  in  the  way  of 
God  is  in  holiness,  and  he  that  is  not,  is  in  the  way  of 
the  devil ;  and  that  he  that's  in  God,  is  out  of  self,  and 
there  sin  is  blotted  out  and  forgotten ;  but  he  that's  i 
self,  is  in  sin,  though  he  be  praying,  or  ploughing:  with  it 
we  see  the  life  of  Christ  is  pure,  and  who  lives  any  other 
life  it's  polluted,  though  never  so  finely  covered:  with  it 
we  see  the  way  of  God  is  perfect,  and  you,  whose  way 
is  sinful,  are  in  the  way  of  condemnation. 

With  the  light  we  see  hiai  that  hath  not  the  word 
abiding  in  him,  hath  not  life,  though  he  knows  the  letter 
and  can  preach  it;  and  that  he  that  hath  not  that  faith 
that  overcomes  sin  (in  its  measure)  hath  not  the  true 
faith,  and  that  he  that  hath  not  heard  his  voice  knows 
himjnot,and  he  that  hath  not  seen  him,  hath  no  fellowship 
with  him,  and  whose  heart  is  filtl^r  can  do  neither. 

With  the  light  we  see  that  who  is  in  the  work  of  God, 
is  in  the  good  work,  and  he  that  is  not,  is  in  the  evil,  and 
whatever  he  doth  is  abominable:  and  that  he  that  hath 
not  the  righteousness  of  God  hath  his  own,  which  is  im- 
pertect;  but  who  hath  that  of  God,  hath  that  which 
perfectly  satisfies  both  God  and  man,  so  faras  with  it 
the  creature  is  covered. 

With  it  we  see  him  that  hath  faith,  without  this  work, 
to  be  as  a  body  without  a  spirit,  which  can  do  nothing, 
and  that  faith  is  vain  that's  without  power.  And  as 
we  see  with  that  which  is  eternal,  so  we  judge,  and  the 
world  receives  not  our  testimony,  because  the  carnal 
mind  is  enmity,  and  cannot  be  subject,  nor  can  the  natu- 
ral man  receive  the  things  of  the  spirit;  only  those  who 
mind  the  light  of  the  spirit,  discern  and  own  our  testi- 
mony, and  receive  our  witness  and  his  power  who  is  true, 
and  so  become  willing  to  follow  that  truth  that  leads  to 
freedom. 

How  long  have  you  talked  of  being  a  willing  people 
in  the  day  of  his  power?  but  do  vain  words  save  you 
while  you  are  in  the  power  of  darkness,  and  your  own 
wills  standing?  Are  you  a  willing  people  for  God, 
when  you  see  with  the  light  of  Christ  in  your  hearts, 
what  you  ought  to  do,  and  what  you  ought  to  forbear, 
but  your  own  wills  withstand  it,  and  lead  you  into  cove- 

30 


(   234  ) 


tousness,  pleasures,  cind  wantonness,  and  seltishness. 
contrary  to  it?  And  what  power  is  this  which  acts 
you  in  these  ways  of  unrighteousness,  for  which  your 
hearts  condemn  you?  This  is  the  power  of  darkness, 
which  the  light  of  Christ  in  your  consciences  bears  wit- 
ness against. 

And  thus  you  have  got  words  instead  of  power  and 
life;  and  you  think  salvation  is  in  them,  crying  the  ordi- 
nance of  God.    But  did  God  ever  ordain  a  talk  without 
power  and  life?    Is  not  Christ  the  ordinance,  and  the 
end  of  all  ordinances,  who  is  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the 
life?    Is  there  any  ordinance  without  him  in  the  gospel? 
Or  will  he  accept  your  performances  which  ye  have 
taken  on  you  from  imitation  of  others  which  he  leads 
not  to  in  spirit?    Is  not  he  that  commands  and  he  that 
gives  power  one,  whQ  in  spirit  give  out  his  will  to  every 
generation,  which  they  who  follosved  imitations  only 
would  never  own,  nor  could  he  ever  own  their  service, 
whose  fear  and  worship  is  taught  by  the  precepts  of 
men,  and  not  by  his  spirit  v>ithin?    Is  not  he  the  sab- 
bath, circumcision,  baptism,  the  supper,  &c.  are  not  all 
these  in  him?    And  doth  not  he  minister  all  these  in 
spirit  to  every  one  that  comes  to  him?  and  so  the  shad- 
ow is  swallowed  up  in  the  substance  the  end  of  all 
shadows,  which  is  life  indeed,  but  the  figures  are  not 
the  life,  nor  can  any  have  the  life  but  who  comes  to 
the  end  of  them;  for  the  outward  makes  nothing  per- 
fect, but  the  inward  doth,  all  that  come  unto  it,  and 
abide  in  him. 

When  will  you  be  weary  of  your  vain  imaginations? 
Of  a  day  to  come  wherein  you  must  have  power?  How 
long  have  you  been  deceived  with  these  vain  thoughts? 
Was  not  this  it  you  talked  on,  twenty,  thirty,  forty  or 
fifty  years  since,  yet  now  farther  off  from  it  than  ever. 
And  are  not  these  vain  words,  though  you  caimot  bear 
it  to  have  them  so  called?  When  will  you  be  ashamed 
of  your  vain  profession,  you  that  run  to  seek  God  in 
the  high  places  amongst  the  hirelings,  running  from  God, 
to  seek  him  where  he  is  not?  And  is  not  this  vain  pro- 
fession when  nothing  is  brought  forth  but  wind,  nor  is  he 
found  by  you  in  that  wherein  your  fruit  is?    Those  who 


(  235  ) 


had  the  form  and  not  the  power,  could  never  find  him 
therein;  then  how  should  you  speed  any  better  that  join 
with  them  who  have  neither?  For  in  such  a  form  you 
worship  as  in  which  God  never  appeared,  but  Christ 
and  his  ever  witnessed  against,  and  doth  to  this  day,  yet 
will  not  you  be  instructed  but  in  your  own  wills  and 
ways  you  will  stand,  though  you  find  nothing  but  empti- 
ness in  it;  and  yet  you  talk  of  being  a  willing  people  in 
the  day  of  his  power?  But  when  will  you  have  it  pre- 
sent who  abide  in  that  way  where  both  will  and  power 
is  rejected.  Free  will  thereto,  you  have  not,  but  to  fol- 
low satan,  who  hath  begot  at  will  in  you  that  God  never 
created, contrary  to  God  in  all  things;  and  where  that 
will  rules,  it  will  not  own  his  power,  therefore  is  the 
day  of  his  power  put  afar  off  from  you ;  but  the  will  of 
the  devil  and  his  power  is  present,  and  acts  you  at  his 
pleasure,  and  you  are  offended  that  any  should  witness 
being  set  free  from  it. 

Thus  you  are  suffered  to  please  your  vain  minds, 
the  day  to  talk  on,  but  the  night  and  deeds  of  darkness 
you  must  walk  in,  else  your  old  master  is  highly  dis- 
pleased; and  if  any  call  you  to  the  light,  he  says  it's 
delusion:  and  as  for  freedom  from  sin,  or  the  way  to 
perfection,  that's  most  dangerous  heresy  and  delusion. 

And  thus  he  makes  you  most  afraid  of  freedom,  least 
any  of  you  should  believe  in  the  son  which  leads  to  it; 
for  the  devil  knows,  if  he  can  but  keep  you  from  believ- 
ing it,  you  are  sure  from  ever  coming  to  it;  for  as  is 
every  man's  faith,  so  shall  be  his  freedom.  Thus  yon 
stand  afar  off,  and  cry  take  heed  of  delusion  and  de- 
ceiving, when  you  have  nought  but  your  sins  to  be  de- 
ceived of;  nor  can  you  say  you  have  ought  in  you  that 
is  pure,  but  that  which  you  deny  in  your  conscience, 
which  is  a  witness  against  you;  and  this  is  the  cry  of 
all  who  are,  deceived  already,  in  all  forms  in  the 
world;  but  these  who  have  the  spirit,  that  can  try  all 
things,  wax  bold  as  a  lion,  and  will  not  receive  nor  hold 
fast  any  thing  but  that  which  is  good,  that  none  can 
take  from  them. 

The  heathen  were  ever  afraid  to  be  spoiled  of  their 
idols,  and  so  are  you  of  your  images  you  have  set  up, 


(     236  ; 


and  formed  from  others,  every  one  according  to  your 
own  wills.  If  shadows  and  likenesses  could  save,  then 
would  it  be  found  in  these  nations,  who  have  of  all 
sorts,  and  statures,  tall  and  with  heads  of  gold  some  of 
them,  which  you  zealously  worship,  and  compel  others 
also  who  know  no  better,  And  this  is  that  they  serve 
for,  but  they  cannot  save  you,  only  they  serve  you  to 
contend  about,  and  keep  you  doing,  least  you  should 
wait  upon  God  alone, and  be  saved  from  your  sins,  and 
then  the  devil's  kingdom  would  be  broken,  wherefore 
he  feeds  you  with  a  profession,  and  form  without  pow- 
er. And  of  likenesses  you  may  choose  from  one  to  ano- 
ther, yet  all  in  his  kingdom  of  sin  and  imperfection,  as 
long  as  you  live,  that's  his  limit,  and  for  no  less  time  will 
he  have  his  covenant;  and  you  are  willing  to  enter  into 
it  with  him,  and  plead  for  it,  exceedingly  mad  against 
any  that  break  it,  or  believe  in  him  that  redeems  from 
it,  nay  so  blind  and  deaf  are  you,  that  if  any  have  found 
freedom,  you  cannot  abide  to  hear  them  declare  it;  and 
the  end  of  Christ's  coming  must  not  be  preached,  nor 
his  covenant  that  is  pure  and  without  sin,  as  he  is  that 
made  it;  and  so  each  covenant  is  like  its  master. 

And  this  we  do  witness  and  see  now  at  present, 
which  you  know  not,  who  look  not  for  it  till  after  death, 
therefore  sin  must  stand  in  that  covenant,  because  you 
obey  not  the  covenant  of  light,  as  God  hath  ordained. 
And  the  light  is  in  the  world  where  all  are  sinners,  but 
none  have  the  life,  but  who  receive  the  light  and  join  to 
it,  and  are  led  out  of  the  world  by  it;  to  such  sheep 
Christ  is  keeper,  who  follow  him  out  of  uncleanness^ 
and  for  such  he  is  become  an  undertaker,  the  strong  man 
to  bind  and  cast  out,  who  believe  that  he  will  do  it  for 
them;  but  the  swine  he  keeps  not,  the  shepherd  they 
will  not  follow,  there  the  devil  enters  and  hath  power, 
and  into  the  sea  must  they  run  headlong. 

Take  heed  carnal  professors,  whose  religion  looks 
downward  into  the  earth,  the  sea  is  next,  and  the  place 
is  steep.  And  you  have  nought  to  keep  you,  who  deny 
the  life  of  purity  and  perfection,  which  we  have  in  the 
holy  God,  as  all  ever  had  who  lived  in  him,  and  in  him  is 
truth  and  freedom;  but  a  lie  there  is  in  all  your  likeness- 


(   237  ) 


es,  and  yon  are  blind  and  will  not  see  it,  all  you  who 
have  a  God  and  Christ,  and  a  worship  which  doth  not 
make  the  comets  thereto  perfect,  nor  set  yon  above  the 
devil,  nor  overcome  his  temptations.  Your  God  and 
king  we  know,  which  keeps  you  in  the  earth,  which  you 
will  curse  if  ever  you  look  upward ;  your  peace  we  know, 
and  the  end  of  it,  your  kingdom  with  all  its  glory ;  when 
fro'.Ti  this  world  you  are  taken,  there  is  your  parting, 
when  he  shall  break  your  covenant  whose  covenant  you 
have  broken,  and  would  not  hear  him,  though  you  pre-» 
tended  still  to  see  him. 

That's  his  call,  which  in  your  consciences  lets  you 
see  you  have  lost  him;  which, did  you  wait  in  it,  would 
lead  you  to  him,  but  erring  from  it,  you  are  out  of  his 
way  and  counsel,  and  all  other  ways  art  to  no  purpose. 
His  light  is  that  which  searcheth  your  hearts  in  secret, 
nor  any  other  judge  you  in  private;  yet  from  that 
you  will  be  running,  to  ask  counsel  of  them  who  know 
not  yonr  conditions;  so  instead  of  God  you  confess  to 
men  that  cannot  judge  you,  nor  help  you ;  while  you  go 
to  the  natural  you  leave  the  spiritual,  and  so  with  natu- 
ral words  you  feed  the  natural  comprehensions,  but  the 
spiritual  man  feeds  not  at  that  fountain,  for  it's  the  spir- 
itual  that  thirsts,  which  not  being  minded,  the  natural 
runs  and  feeds  above  it;  and  this  being  above,  you  can- 
not receive  the  food  of  the  spirit,  therewith  to  be  recon- 
ciled and  quickened  to  God:  nor  is  that  fed  that  death 
hath  passed  over,  nor  out  of  death  is  it  raised  ;  but  that 
which  lives  in  you  is  for  death,  and  by  feeding  on  that 
wisdom  the  vail  is  thickened,  and  the  eternal  is  out  of 
your  knowledge ;  yet  you  say,  God  is  a  spirit,  and  teacltes 
inspirit,  and  will  be  worshipped  in  spirit;  but  you  can- 
not endure  to  hearken  to  any  thing  of  God  within  you, 
nor  turn  to  that  spirit. 

How  blindly  are  you  led  with  your  blind  guides?  Is 
not  that  which  is  spiritual  within?  Or,  can  it  be  known 
anywhere  else?  Is  God  known  by  hearsay?  Then 
who  is  it  that  knows  him  not?  Can  the  carnal  eye  see 
God,  or  the  carnal  ear  hear  him  ?  Then  should  not  his 
ministry  be  to  the  spirits  in  prison,  to  open  the  blind 
eyes,  and  to  unstop  the  deaf  ears,  yea.  where  the  carnal 


(  238  ) 


is  open?  Bui  this  you  know  not,  who  have  eyes  antl 
see  not,  ears  and  hear  not,  and  liands  which  never  han- 
dle the  word  of  life;  yet  would  you  be  teaching  others 
that  which  you  never  saw  nor  heard,  and  to  this  teaching 
,  3^^n  would  limit  others. 

Paul  was  sent  to  open  the  blind  eyes,  yet  was  he  sent 
to  those  who  had  eyes  as  you  have,  with  which  they 
could  see  to  stone  and  whip  him,  and  ears  to  hear  him, 
and  call  what  he  said  heresy  and  blasphemy,  as  you 
do,  and  as  ever  the  carnal  judged  of  the  spiritual,  who 
have  not  an  eJir  to  hear  what  the  spirit  saith. 

O  unwise  people!  You  have  but  one  thing  that  lest 
you  see  your  evil,  yet  will  you  not  turn  to  that  for  teach- 
ing; that  eye  you  love  nuot  which  lets  you  see  your 
darkness.  You  cry,  you  have  nothing  that's  good  in  you, 
yet  will  you  not  own  that  which  lets  you  see  it  is  so. — 
And  thus  you  keep  covenant  with  darkness,  though 
death  and  destruction  be  the  end  of  it,  but  the  light 
which  shines  in  darkness  you  regard  not,  that's  far  be- 
yond your  comprehension,  nay,  it's  the  least  seed  in  you, 
which  we  know  is  the  seed  of  the  kingdom,  trodden  un- 
der foot  by  the  kingdom  of  the  world:  therefore  nothing 
else  leads  out  of  the  world,  but  that  whose  kingdom  is 
not  of  it,  and  with  this  seed  is  the  covenant;  which  seed 
you  know  not,  who  take  pleasure  in  the  flesh,  that's  of 
another  kingdom,  to  which  is  no  covenant  but  death  and 
hell;  yet  you  talk  of  Abraham,  and  his  covenant  and 
promise,  but  that  in  Abraham,  in  which  the  covenant 
was  established,  was  that  which  led  him  out  of  the 
world,  wherein  he  became  a  stranger  and  wanderer,  as 
that  seed  ever  is,  which  you  call  vagabonds,  persecute 
and  imprison,  you  that  have  rule  in  this  world,  shewing 
that  you  are  not  of  that  seed  that  entertains  strangers, 
nor  in  that  covenant,  where  all  are  strangers  and  pil- 
grims in  this  world;  nor  do  you  own  that  which  would 
divide  you  from  this  world,  being  uncircumcised  in  heart, 
which  to  be  is  the  seal  of  Abraham's  faith.  And  so  you 
whose  life  is  in  the  earth,  are  far  off  from  Abraham's 
bosom,  faith  and  covenant,  which  is  only  to  his  seed,  not 
to  the  seed  of  evil  doers; not  to  the  seeds  which  are  ma- 
ny, but  to  one,  which  is  Christ.    So  in  the  world,  out  of 


(   239  ) 


Christ:  and  out  of  Christ,  out  of  God's  covenant;  for  hirf 
promises  are  all  yea  and  amen  to  them  that  are  in 
Christ  Jesus,  but  not  to  them  that  abide  in  the  world. 

They  who  own  him  as  king  cannot  want  the  promise, 
neither  can  you  have  it  who  abide  in  the  world;  there- 
fore you  apply  the  words,  but  want  the  life,  which  is 
the  power;  nor  can  your  literal  promises  suit  your  con- 
dition, nor  save  you  from  Satan's  power;  but  as  all  oth- 
ers, who  think  salvation  to  be  in  the  letter;  so  do  you 
deny  the  leading  and  guiding  of  the  spirit,  in  which  the 
power  is,  therefore  the  light  you  will  nat  follow,  neither 
can  you  believe  it  to  be  sufficient;  and  he  that  denies 
the  light,  cannot  own  the  Lord  of  life.  So  you  are  ig- 
norant of  God  and  his  way,  in  which  he  makes  himself 
known  to  his  people :  and  so  take  up  your  rest  in  outward 
observations,  set  up  and  upholden  in  the  wills  of  men, 
and  for  such  traditions  you  are  zealous,  and  strongly 
contend  for  them,  but  the  law  of  God  written  in  your 
own  hearts  you  make  of  none  effect,  while  you  deny  to 
be  ruled  according  to  it:  yet  you  say,  we  are  in  the  new 
covenant,  when  you  are  in  the  old  traditions;  and  what 
you  know  is  from  others.  But  the  least  in  that  cove- 
nant knows  him  and  his  presence,  and  witness  him  true 
according  to  his  promise,  ever  manifesting  his  power,  to 
undertake  for  us  against  all  our  enemies,  a  present  help 
in  time  of  trouble,  and  we  know  him  in  whom  we  have 
believed,  where  he  is,  and  the  way  to  him,  having  seeri 
the  glory  of  his  kingdom,  and  the  powers  of  the  eternal 
world,  the  house  wherein  are  many  mansions,  yet  the 
lowest  place  is  pare,  for  which  the  Lord  alone  prepares 
his  people  and  their  way,  which  the  creature  cannot  do 
of  himself,  only  Christ  doth  it  where  self  denied,  and 
self  will;  for  by  the  will  of  man  comes  no  promise, nor 
obtains  that  will  any  performance. 

So  he  begets  both  the  will  and  the  deed,  which  you 
know  not  where  your  own  wills  are  standing,  by  him  not 
forgotten,  who  in  your  wills  make  a  profession,  and  in 
the  same  wills  contend  for  it,  with  which  you  can  fight, 
and  sue,  and  trade  in  the  world,  and  heap  together,  and 
what  you  will  you  pray  and  ask  for,  and  grudge  if  you 
be  not  satisfied.    But  if  yoH  compass  your  desires  in 


(   240  ) 


that  will,  the  lust  catcheth  the  gift,  but  you  forget  the 
giver.  So  that  mercies  become  a  curse  to  you,  u  h'lch  to 
those  who  in  the  will  of  God  stand  are  a  blessing ;  which 
will  of  God  is  to  keep  the  heart  and  eye  to  the  creator 
and  giver:  and  if  you  receive  not  the  giver,  the  gift  is 
nothing  that  satisfies,  because  the  virtue  and  fulness  is 
wanting,  whereby  the  gift  is  sanctified. 

Thus  is  God  prized  and  praised  in  his  own  will,  a  sac- 
rifice forever  accepted ;  therefore  Christ  must  not  be 
offered  up  in  his  own  will,  but  in  the  will  of  the  father, 
Matth.  26.  39,  And  in  that  vvill  he  had  power  to  lay 
down  his  life,  and  to  take  it  up  again.  Thus  he  is  be- 
come our  example,  whom  we  delight  in  the  same  will  to 
follow;  which  you  that  read  this  in  the  scripture  with 
your  own  wills  cannot:  therefore  to  you  the  cross  is 
preached,  which  must  be  taken  up  e'er  you  can  follow 
the  example  of  Christ. 

This  is  the  stumbling  stone  and  rock  of  offence  God 
hath  laid  to  prove  you,  who  say  you  love  God,  and  say, 
thy  will  be  done  in  earth, but  love  your  own  will  better,  as 
your  practices  witness  to  your  face  daily,  when  his  will 
is  your  sanctificaticn,  but  yours  is  pollution,  and  to  live 
in  uncleanness,  against  which  he  hath  given  testimony, 
witness  that  in  all  your  consciences  which  is  pure,  de- 
claring daily  to  your  faces  that  he  consents  not  to  your 
sins,  nor  takes  delight  in  your  destruction ;  and  here 
God's  love  is  tendered,  and  your  love  is  tried.  God  so 
loved  the  world  that  he  hath  given  his  son  a  light  into 
the  world,  that  whosoever  believes  and  follows  him, 
shall  not  abide  in  death  and  darkness,  but  shall  have 
the  light  of  life.  And  this  we  know,  who  love  his  ap- 
pearance, and  that  he  hath  loved  us  first;  and  in  that 
love  we  follow  him,  and  call  to  all  to  come  to  it.  But 
how  do  you  answer  this  love  to  his,  who  abide  in  the 
love  of  the  world,  where  the  father's  love  dwells  not, 
nor  with  this  light  will  you  be  led  out  of  the  love  of  the 
world,  to  where  his  love  dwelleth,  thereof  to  be  parta- 
kers; yet  you  will  talk  of  it  where  it  is  not;  and  these 
vain  words  cannot  save  you. 

God  is  light,  and  in  him  is  no  darkness  at  all,  and  if 
vye  walk  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in  the  light,  then  have  we 


(   241  ) 

fellowship  with  him,  and  the  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth 
us  from  all  sin.  But  what's  this  to  you  who  walk  in 
darkness,not  cleansed  ?  Nor  do  you  believe  that  ever  you 
can  be  whilst  you  live;  yet  would  not  you  be  called  un- 
believers, though  that  faith  that  purifies  the  heart  you  do 
not  own-:  yet,  say  you,  we  believe  we  shall  be  cleansed 
after  we  be  dead,  in  smother  world:  so  your  faith  must 
work  hereafter,  but  is  dead  at  present;  sucli  a  faith  as 
never  w^as  professed  by  any  true  believers  you  read  of  in 
the  scriptures  :but  that  faith  we  witness  which  overcomes 
this  world,  and  this  is  present  power,  as  the  saints  have 
found  it, and  born  witness  of  it, that  God  was  faithful,  who 
had  given  them  a  measure,  above  which  no  temptation 
befel  them;  but  your  gift  is  to  come,  so  temptation  pre- 
vails for  the  present,  and  you  cannot  own  them  where  it 
does  not.  Thus  you  put  far  from  you  the  good  day 
of  the  Lord,  and  his  power,  which  now  is  present  where 
he  is  received  and  believed  ;  and  by  such  he  is  praised, 
who  by  faith  are  redeemed  from  the  pollutions  of  this 
world  (the  strange  land  wherein  they  were  captivated) 
into  freedom,  wiiere  Sion'ssongis  sung,  which  you  can- 
not learn  whilst  unredeemed. 

And  here  see  your  praises,  which  arise  from  a  vain 
mind  in  your  own  wills  and  imitations,  but  not  from  a 
soul  redeemed,  quickened,  and  set  free  from  the  power 
of  sin  and  temptation:  so  yotir  praises  are  not  living 
praises,  nor  from  a  living  principle  of  the  living  God. 
but  from  that  principle  where  death  reigns,  and  the  seed 
of  God  is  in  prison ;  so  you  praise  you  know  not  what,  who 
are  still  unredeemed  from  bondage:  but  where  redemp- 
tion  is  w^itnessed,  there  that  seed  is  raised,  the  bonds 
of  death  are  broken,  the  way  of  life  is  fouud,  and  this 
being  known  in  the  life,  then  with  understanding  God  is 
praised,  and  with  the  same  spirit  which  he  hath  raised, 
which  onlv  with  God  is  accepted,  without  respect  of 
persons:  and  here  the  works  of  God  praise  him,  and  in 
his  saints  he  is  glorified,  and  admired  in  all  who  are 
raised  above  the  graves,  who  are  in  him,  and  see  his 
work.  And  this  church  is  rightly  gathered,  who  out  of 
sin,  death  and  darkness  is  brought  into  God,  who  is  holy, 
with  whom  dwells  no  unclean  thing. 

31 


Here  are  the  pure  praises,  where  the  sons  of  God  sing 
together,  having  the  psahn  given  of  the  father;  these 
praises  are  pure  which  from  him  come,  and  to  him  re- 
turn freely,  but  this  is  not  known  to  the  sons  of  bondage, 
nor  believed  by  you ;  therefore  you  sit  down  in  the  shad- 
ow empty,  and  form  without  power,  and  the  presence  of 
God  you  know  not,  who  take  your  rest  in  fleshly  forms, 
that  eye  cannot  se"^  him,  nor  know  him.  Thus  in  your 
sins  you  perish,  for  want  of  his  knowledge,  who  is  our 
life  eternal,  and  to  you  is  freely  tendered,  but  by  your 
unbelief  denied,  and  so  his  love  rejected. 

All  you  that  are  in  the  world,  who  lie  in  vyickedness, 
God  so  loveth  you,  that  he  hath  sent  his  son  into  the 
world  to  you,  a  witness  against  the  world,  and  the  deeds 
of  it,  that  they  are  evil;  but  all  that  own  and  follow 
him  into  the  good  work  he  leads  them,  and  out  of  the 
evil  he  keeps  them;  and  that  by  his  light,  which  in  your 
consciences  shines  in  tiie  midst  of  darkness,  which  you 
comprehend  not  with  your  dark  minds,  nor  sensual  wis- 
dom, yet  a  faithful  witness  is  it  against  your  deeds  of 
darkness,  declaring  your  end,  and  death  upon  your 
life,  and  sorrow  and  howling  upon  your  laughter,  con- 
demning your  vain  pleasures  and  inventions,  with  which 
you  spend  your  precious  time,  which  should  be  redeem- 
ed, and  not  spent  unprofitably,  which  with  the  light  the 
saints  and  redeemed  ones  are  led  to,  to  redeem  the  time. 
And  this  is  our  diligence  and  delight  in;  but  yours  is  to 
spend  it,  shewing  a  contrary  nature  and  leader,  a  contra- 
ry delight  in  a  contrary  kingdom,  with  whom  you  are 
joined,  and  to  whom  you  are  fashioned  according  to 
the  course  of  this  world,  and  the  prince  and  power  of  it, 
which  rules  in  his  children,  where  disobedience  is  born 
and  brought  forth. 

And  thus  you  are  united  into  that  nature  which  the 
devil  is  the  prince  of,  and  wrath  and  woe  the  end  of,  and 
so  God  is  justified  herein,  that  you  who  despise  the  rich- 
es of  his  light  in  Christ  Jesus,  should  be  left  in  darkness, 
therewith  to  be  guided,  and  in  chains  reserved  till  the 
great  day,  in  which  you  shall  be  judged  by  the  light  now 
denied,  with  your  carnal  reason,  prudence  and  wisdom, 
from  which  God  hath  hid  the  things  of  his  kingdom,  in 


(   243  ) 


all  generations,  and  lhat  is  darkness,  even  your  wisdom, 
and  prudence  which  yoii  judge  withal,  whicli  is  nnost 
sought  and  prized  by  you  who  deny  the  light  of  Christ; 
and  this  wisdom  when  it  speaks  calls  light  darkness, and 
darkness  light;  so  did  they  ever  w^ho  with  it  judged. 

And  this  is  your  condition  who  deny  the  light  of  Christ, 
and  say  it's  not  sufficient,  but  prefer  your  comprehen- 
sions afid  imaginations  above  it,  and  that  was  ever 
it  with  which  people  resisted  the  counsel  of  God 
against  themselves:  and  this  is  his  counsel,  and  all  you 
know  of  him,  that  which  is  manifest  in  you,  which  moves 
against  sin  atid  wickedness,  and  would  lead  out  of  it  if 
you  did  it  follow.  The  same  that  condemns  you  for  sin 
when  you  have  done  it,  the  same  would  lead  out  of  it, 
and  prevent  it  before  it  be  acted,  and  so  keep  out  of  con- 
demnation. 

And  now  honestly  consider,  if  you  have  noX  such  a 
counsellor,  who  is  with  you  at  all  times,  and  faithful  to 
you  in  shewing  the  evil,  to  which  you  are  unfaithful, 
when  you  forget  it,  and  turn  from  it  to  your  self  ends; 
and  the  righteous  pure  way  he  shows  you  with  the  light 
in  your  conscience,  which  you  reject  for  earthly  pleas- 
ures, and  know  when  you  do  it;  yet  will  you  pray  that 
God  will  show  you  his  way,  and  make  you  wise  to  sal- 
vation: but  when  he  hath  freely  done  it,  you  will  not 
walk  in  it,  nor  own  such  wisdom,  because  it  comes  con- 
trary to  your  own  wills;  yet  you  will  say,  the  wisdom  of 
this  world  is  foolishness  with  God,  yet  will  you  not  own 
that  which  is  foolishness  to  the  world,  to  guide  you  out 
of  it,  though  there  be  nothing  else  appointed  to  do  it,  but 
that  which  is  contrary  to  it;  thus  in  words  you  confess 
him,  but  in  works  deny  bin),  and  his  counsel :  yet  you  say, 
wherein  do  we  deny  him?   Do  not  we  profess  his  name 
and  covenant,  and  wait  for  his  righteousness  thereby  to 
be  saved?    I  say,  it  serves  you  to  talk  on,  therewith  to 
cover  you,  while  you  are  serving  the  other  master,  the 
devil,  and  the  world ;  but  his  covenant  you  put  far  from 
you,  his  name,  and  his  righteousness  whereby  we  are 
redeemed. 

What  covenant  have  you,  who  deny  the  light  of  Christ 
to  guide  you?    Was  not  ho  given  for  an  everlasting 


(  244  ; 


covenant  of  light,  both  to  Jew  and  Gentile?  And  in 
his  light  all  that  knew  iiim  were  guided,  according  to 
the  severa'  administrations  both  of  law  and  gospel.— 
And  when  they  turned  from  his  light  in  spirit,  to  mens 
teaching  from  the  letter,  then  they  set  up  carnal  worships 
instead  of  spiritual  obedience,  then  they  became  wise  in 
their  own  eyes,  and  zealous  for  iheir  customs,  but  by  him 
was  rejected,  who  is  worshipped  in  spirit.  And  with 
you  it  is  the  same  now,  tho'igh  you  cannot  see  nor  be- 
lieve it  no  more  than  they  did  when  they  were  told  of  it 
by  them  who  in  the  light  walked,  and  stood  in  his  coun- 
sel, which  all  errors  discover;  they  made  the  law  of  God 
void  through  their  tradition,  walking  after  their  fathers; 
so  do  you  that  law  God  hath  written  in  your  heart,  by 
following  your  companions  and  learned  rabbles;  they 
said,  and  did  not,  and  so  do  you  also;  nay  herein  you 
exceed  them,  who  have  a  higher  profession,  but  less 
practice:  they  did  not  believe  him  come,  w^ho  is  to  fulfill 
all  righteousness  for  and  in  all  that  believe  and  follow 
him;  but  this  Christ  you  profess,  and  the  scripture  that 
so  witnesses  of  him,  yet  are  you  farther  from  it  than  ever 
they  were,  both  in  practice  and  opinion;  they  kept  to 
the  letter  in  forms  of  their  worship,  though  they  had  lost 
the  life  and  power,  but  you  have  left  the  letter,  and  lead 
one  another  in  your  inventions:  so  that  you  have  no 
plain  scripture  for  your  worship  performed  by  you  in 
your  idols  temples.  And  for  your  opinion  of  God*s 
righteousness^you  far  exceed  them :  they  put  it  from  them 
to  another  generation,  waiting  for  him  to  come  who  was 
appointed  king  of  it,  asking  when  it  should  come,  shew- 
ing a  desire  to  see  it;  but  you  have  put  it  wholly  from 
you  into  another  world;  and  if  any  have  found  it, and 
its  power  and  purity,  and  bear  w^itness  of  it,  w^hereby 
the  body  of  sin  is  destroyed,  and  the  soul  freed,  and  the 
creature  redeemed  from  committing  sin,  your  faith  be- 
lieves it  to  be  the  greatest  blasphemy  in  the  world;  nay, 
you  dare  not  come  near  it,  lest  you  should  be  infected, 
but  consult  how  to  banish  it  out  of  the  nations,  as  an  er- 
ror not  to  be  tolerated  in  the  world. 

Thus  you  profess  a  redeemer,  but  he  must  be  a  man 
whose  redemption  F>«^*?t     r^i'  ?*.nother  world,  and  there 


245  ) 


nust  he  work  his  work,  but  the  old  work  of  the  devi 
inust  stand  in  this  world ;  yet  the  more  to  blind  you, 
and  that  you  may  the  more  blind  others,  he  sets  you  on 
talking,  that  Christ  is  your  righteousness,  when  you 
never  knew  him  so  in  you,  who  is  stronger  than  the  God 
of  this  world  to  bind  him,  and  take  you  out  of  his  king- 
dom, and  break  that  covenant,  whose  faith  is,  that  you 
must  be  subject  to  him  whilst  yon  live  in  this  world, 
which  is  such  a  faith  and  covenant  as  none  ever  profes- 
sed who  believed  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  at  which  every 
knee  bows  who  hath  his  name,  and  he  that  bears  that 
name  departs  from  iniquity,  and  bears  testimony  to  his 
righteousness,  here  in  this  world,  in  the  midst  of  the  un 
toward  and  unrighteous  generation  of  this  dark  world, 
that  so  God  may  be  glorified  in  his  creatures,  by  his 
light  shining,  and  his  righteousness  reigning,  above  the 
unrighteous  principle  of  the  devil,  which  he  hath  begot- 
ten in  the  untoward  nature;  but  in  such  the  devil  is  de- 
nied and  disowned  before  the  world,  where  God  is  obey- 
ed ;  and  such  are  his  servants,  sons  and  daughters,  who 
obey  him  and  wait  upon  him,  that  they  may  brmg  to  light 
what  he  works  in  them,  even  that  which  none  else  can 
work  but  he  alone  that  is  pure,  nor  can  any  bring  it 
forth,  but  by  his  power.  And  thus  his  works  praise  him 
in  the  gates  of  the  wicked,  where  the  floods  of  ungodli- 
ness do  most  swell  and  rage,  even  then  in  his  people 
doth  this  kingdom  stand  in  righteousness  and  peace,  and 
joying  in  holiness. 

And  this  we  witness  to  be  that  covenant,  and  that 
power  by  which  w^e  are  entered  into  that  inheritance 
which  is  eternal,  and  are  made  partakers  of  the  divine 
nature;  which  nature  is  righteous,  merciful  and  just, 
meek  and  patient,  faithful  and  diligent  to  the  obedience 
of  the  cross,  long-suffering,  full  of  love,  moderation  and 
temperance,  and  in  all  things  thereby  are  transformed 
into  his  holiness,  so  far  as  we  are  entered  into,  and  abide 
in  this  covenant,  so  that  we  can  truly  say,  here  he  is 
all,  and  self  is  nothing,  but  abhorred  because  it  is  pollu- 
ted, the  eye  being  now  open  that's  only  taken  with  affec- 
tion to  that  which  is  holy;  and  with  this  eye  we  see 
you,  your  nam^,  your  covenant  and  your  righteousness, 


(   246  ) 


all  which  lie  under  the  power  of  darkness.  Is  not  that 
light  which  is  in  you  become  darkness,  who  have  your 
way  to  seek  without  you?  What  name  is  in  you,  when 
the  serpent's  seed  is  still  unbruised,  who  is  head  and 
rules  in  you?  Where  the  name  of  Jesus  is,  the  devils 
tremble  and  bow,  as  God  hath  appointed,  and  they  that 
know  his  name  do  witness.  What  is  your  righteousness, 
who  bring  forth  that  which  is  imperfect,  which  with  the 
light  of  the  covenant  is  condemned?  Is  this  the  right- 
eousness of  Jesus,  which  doth  not  satisfy  God  and  man, 
being  witnessed  by  that  in  the  conscience? 

And  now  you  may  see  what  it  is  you  profess  in  this 
world,  and  in  what  stead  it  will  stand  you  in  the  day  of 
evil,  which  is  condemned  already  with  that  in  your 
consciences:  but  you  use  to  say, that  the  righteousness 
of  God  you  look  for  hereafter,  to  be  covered  with  it  at 
the  day  of  judgment,  but  not  in  this  life.    I  say  then, 
what's  this  you  are  now  doing,  which  you  are  here 
preaching,  pressing  and  practicing,  whose  is  this  right- 
eousness?   Is  it  either  God's,  or  your  own  self-righxeous- 
ness  ?  W  hich  if  it  be  God's,  it  endures  forever,  but  if  not., 
it's  abomination,  whatever  it  seems  to  you,  whose  eye 
is  blinded,  and  so  profess,  and  practice,  and  press  an 
abominable  sacrifice, and  know  not  that  you  do  evil; for 
this  I  say,  better  no  righteousness  than  that  which  is 
«ot  God's  for  such  is  spiritual  wickedness  in  heavenly 
places,  and  the  long  prayers  of  such  are  abomination, 
and  they  receive  the  greater  damnation,  and  of  such 
Christ  saith,  publicans  and  harlots  take  the  kingdom 
before  them.    But  you  say,  must  vve  not  pray  then?  I 
say,  wait  for  the  spirit  of  prayer,  which  only  is  heard, 
and  without  which  none  know  what  to  pray  for;  and 
with  that  prayer  which  helps  the  infirmities,  and  gives 
the  understanding:  only  such  are  answered  in  what 
they  pray  for.    What  effect  hath  thy  prayers  which  are 
abomination?   Doth  God  hear  a  contrary  spirit?  Thou 
that  delightest  in  wickedness,  God  will  not  hear  that 
prayer,  that's  out  of  the  covenant,  and  thou  art  in  that 
nature  that  God  hath  cursed  from  him,  and  it's  in  vain 
for  thee  to  bless  it.    And  this  is  the  cause  why  nothing 
you  do  is  accepted,  because  it  is  performed  in  the  diso- 


(   247  ) 

Hedient  cmsed  nature,  and  there  is  Cain's  sacrifice,  and 
Esau's  prayers  and  tears.  And  you  that  abide  in  that 
nature,  are  of  those  who  said,  why  have  we  fasted  and 
prayed,  and  thou  hast  not  regarded?  You  call, but  re- 
ceive no  answer:  but  did  you  but  mind  that  in  your  con- 
science which  is  pure,  you  would  see  how  often  he  hath 
called  to  you,  and  checked  you  for  sin,  but  you  have  not 
answered:  there  might  you  read  the  cause  why  you  call, 
but  he  doth  not  answer;  as  he  hath  said,  because  I 
called,  and  you  would  not  answer,  therefore  when  you 
cry,  I  will  not  answer. 

And  thus  it  is  with  you  who  observe  the  outward 
worships,  but  mind  not  the  spirit  which  is  given  to  profit 
withal  in  the  worship ;  and  though  all  have  a  measure, 
yet  you  that  hide  your  talent,  cannot  pray  with  the  spirit, 
nor  with  the  understanding;  and  so  your  fellowship  is 
with  the  form,  but  not  in  the  power;  with  men  in  words, 
but  not  with  God ;  and  so  your  times  are  in  your  own 
hands;  and  you  have  resolved  them  before  hand;  and 
you  have  a  time  to  pray,  and  a  time  to  play;  a  time  to 
abstain  from  your  lusts,  and  a  time  to  fulfil  your  lusts; 
a  day  to  abstain  from  the  world,  and  a  day  to  conform 
to  the  world  ;  and  thus  not  being  guided  W'ith  that  spirit 
which  is  before  all,  to  lead  and  bring  you  out  of  time, 
you  are  still  in  observations,  and  your  times  of  religion, 
and  your  times  in  the  world;  your  customs  in  religion, 
and  your  customs  in  the  world,  are  both  in  your  own 
will,  and  corrupt  nature,  and  so  your  prayers  are  abom- 
ination, and  your  ploughing  sin :  but  the  times  of  sons 
and  daughters  are  not  in  their  own  hands;  and  this  we 
have  learned  of  Jesus  in  spirit  not  to  please  ourselves, 
nor  be  men-pleasers,  but  to  be  obedient  to  another  prin- 
ciple, which  moves  contrary  to  the  will  of  men,  for  him 
we  witness,  who  is  not  born  after  the  will  of  man,  but 
which  the  fleshly  will  of  man  could  never  own,  who  by 
the  wills  of  men  ever  suffered,  where  he  is  born  into  the 
world;  and  the  same  this  day  is  manifest,  a  seed  con- 
trary to  the  seed  of  evil-doers,  and  a  righteousness  that 
exceeds  the  righteousness  of  the  world,  that  which  is 
amongst  the  greatest  professions;  and  this  is  that  holi- 
ness withont  which  none  shall  see  God. 


(  24«  ) 

But,  say  you,  this  is  that  righteousness  we  believe  in, 
and  by  which  we  are  justified,  by  that  blood  which  was 
shed  at  Jerusalem,  and  by  that  obedience  that  was  in 
him,  and  by  that  holiness;  but  that  the  want  of  his 
righteousness  in  us,  or  that  want  of  Christ  or  his  blood 
in  us  can  hinder  our  justification,  that  we  deny,  and 
look  upon  it  to  be  heresy  and  false  doctrine;  for  it  is 
Christ  without  us  that  hath  satisfied  for  sin,  and  not 
Christ  in  us;  and  his  blood  without  us,  and  his  right- 
eousness without  us;  and  his  faith  and  patience,  meek- 
ness and  sufferings,  hope,  and  love,  and  obedience,  kc. 
it's  these  without  us  that  whoever  believes  in  shall  be 
saved,  and  by  this  faith  the  ungodly  is  justified. 

To  which  I  say,  he  that  believes  not  in  Christ  who 
suffered  at  Jerusalem,"*  and  his  obedience  and  righteous- 
ness, and  that  he  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the 
cross,  and  trod  the  wine  press  alone,  and  alone  was 
well-pleasing  to  the  father,  and  that  in  him  alone 
redemption  is  placed,  and  wrought  by  him,  with  much 
more  which  may  be  truly  said  of  him ;'  I  say,  whosoever 
believes  not  this,  cannot  be  saved,  neither  can  he,  with- 
out faith  in  him,  ever  come  to  receive  Christ  within  him. 
working  and  witnessing  the  same  inspirit,  as  is  declared 
in  the  letter:  nor  can  he  come  to  witness  him  that*:* 
greater  in  him,  than  he  that's  in  the  world,  giving  him 
victory  over  the  devil,  sin,  and  the  world,  because  God 
hath  placed  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  in  him ;  and 
without  faith  in  him  who  is  that  power,  none  can  come 
to  it,  nor  receive  it,  but  in  him  whom  God  hath  freelv 
given  it;  nor  can  any  have  him,  and  be  without  it,  ail 
the  promises  of  life  and  salvation  being  in  him  yea  and 
amen. 

But  now  you  that  make  the  receiving  of  him  to  stand 
in  a  bare  confessing  with  the  tongue,  when  the  heart 
believes  not  unto  righteousness,  and  that  this  is  that 
faith,  a  persuasion  from  the  letter,  or  from  the  knowl- 
edge  of  others,  that  Christ  died  at  Jerusalem,  and  rose 
again,  and  from  thence  conclude,  that  all  shall  be  saved, 
and  are  true  believers,  that  profess  this  faith,  though 


*Where  known, 
a  Mark  16  16, 


(   249  ) 


they  come  not  to  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings  and 
resurrection  in  themselves,  nor  to  witness  his  life  man- 
ifest in  their  mortal  flesh,  nor  the  body  of  sin  put  off, 
nor  to  be  washed  with  the  blood  of  Christ,  nor  baptized 
into  his  death,  to  be  dead  with  him  to  sin,  and  alive  with 
him  to  righteousness,  and  true  obedience  to  the  father, 
as  true  believers  witness  in  their  measures. 

I  say,  you  that  say  that  a  bare  persuasion  or  outward 
confession  is  that  faith  that  justifies  the  ungodly  with- 
out Christ  in  them;  then  what  are  you  doing  when  you 
say,  stand  off  me,  for  I  am  more  holy  than  thou,  and  are 
gathering  from  them,  who  all  believe  with  this  faith  as 
well  as  you,  only  they  differ  from  you  in  other  practices, 
and  some  open  sins,  and  the  like?  And  why  have  not 
the  greatest  drunkards,  and  swearers,  or  whoremongers, 
as  good  right  to  Christ  and  church  fellowship  as  you 
have?  Or  why  do  you  hinder  them  from  that  which 
you  call  the  seals,  or  sacraments,  seeing  that  faith  in 
Christ  is  the  ground  of  interest  in  him,  to  all  that  belong 
to  Christ? 

Do  not  you  according  to  your  own  principle  exclude 
believers  even  of  the  same  faith  with  you?  And  who 
are  those  unbelievers  you  tell  on  who  are  condemned? 
And  to  whom  do  you  preach  faith  in  these  nations,  see- 
ing you  can  find  none  in  them  who  are  come  to  under- 
standing, papist,  nor  protestant.  but  they  believe  this 
with  yor.,  that  Christ  died  at  Jerusalem?  If  hereby 
they  be  justified  before  God,  how  dare  you  charge  any 
thing  upon  them,  or  separate  from  them,  if  God  have 
ov<  ned  them?  Also  many  hundred  thousand  pounds  a 
year  may  be  spared,  which  are  spent  under  this  pre- 
tence, as  to  make  people  believers,  when  all  they  preach 
to  are  believers  already,  and  have  that  faith  that  justi- 
fies the  ungodly  in  your  opinion?  And  whose  is  the 
righteousness  people  are  exhorted  to  bring  forth?  If 
the  righteousness  of  Christ  that's  necessary  to  salva- 
tion be  only  without  them;  then  whose  is  that  you  call 
for  within  them? 

But  if  you  say,  they  must  have  some  of  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ  within  them,  and  the  rest  without  them, 
then  wJiy  do  not  you  describe  a  measure,  that  people 


(   250  ) 


may  know  how  much  to  look  for  within,  and  when 
they  come  to  an  end  of  their  labours  ;  and  howjmuch  they 
must  do  before  Christ  will  undertake  to  do  the  rest?  Or 
if  Christ  hath  done  all,  how  much  of  it  must  they  do 
over  again  before  they  come  to  their  rest,  and  to  be  ac~ 
cepted;  and  distinguish  what  it  is  that  must  be  brought 
forth  from  within,  and  what  must  be  believed  without, 
but  not  enjoyed  within,  that  so  people  may  come  to  see 
what  is  Christ's  and  what  is  self  righteousness,  and 
where  they  are,  that  they  may  avoid  the  one,  and  re- 
ceive the  other? 

But  thus  you  lie  in  confusion;  from  which  by  that 
faith  which  stands  in  Jesus,  we  are  freed,  and  have  re- 
ceived his  righteousness  to  which  we  are  obedient,  by 
which  we  are  purified,  by  bringing  forth  that  which  he 
begetteth,  as  formerly  we  were  defiled  by  bringing  forth 
that  which  was  begotten  by  the  devil,  and  so  through 
obedience  of  the  spirit  our  souls  are  purified,  and  we 
become  conformable  to  him  that's  gone  before  us,  who 
received  light  and  obedience,  and  power  from  the  father, 
and  so  became  the  first  fruits  unto  perfection  and  holi- 
ness, through  whom  we  receive  power  for  obedience, 
grace  for  grace,  by  which  we  are  saved,  and  our  life  is 
in  him,  and  our  obedience,  and  he  is  all  in  us,  which  we 
receive  of  the  father,  who  hath  wrought  all  our  works 
in  us, and  so  ordains  peace  for  us;  yea  beyond  all  that 
you  know,  or  can  believe,  who  know  not  Christ  in  you. 
So  you  have  set  up  a  reprobate  faith,  that  you  cannot 
but  be  servants  of  sin  while  you  live  in  this  world,  and 
so  are  to  every  good  work  reprobate. 

But  you  use  to  say,  you  have  that,  which  Christ  did 
in  his  own  person,  evidenced  to  you,  that  he  did  it  for 
you  particularly,  which  drunkards,  swearers,  and  the 
like  have  not.  I  say  your  evidence  is  but  in  words  and 
conceit,  who  know  not  Christ  in  yon,  no  more  theirs 
is:  you  are  persuaded  and  hope  it  is  so,  and  so  are 
they  also,  but  neither  of  you  bring  forth  the  fruits  that 
are  his. 

But  you  say,  you  bring  forth  better  fruits  than  drunk- 
ards and  swearers.  1  say,  the  best  fruit  that's  brought 
forth  in  either,  which  is  not  the  work  of  God  by  Christ 


k 

(  251  ) 

iij  you,  is  but  self-righteousness,  and  all  your  self-actings 
on  performances  in  your  own  will  is  no  better.  But  you 
say,  you  do  wha*»you  can,  and  God  accepts  the  will  for 
the  deed,  but  so  do  not  those  who  are  openly  wicked. 
I  say  God  accepts  no  will  but  his  own,  and  this  he  be- 
gets by  his  spirit  in  all  that  wait  upon  him  in  the  light 
of  Jesus,  and  with  such  he  that  begets  the  will,  begets 
the  deed  also,  and  it  is  no  more  what  we  can,  but  what 
he  will,  with  whom  all  things  are  possible,  and  we  can 
do  nothing,  neither  do  we  desire  to  do  any  thing,  of 
ourselves,  yet  can  we  do  all  things  that  he  wills, through 
him  that  is  in  us,  so  the  will  of  God  is  done  in  us  by 
his  power  (in  our  measures)  as  it  is  in  heaven,  and  this 
is  perfect  righteousness,  wheie  Christ  is  all,  and  the 
creature  nothing. 

And  as  for  your  doing,  and  others  not  doing;  I  say 
every  one  hath  that  opinion  of  himself,  that  he  is  not  so 
bad  as  others,  and  with  this  the  devil  deceives  you,  to 
keep  all  in  his  kingdom.  And  by  this  opinion  of  yours 
none  is  to  be  condemned,  who  hath  any  worse  than  him- 
self in  his  doings;  for  this  must  needs  follow  from  the 
best  to  the  worst,  unless  you  describe  how  far  it  must  go, 
and  no  farther;  and  then  must  you  needs  shut  out  some 
who  have  endeavoured  as  much  against  sin  (in  their  own 
strength)  as  ever  you  did  in  yours. 

I  have  known  a  drunkard  shed  more  tears,  set  stron- 
ger resolutions,  and  make  more  vow  s  against  that  filthy 
sin  of  drunkenness,  than  ever  I  knew  the  greatest  pro- 
fessor do  against  his  secret  covetousness,  which  is  idola- 
try:  nay,  the  highest  professors  can  plead  for  it  (though 
not  under  that  name)  and  make  a  trade  on  it,  which  the 
other  is  ashamed  to  do  for  his  drunkenness. 

Now  if  God  had  placed  righteousness  and  acceptance 
in  doing  what  one  can  of  himself,  then  why  should  not 
the  first  of  these  be  accepted  as  well  as  the  latter;  see- 
ing he  prays,  and  weeps,  and  doth  what  he  can  [without 
Christ]  to  overcome  it?  And  thus  many  people  in  the 
world,  who  know  not  Christ  and  his  strength  in  them 
[which  alone  is  appointed  by  God  to  overcome  sin  for 
all  that  receive  him]  I  say,  you  are  all  in  confusion,  la- 
bouring to  no  purpose,  one  condemning  another,  thereby 


(  252  ) 


to  get  peace  to  yourselves,  but  all  under  the  curse,  and 
so  is  the  fruit  you  bring  forth,  because  it  is  not  in  Jesus, 
and  he  in  you,  in  whom  the  father  hath«glaced  fruit  and 
acceptance,  peace  and  reconciliation,  to  whom  ail  shall 
confess  forever. 

And  now  to  all  honest  hearts,  in  whom  a  seed  of  God 
hath  place,  who  are  thus  scattered  in  this  body  of  con- 
fusion, having  lost  the  way  of  truth,  peace,  and  right- 
eousness, so  that  you  cannot  come  to  that  which  makes 
perfect,  but  are  at  a  loss  with  all  you  can  do,  and  are 
condemned  with  that  in  your  conscience,  that  you  are 
not  covered  with  the  righteousness  of  God,  but  are  found 
naked  and  miserable.  I  say,  that  which  condemns  you 
who  are  out  of  the  way,  is  the  light  that  leads  to  the 
way,  for  whatsoever  makes  manifest  is  light;  so  that 
which  makes  manifest  your  darkness,  is  that  light  that 
shines  in  darkness,  to  lead  out  of  darkness,  that  con- 
demns you  while  you  are  in  it.  But  that  which  cries 
peace  in  darkness, is  the  prince  of  darkness,  to  keep  in 
darkness.  That  which  condemns  the  world,  is  the  light 
of  the  world,  given  to  lead  out  of  the  world  all  tliat 
believe  and  follow  it;  and  such  are  justified  by  the 
light,  that  their  deeds  are  wrought  in  God,  and  by  him; 
which  light  reproves  the  evil  deeds  not  wrought  by 
him. 

I  say  this  is  the  light  of  Christ  given  into  the  world, 
that  whosoever  believes  and  follows  shall  not  abide  in 
darkness,  but  have  the  light  of  life.  Now  read  all  the 
scriptures  and  see  if  there  be  any  other  covenant  but 
this  covenant  of  light,  and  this  is  the  life  which  is  the 
light  of  men,  which  darkness  comprehends  not,  nor  the 
world  knows  not,  in  which  alone  the  power  is  placed, 
which  whoever  receive,  become  the  sons  of  God,  as  the 
father  hath  appointed,  which  he  will  not  alter,  the  cove- 
nant, for  all  the  world:  therefore  all  that  are  out  of  the 
light,  are  out  of  the  covenant  where  God  hath  placed 
his  power.  And  if  you  would  give  your  goods  to  the 
poor,  and  your  bodies  to  the  fire,  it's  to  no  purpose,  be- 
cause you  are  out  of  this  love  of  the  father.  Therefore 
all  are  first  called  to  believe  in  the  light  e're  they  can 
be  accepted:  for  without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please 


(  253  ) 


God,  or  be  found  in  his  work,  or  receive  his  power;  so 
all  your  labour  brings  not  forth  that  which  is  accepted, 
but  with  the  light  is  condemned,  that  it  is  not  perfect, 
and  so  you  sit  down  in  sorrow;  notwithstanding  all  your 
labours  which  are  out  of  the  light,  where  God  hath 
promised  no  peace,  nor  power;  for  God  doth  not  mani- 
fest his  works  in  the  darkness,  but  in  the  light,  that  all 
the  children  of  light  may  see  and  praise  h'lm  who  doth 
all  for  his  own  glory,  which  the  children  of  darkness  see 
not,  who  are  out  of  the  light  of  Christ.  So  such  talk 
of  what  God  hath  done,  and  what  he  will  do,  but  know 
him  not  at  present,  nor  his  power,  working  all  their 
works  ill  them. 

Therefore  this  I  say  to  all  who  desire  to  know  him, 
that  you  stand  still  in  the  light  of  Jesus,  that  you  may 
come  to  see  the  life  and  its  movings,  and  the  power  of 
death,  and  its  movings;  that  you  may  see  what  spirit 
works  obedience,  and  what  spirit  works  disobedience ; 
so  shall  you  see  what's  done  in  the  body,  if  the  eye  be 
single,  then  is  there  no  place  for  darkness,  but  it  is  dis- 
covered. So  with  the  light  you  come  to  discern  each 
spirit,  and  each  principle,  and  their  several  workings; 
and  that  the  one  is  the  power  that  works  in  the  light, 
which  works  to  obedience ;  the  other  is  the  power  that 
works  in  darkness,  and  works  to  disobedience. 

For  the  devil  the  power  of  darkness,  who  works  in 
the  children  of  darkness,  that  they  all  may  be  damned 
who  will  not  receive  the  light,  but  God  hath  reserved 
the  light  pure,  and  therein  placed  his  power,  that  so 
none  may  fail  who  believe  in  it;  and  here  is  the  blessing 
and  the  cursing,  |he  election  and  reprobation,  the  light 
and  the  darkness ;T)oth  which  the  light  discovers  as  it 
arises  in  all  who  in  it  believe  and  wait.    And  if  you 
abide  in  the  light,  you  will  see  none  can  curse  what  God 
hath  blessed,  nor  bless  what  he  hath  cursed.    For  as 
.  the  one  of  these  leads  up  to  the  life  from  whence  it 
comes,  all  that  believe  and  follow^  it,  so  the  other  down 
to  death  all  that  abide  in  it;  for  none  in  the  light  did 
ever  perish,  nor  out  of  it  was  ever  saved*  whatever  is 
their  profession. 


(   254  J 


In  the  light  is  the  power,  and  the  power  lu  the  hght. 
for  this  is  one  in  Christ  Jesus;  and  in  this  light  if  you 
keep  waiting,  with  it  you  shall  see  the  motions  of  sin 
which  are  after  the  flesh,  working  in  you,  drawing  your 
minds  after  them  to  obey  them ;  and  you  shall  see  at 
the  same  time  the  motions  of  the  spirit  in  the  meek 
principle,  drawing  you  to  the  contrary.    So  that  if  you 
be  not  rash  to  follow  the  motions  of  the  flesh,  but  of  the 
light  take  counsel,  you  shall  see  every  word  and  action 
discovered  to  you,  in  the  light,  of  what  sort  they  are  of, 
from  what  root  they  arise,  and  what  they  tend  to;  and 
here  you  come  to  the  knowledge  of  sin,  and  who  begets 
it  in  the  creature,  and  the  knowledge  of  righteousness, 
and  who  begets  it  in  the  creature;  and  here  in  plainness 
you  come  to  see  your  father,  and  whose  children  you  are, 
even  his  whom  you  obey;  for  if  you  bring  forth  the 
works  of  the  devil,  which  he  begets  in  you,  then  are 
you  his  children ;  but  if  you  deny  the  works  of  the  dev- 
il, and  bring  ihem  to  the  light,  then  God  gives  you  pow- 
er to  bring  forth  what  he  will  beget  in  you  in  the  light, 
and  men  seeing  that  work  of  God  brought  forth  into  the 
world,  thereby  is  God  glorified:  and  this  is  not  only  a 
talking  of  God,  but  a  living  to  him  in  your  measure,  and 
here  shall  you  grow  up  (in  the  obedience)  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  Christ,  and  learn  him  of  God,  and  the  way  to 
him :  so  every  one  that  hath  learned  of  the  father  com- 
eth  to  me,  John  vi.  44,  45.    And  none  can  come  to  me, 
except  my  father  draw  them ;  so  shall  you  see  the  law 
written  in  the  hearts,  which  discovers  lust  and  unclean- 
iiess;  even  in  your  hearts  in  the  first  rise  of  it;  and  you 
will  come  to  see  that  this  law  is  pure  ar^d  must  be  fulfill- 
ed, and  when  you  see  none  of  themsefves  can  fulfil  it  in 
its  righteousness  and  purity,  then  is  way  made  for  Christ ; 
and  so  the  law  is  the  schoolmaster  to  lead  to  him  where 
the  righteousness  is  placed,  and  power  to  fulfil  it,  who 
is  the  end  of  it  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieves. 

And  as  your  minds  are  kept  to  this  law  that  God 
hath  written,  to  show  sin  and  evil,  you  will  come  to  see 
thit  power  that  sin  hath  got  over  you,  and  that  you  are 
wholly  polluted  and  sold  under  it;  then  will  you  seethe 


(   255  ) 


great  transgression,  and  the  fear  of  God  will  appear  ia 
you,  and  so  your  hearts  will  grow  tender  in  his  fear, 
which  is  but  the  beginnings  of  the  knowledge  of  God 
and  his  wisdom:  and  so  waiting  in  the  light,  you  will 
come  to  see  openings  and  breathings  after  Christ  Jesus, 
in  which  abiding  and  waiting  low  in  the  fear  you  will 
come  to  see  some  openings  and  promises  of  the  father's 
love  to  that  seed  which  is  breathing  in  you  after  him, 
and  some  hopes  of  pardon  of  sin  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  so 
come  to  see  the  law  and  the  prophets  prophesying,  which 
condition  many  have  come  to,  and  then  have  lost  their 
condition  by  the  minds  getting  out  of  the  fear,  and  flesh 
exalting  into  the  promise,  and  so  come  to  get  the  wound 
healed  before  death  be  slain,  and  so  lose  that  little 
communion  they  had  with  God  afar  off,  out  never  come 
so  far  as  to  the  washing  thoroughly,  nor  to  the  marriage, 
but  the  light  mind  gets  into  this,  and  tattles  it  out  to 
others,  and  calls  it  experience,  yet  never  came  so  far  as 
to  see  Christ  and  the  Father,  yet  after  these  doth  the 
world  wonder,  notwithstanding  they  live  in  the  same 
filthiness  as  they  did  formerly ;  yet  say  they,  I  have  as- 
surance so  many  years  since,  and  the  promise  of  God  is 
sure,  and  his  covenant  cannot  be  broken,  but  cannot  see 
that  the  condition  is  lost,  and  the  seed  is  buried  under 
the  earthly  pleasures,  to  which  the  promise  was;  for 
the  promise  is  to  the  seed  which  is  one,  not  to  the  seed 
which  is  many.  Gal.  iii.  16.  Not  to  the  fleshly  man 
which  is  now  got  up,  but  to  the  spiritual  seed,  which  is 
meek  and  lowly,  which  God  teacheth  and  blesseth,  and 
the  creature  that  turns  to  it  is  blessed,  because  of  that 
meek  spirit  into  which  they  are  turned,  and  should  be 
forever,  if  in  it  they  did  continue;  for  to  it  is  the  cove- 
nant which  cannot  be  broken,  therefore  all  that  depart 
out  of  it,  it  will  not  follow,  for  then  should  not  the  cove- 
nant stand  sure  in  that  seed  which  is  but  one,  one  heart, 
one  mind, one  soul,  one  spirit;  and  whosoever  receives 
this  unity  of  faith, shall  find  this  covenant  sure:  but  this 
was  never  placed  in  the  worldly  seed,  but  in  the  spirit- 
ual ;  so  the  carnal  is  death  and  hell,  that's  its  covenant ; 
but  the  spiritual  is  life  and  peace,  that's  its  covenant; 
and  each  covi^nant  stands  sure  t©  them  who  are  in  them. 


(  256  ) 


So  that  creature  who  was  sometimes  tender  and  lowly 
minded,  and  that  seed  awakened  to  which  is  the  promise, 
not  waiting  in  the  promise  till  it  be  performed;  the 
creature  turns  into  the  world  where  the  curse  is,  and 
there  inherits,  yet  is  the  covenant  sure  to  the  seed,  and 
all  that  abide  in  it;  and  this  all  witness  who  have  wait- 
ed in  their  measure,  though  he  thkt  turns  from  it  is  con- 
demned. 

And  if  you  abide  faithful  waiting  in  the  light,  you  will 
be  so  far  from  turning  into  the  liberty  of  the  flesh,  that 
you  will  see  every  vain  thought  and  imagination  judged, 
in  the  first  motion,  and  the  ground  of  all  sin  you  will  see 
laid  open,  and  so  come  to  see  the  axe  laid  to  the  root  of 
the  corrupt  tree,  that  hath  brought  forth  evil  fruit,  which 
is  John's  ministry,  and  the  baptism  of  repentance,  and 
so  be  led  on  to  him  who  fulfils  all  righteousness?  And 
that  kingdom  you  will  hear  preached  at  hand,  which 
consists  not  in  words,  but  in  power;  then  vain  babblers 
you  will  come  to  see  and  avoid,  and  be  brought  only  to 
press  after  righteousness,  and  so  see  your  light  grow  and 
spring  up  to  the  burning  and  shining,  'till  the  day-star 
arise  in  your  hearts;  then  will  you  cease  to  put  God  and 
Christ  afar  off  you,  and  wait  to  see  Christ  in  you  the 
hope  of  glory;  and  so  come  to  see  Christ  in  you  the 
light,  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life;  and  not  to  have 
your  light  and  life  to  seek  in  a  book  without  you,  nor 
from  men,  but  Christ  your  life  in  you,  made  manifest 
your  mortal  bodies;  and  so  coming  to  the  son,  and  to 
see  him  revealed,  by  him  come  to  have  the  father  re- 
vealed also,  and  so  come  to  the  knowledge  of  God, 
which  is  life  eternal,  even  God  in  his  temple,  where  he 
is  worshipped  in  spirit  and  truth;  and  this  truth  in  you, 
and  this  God  in  you,  then  shall  we  know  that  your  bo- 
dies are  the  temples  of  the  living  God,  as  he  hath  said, 
I  will  dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in  them,  2  Cor.  vi.  16. — 
And  that  the  spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you,  1  Cor.  iii.  16. 
By  which  spirit  he  is  worshipped,  and  by  the  same  spirit 
you  are  taught,  and  this  is  not  known  by  hearsay,  nor 
got  by  imitation,  nor  taught  in  the  imaginations,  but 
through  death  it  is  learned,  only  in  those  who  in  the 
light  are  guided,  and  by  the  spirit  kept,  in  the  fire,  and 


(   257  ) 


ui  the  water,  where  death  is  slain,  faith  purified,  and  the 
body  cleansed  and  purged  from  its  dross  and  filthiness^ 
patience  given  and  proved,  and  all  the  gifts  and  graces 
of  God  which  vain  minds  talk  on,  but  know  not  but  in 
words,  these  to  be  waited  for  in  the  light,  received  in  the 
faith,  and  proved  in  the  patience,  to  the  bringing  the 
creature  wholly  to  rely  upon  God  in  the  worst  condition^ 
«ven  at  their  wits  ends,  when  all  the  world  fails  and 
becomes  enemies,  then  to  fall  into  the  defence  of  God 
alone,  or  when  the  world  tempts  with  the  greatest  pleas- 
ures, then  to  deny  all  for  the  love  of  God;  this  is  soon 
talked  on,  but  none  can  have  it,  but  who  have  received 
it  in  the  same  way  of  obedience  that  Christ  hath  gone 
before,  and  leads  in  spirit  and  power  all  his  after  him, 
who  believe  in  his  light,  and  follow  it:  then  may  you 
say,  follow  us  as  we  follow  Christ,  and  walk  as  you  have 
us  for  examples;  till  then  you  are  but  imitators,  and  out 
of  the  life  and  power,  and  so  lead  one  another  into 
forms  and  traditions,  but  deny  the  power  which  should 
give  you  victory  over  sin  in  this  world ;  and  so  you  get 
the  saints  words,  but  their  lives  you  have  not,  that  you 
look  for  in  another  world,  but  in  the  mean  time  go  on  to 
fill  up  the  measure  of  evil,  and  so  go  to  the  grave  in  fear 
and  torment.  And  all  those  calls  and  reproofs  of  the 
spirit  of  light  in  your  own  hearts,  now  by  you  slighted, 
are  by  him  recorded,  and  remain  a  testimony  against 
you  till  that  dreadful  appearance  of  the  righteous  judge, 
and  heart-searcher,  shewing  his  love  tendered,  and  his 
desire  to  save  from  sin  and  condemnation ;  which  love 
being  rejected,  there  is  no  escaping  condemnation. 

And  you  that  have  formed  a  notion  of  Christ  in  your 
own  imaginations,  so  as  your  pride,  lust,  riot  and  oppres- 
sion may  be  exalted,  and  you  in  them ;  and  now  your 
eyes  are  abroad,  expecting  his  coming  without  you  in 
observations  of  days,  years,  persons  and  forms,  loe  here, 
loe  there,  and  the  time  and  manner  of  his  reign  you  are 
jangling  about,  and  what  a  one  he  shall  be,  and  which  of 
you  shall  be  greatest  at  his  coming,  and  such  like  con- 
ceits without  you,  hath  the  enemy  set  up  amongst  you, 
till  you  have  wholly  lost  the  favour  of  Christ  within,  and 
f-an  neither  know  his  appearance  in  yourselves,  mv 

33 


^   258  ) 


believe  him  to  be  in  others,  in  whom  he  is  spiritually 
come, nor  know  what  a  one  he  shall  be:  what  a  Christ 
is  this  you  are  looking  for?  Is  he  the  same  that  was 
from  the  beginning,  whose  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world? 
And  do  you  look  for  him  after  another  manner  than  he 
hath  appeared?  Is  he  not  the  same  yesterday,  and  to 
day,  and  forever?  How  hath  the  enemy  of  your  souls 
deceived  you,  and  kept  you  spending  hours  and  days 
talking  of  him  what  he  was,  and  what  he  will  be  at  a 
distance  without  you,  but  know  not  him  at  hand  what  he 
is,  so  that  when  he  would  appear  in  you  to  lead  you  out 
of  the  world,  you  know  not  his  voice,  nor  will  you  obey 
him  in  spirit,  because  he  is  not  come  in  your  form,  nor 
teacheth  after  your  will,  and  in  your  way,  so  is  he  now 
as  much  set  at  nought  by  his  builders  as  ever  he  was, 
and  you  cannot  receive  him  in  your  hearts,  nor  is  there 
any  room  for  him  in  the  inn,  farther  than  to  take  on  and 
express  as  a  covering  for  your  pride  and  earthly  pleas- 
ures, let  that  of  God  in  your  consciences  be  judge,  be- 
twixt God  and  you  herein,  how  you  receive  the  son  of 
his  love,  the  despised  one,  search  your  hearts  therewith 
and  see:  can  you  receive  him  who  is  set  as  a  sign  every 
where  to  be  spoken  against?  Will  you  bear  his  marks 
in  your  body?  Will  you  take  up  his  cross  daily,  and 
bear  his  reproach?  VVill  you  own  him  in  whippings, 
stonings,  mockings,  and  temptations,  and  to  be  counted 
the  filth  of  the  world  and  off-scouring  of  all  things  for 
his  namesake?  Can  you  be  willing  to  be  accounted 
fools,  that  his  wisdom  may  be  manifest  in  you?  Will 
you  bear  his  reproach  in  stocks,  and  prisons,  and  dun- 
geons, and  to  be  numbered  amongst  transgressors?  Will 
you  confess  him  before  men  to  the  loss  of  your  estates, 
and  to  the  casting  out  of  the  synagogues?  VVill  you 
own  him  in  leading  you  through  the  loss  of  all  your  un- 
just gain  and  oppression  in  your  tradings,  or  will  you 
follow  him  to  yea  and  nay  in  all  your  occasions?  Shall 
nothing  separate  you  from  the  love  of  God  in  him  who 
is  rejected  of  all  the  world?  This  is  our  Christ,  and 
this  is  his  condition  in  this  world  as  ever  it  was,  and 
this  is  his  glory  to  carry  his  people  through  all  these 
things,  and  above  all  these  into  the  eternal  kingdom  of 


(   259  ) 


liie  father,  and  them  present  perfect  without  spot  oi 
wrinkle,  or  any  such  tiling;  and  this  is  he  whom  the 
world  cannot  receive,  nor  all  you  are  in  the  world's 
pleasures  can  see  any  comeliness  in  him,  nor  beauty, 
that  you  should  desire  him ;  lhat  eye  is  blind  that  jan- 
gles about  him  afarotf  in  the  carnal  comprehensions  and 
sensual  wisdom,  it's  the  eye  of  faith  that  seeth  him  pre- 
sent (in  the  measure)  and  leads  to  follow  him,  and  he 
that  believes  hath  the  witness  in  himself,  wherewith  his 
glory  is  seen  in  the  etern  il  the  same  to  all  generations 
that  will  receive  him  who  is  the  light  of  the  world, yet 
notcf  this  world  nor  its  glory,  from  whose  root  springs 
righteousness,  mercy  and  judgment,  who  is  meek  and 
lovv^ly,  a  man  of  sorrows,  acquainted  with  grief,  who 
takes  no  pleasure  in  unrighteousness,  to  set  up  pride, 
but  shakes  his  hand  at  the  gain  of  oppression,  who 
strikes  at  your  life  in  all  unrighteousness,  and  that's  his 
witness  in  you,  which  calls  you  out  of  these  vain  things, 
that  with  his  light  he  might  lead  you  out  of  the  world, 
there  to  commune  with  you  about  your  backslidings,  and 
show  your  transgressions,  and  the  everlasting  covenant 
of  the  father's  love,  even  the  eternal  inheritance  which 
none  can  come  to,  but  who  receives  his  witness  in  the 
light,  a  cross  to  all  the  world's  lovers,  and  its  glory.  So 
if  you  can  receive  him  you  may,  if  not,  this  I  say  to 
you,  your  expectation  will  fail,  who  look  for  his  appear- 
ance in  the  worldly  glory,  or  after  your  imaginations, 
who  judge  him  to  be  like  yourselves,  or  such  a  one  as  you 
would  have  him,  who  have  changed  your  glory  for  fa- 
ding things,  and  so  imagine  of  him  also. 

Do  you  think  the  lamb  hath  changed  his  glory,  be- 
cause the  beast  is  got  up  into  his  seat  ?  Nay,  his  glory 
is  the  same,  though  you  have  changed  your  God,  and 
have  bowed  down  to  the  prince  of  this  world,  and  his 
glory,  and  hath  committed  adultery  therewith,  yet  God 
IS  the  same  and  changes  not.  Wherefore  come  down 
you  painted  harlots,  you  adulterers  and  adulteresses, 
whose  minds  would  uphold  carnal  delights,  and  yet  pro- 
fess the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  you  are  an  ill  Saviour 
to  the  nations  whom  the  Lord  is  about  to  gather,  who 
say  you  are  the  people  of  God,  but  live  worse  than  the 


(   260  ; 


heathen,  you  m  e  the  enemies  of  God,  and  your  profes- 
sion stinks  in  his  nostrils ;  will  he  accept  your  words^ 
when  your  lives  preach  rebellion  openly,  and  have  begot 
a  faith  in  one  another  to  believe  that  God  will  accept 
you  herein,  and  a  Christ  you  look  for  conformable  to 
your  kingdom  of  pride  and  worldly  glory,  self-worship, 
and  respect  of  persons,  whither  you  have  followed  the 
heathen  into  that  principle  where  man  errs,  thither  are 
you  gone  out  of  the  faith  of  Christ,  which  stands  not  in 
respect  of  persons,  neither  can  you  believe  who  receiv( 
honour  one  of  another,  so  your  hope  shall  perish,  and 
your  sorrow  and  your  end  shall  come  upon  you  in  one 
day,  except  you  return,  though  now  you  put  it  afar  off, 
yet  shall  you  see  that  vain  words  shall  not  save,  where 
light  and  life  is  denied. 

And  you  whose  unity  stand  in  the  visibles,  and  by 
them  are  gathered  together,  and  there  you  receive  and 
know  one  another,  and  that  you  make  the  door  to  re- 
ceive into  your  church,  and  without  it  no  communion^ 
whose  knowledge  is  outward,  and  your  worships  out- 
ward, as  in  words,  or  water,  bread  or  wine,  or  any  car- 
nal perishing  things,  though  good  in  their  time  and  place, 
to  them  who  in  their  place  could  use  them;  yet  were 
they  not  given  as  the  substance,  but  as  the  shadows; 
not  in  the  place  of  God,  but  in  way  of  obedience  to 
God,  as  many  other  carnal  things,  which  in  their  place 
and  time  were  not  to  be  omitted ;  as  temple,  circumcision, 
sacrifices,  brazen-serpent,  which  were  good,  till  set  in 
the  place  of  God,  and  till  they  who  had  them,  set  them 
up  against  truth  and  righteousness,  and  became  as  bad, 
if  not  worse  than  they  that  had  them  not,  yet  blessed 
themselves  in  their  evil  ways,  because  of  them,  and  ex- 
cluded all  else.  Then  the  Lord  departed  out  of  them, 
and  left  them  empty  and  desolate,  and  his  next  appear- 
ance cried  them  down  without,  and  set  up  the  substance 
of  them  within,  so  that  God  hath  pulled  down  what 
he  himself  did  set  up,  though  good  in  their  time;  yet  if 
carnal,  the  carnal  mine)  would  get  into  them,  and  adul- 
terate from  the  maker;  as  you  may  read  in  the  scrip- 
tures how  many  things  he  hath  laid  w^aste  upon  that 
account,  even  at  his  appearance  in  some  of  his  sons 


(  261  ) 


mcl  daughters,  even  such  things  as  he  had  said  shouh) 
)e  signs  forever,  yet  their  abuse  cansed  the  servants  of 
God  to  cry  them  down:  so  you  call  things  whereinOod 
and  his  power,  and  righteousness  is  not.  your  setting 
them  up  instead  of  Christ,  makes  them  odious  to  all  that 
know  Christ,  and  they  cannot  see  that  which  belongs 
to  God  given  to  any  creature  and  be  silent:  but  you 
will  say,  they  are  commands  of  God,  and  there  is  no 
scripture  for  taking  them  away;  I  say,  those  carnal 
things  are  hut  commands,  as  circumcision  and  the  pass- 
over  were,  and  many  other,  yet  were  they  taken  away 
without  letter,  by  that  spirit  that  gave  them,  when  they 
w^ere  abused;  what  letter  had  Hezekiah  to  take  away 
the  brazen  serpent,  and  break  it  in  pieces?  What 
scripture  had  Paul  to  cry  down  circumcision  when  he  , 
saw  it  abused,  though  he  had  circumcised?  What 
scripture  had  Paul  to  deny  that  he  was  sent  to  baptize, 
when  he  saw  them  abuse  it,  and  setting  it  up  above 
Christ  and  many  other  things  which  by  the  spirit  of  God 
was  removed,  when  idolized;  for  which  the  literal  ob- 
servers who  denied  the  spirit's  teaching,  counted  them 
blasphemers. as  you  do  now;  and  so  by  such  they  suf- 
fered for  holding  forth  the  substance,  and  denying  the 
shadows,  to  such  as  idolized  them,  though  otherwise  the 
shadows  had  been  lawful:  nor  do  I  judge  any  that  do  it 
in  obedience,  and  so  come  up  above  it;  but  all  you  that 
slick  in  these  outward  things  contending  about  dipping, 
or  sprinkling,  but  neglect  the  power  and  life;  you  are 
the  Jews  of  these  days,  who  strive  about  outward  wash- 
ings, some  for  young,  and  some  for  old  ;  but  in  the  mean 
time,  all  out  of  the  power,  and  in  the  world,  in  your 
own  wills  and  worldly  pleasures  and  profits,  pride  and 
covetousness:  some  for  free  will,  others  not,  but  all  in 
your  own  wills:  and  thus  while  you  are  about  these 
things  received  by  tradition,  the  law  of  God  written  in 
your  hearts  is  made  of  none  effect,  nay  you  cannot  own 
it,  that  there  is  any  thing  there  to  guide  or  give  the 
knowledge  of  God;  so  you  have  a  form  of  God,  but  the 
world  hath  power  over  you,  and  in  you,  and  so  are  be- 
come a  reproach  to  religion;  wherefore  come  out  of  the 
world  and  the  power  of  darkness,  and  come  to  the  guide 


(   262  ) 


€)f  the  spirit  of  truth,  that  you  may  be  set  free  to  the 
Lord,  from  the  rudiments,  which  God  is  departed  out  of, 
and  follow  the  lamb  whithersoever  he  goetii;  then  shall 
you  see  him  separating  you  from  the  world  in  the  sub- 
stance of  truth,  in  mercy  and  righteousness,  before  you 
be  hardened  in  your  wickedness,  and  your  forms  be  left 
to  you  desolate,  and  a  strange  thing  come  upon  you, 
which  is  seen  concerning  some  of  you,  who  will  not  now 
own  his  appearance  who  before  all  form  is?  Will  it 
not  be  a  strange  thing  to  see  you,  who  above  all  have 
cried  out  for  li[)erty  of  conscience,  and  against  persecu- 
tion, who  have  been  persecuted  for  conscience  sake,  to 
see  you  become  the  most  subtil  persecuters  that  ever 
were  in  the  world?  You  in  this  generation,  be  not 
grieved  to  hear  of  these  things,  for  God  is  bringing 
strange  things  to  pass,  which  you  will  not  believe,  though 
it  be  told  you;  but  when  it  is  come  upon  you,  remem- 
ber you  have  been  told,  for  the  Lord  is  gathering  his 
seed  out  from  the  heathen  where  it  hath  been  scattered, 
and  who  will  not  be  gathered,  shall  be  scattered ;  and 
who  will  not  come  into  the  kingdom  of  the  lamb,  must 
be  left  amongst  the  beasts;  and  when  man  denies  the 
spirit  of  God  to  lead  him,  he  is  no  better;  who  hath 
blinded  that  eye  that  foresees  the  evil,  shall  fall  into 
mischief  ere  he  be  aware. 

And  you  rulers,  magistrates,  and  governors,  who  have 
the  sword  of  the  Lord  in  your  hands,  to  rule  in  right- 
eousness and  judgment,  there  is  one  thing  needful  for 
you  to  mind,  that  you  know  the  Lord  to  be  your  judge 
and  law-giver  in  particular,  without  which  you  cannot 
rule  for  God,  nor  as  deserving  the  name  of  christians: 
the  heathens  exercised  lordship  in  their  own  wills,  and 
there  is  but  one  thing  that  differs  you  from  them;  if 
you  rule  for  God,  and  after  his  will,  so  as  to  give  way 
that  he  may  set  up  his  kingdom  in  the  soul,  who  hath 
set  you  up  to  rule  amongst  men:  and  you  cannot  rule 
for  God,  unless  you  be  ruled  by  him ;  but  if  you  have 
received  his  law  written  in  your  hearts,  and  his  judg- 
ments there,  and  his  power  and  authority,  and  your  souls 
subject  thereto  for  conscience  sake,  even  to  that  power 
that  is  of  God,  to  come  under  it,  and  the  principle  of 


C   263  ) 


everlasting  judgment  and  righteousness,  to  reign  in  yoa, 
and  rule  you,  and  with  that  power  and  authority  upoE 
you,  and  with  you,  you  go  forth  to  judge  his  people,  and 
the  heathen:  then  you  rule  with  God,  and  for  God;  and 
with  his  power  and  authority  which  you  have  received, 
and  to  which  you  are  joined,  are  you  justified  before 
the  Lord  God,  for  whonri  you  judge ;  and  his  law  in  every 
conscience  shall  answer  to  your  judgment,  that  it  is  just 
and  of  God ;  and  so  to  that  power  of  God  and  his  au- 
thority shall  every  soul  be  subject,  not  only  for  fear,  but 
also  for  conscience  sake,  so  you  become  ministers  of 
God  to  others;  but  if  you  depart  out  of  the  counsel  of 
God  and  the  leadings  of  his  spirit,  and  get  up  into  the 
seat  of  those  that  went  before  you,  and  take  counsel  at 
yourselves  and  your  policy,  to  establish  your  wills  as  a 
law,  and  have  not  respect  to  the  law  written  in  the  heart ; 
but  conlrary  to  it,  set  up  respect  of  persons,  and  places 
instead  of  judgment  and  righteousness,  then  it  must 
needs  be  that  all  who  have  respect  to  the  everlasting 
law  and  power  of  God  in  spirit,  must  suffer  by  you,  as 
witnesses  against  you,  as  the  prophets,  apostles  and 
martyrs  have  done  against  your  forefathers,  till  the 
lamb's  testimony  be  finished,  and  ended  against  yoa 
also;  yet  are  not  we  despisers  of  authority  herein,  no 
more  than  they  were,  who  in  subjection  to  that  power 
ordained  of  God,  suffered  by  the  wills  of  men,  who 
should  have  defended  them,  by  that  power,  from  the 
wills  of  men,  who  are  not  subject  to  that  power  of  God; 
so  by  men  who  deny  that  power  that  is  ordained  of  God, 
to  rule  in  them;  by  those  do  such  suffer  as  obey  that 
power,  yet  are  the  innocent  ever  accused,  to  be  against 
the  power,  who  are  but  against  men's  wills,  in  obedience 
to  the  power,  and  this  is  no  new  thing  in  this  world: 
but  our  judgment  remains  sure,  and  to  that  power  we 
appear, which  no  man's  will  can  alter; to  which  all  shall 
confess,  and  every  knee  bow,  when  he  shall  judge,  who 
now  suffers.  And  if  they  shall  depart  into  everlasting 
punishment,  who  doth  not  minister  to  him  in  prison, 
then  what  will  your  doom  be  who  cast  him  into  prison, 
now  that  he  is  come  into  the  world?  And  if  the  not 
knowing  of  him  will  not  excuse  such  as  do  not  minister 


(  264  ) 


to  him,  then  what  excuse  for  you  who  call  him  vaga- 
bond, stranger,  deceiver,  devil,  &c.  and  think  no  place 
bad  enough  to  cast  the  body  into,  in  whom  he  is?  And 
if  into  everlasting  fire  with  the  devil  and  his  angels  they 
must  go,  who  do  not  visit  him  in  prison;  then  what  way 
will  you  escape,  who  will  not  suffer  any  of  his  brethren 
or  servants  to  visit  him,  though  they  be  moved  to  come 
from  far  to  do  it?  And  though  you  may  read  all  this 
in  the  words  of  truth,  from  his  own  mouth.  Mat.  25.  yet 
I  know  you  that  are  in  your  own  wills,  can  no  more  be- 
lieve these  words,  than  the  Jews  and  their  rulers ;  though 
you  know  it  is  he  that  spoke  those  words,  and  confess  it 
to  be  the  word  of  the  Lord,  which  the  Jevt^s  did  not 
know,  so  your  guilt  is  greater. 

And  though  our  freedom  in  the  Lord,  and  we  look  not 
for  it  from  men;  nay,  though  some  of  you  the  more  you 
be  warned, the  more  you  harden  yourselves  against  God; 
yet  while  we  are  moved  of  the  Lord  we  cannot  be  si- 
lent, if  by  any  means  some  of  you  might  turn  to  the  light, 
and  search  your  ways  therewith,  and  so  be  joined  to 
him,  and  established  in  his  power,  which  is  the  desire  of 
our  souls  for  you.  That  with  the  honour  of  God  you 
may  come  to  be  honoured,  which  none  can  have  who 
seek  for  honour  from  men.  So  you  who  desire  to  see 
into  the  ways  of  God,  consider  these  things  following. 

Did  ever  any  that  ruled  for  God,  seek  for  their  honour 
from  men,  or  doth  God  honour  such;  or  did  ever  any 
want  of  honour,  who  sought  the  honour  of  God  only, 
and  not  their  own? 

Is  not  the  spirit  of  meekness,  justice,  and  mercy,  with- 
out respect  of  persons,  the  spirit  of  the  living  God, 
which  being  in  a  magistrate,  he  is  most  like  God,  which 
makes  him  everlastingly  honourable  here, and  hereafter; 
which  is  true  honour  and  authority  ? 

Is  it  not  want  of  this  spirit  that  hath  made  rulers 
contemptible,  and  laid  them  open  to  plots,  murders,  and 
the  lusts  of  seditious  people  in  all  ages,  which  the  spirit 
of  God  keeps  out  of,  and  makes  their  latter  end  a  bless- 
ing to  following  generations? 

Was  not  persecution  ever  blind,  or  did  ever  the  princes 
of  this  world  know  the  Lord  of  life,  by  whom  he  hath 


(   265  ) 


suffered  in  all  ages,  though  they  have  been  always  warn- 
ed of  it  before  they  did  it; or  did  ever  the  innocent  suffer 
but  under  the  pretence  of  otTenders? 

Was  not  Christ  and  those  in  whom  he  was  most  seen, 
pilgrims  and  strangers  in  the  earth,  such  as  you  now 
call  vagabonds  and  wanderers,  whip  and  imprison, 
though  they  ask  you  nothing,  nor  ever  are  beholden  to 
the  world,  wherein  their  rest  is  not;  which  God  foresee- 
ing, hath  commanded  all  that  own  him,  to  entertain 
strangers;  and  made  a  law  for  it,  which  you  Jl^ave  a 
law  against?    Levit.xix.  34.  Heb.  iii.  2. 

Is  it  not  the  principal  end  of  magistrates,  to  judge  the 
cause  of  the  strangers,  poor,  and  helpless,  to  relieve  the 
oppressed,  and  set  the  prisoners  free,  &c. 

And  how  you  do  this,  let  that  of  God  in  your  con- 
sciences judge  for  him,  till  he  appear  to  plead  the  cause 
of  him  that  hath  no  helper  in  the  earth. 


34 


LOVE  TO  THE  LOST, 


AND  A  HAND  HELD  FORTH  TO  THE  HELPLESS,  TO  LEAD  OUT  OF 
^  THE  DARK. 

Wherein  h  plainly  held  out  Divers  particular  things,  as  they  are  learned  of 
Christ;  and  are  most  needful  to  be  known  of  all,  who  profess  godliness. 

Set  forth  chiefly  for  the  directing  the  simple  into  the  living  way  of  truth, 
as  it  is  in  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous,  that  therein  they  may  come  to  the 
life  and  power  of  that  which  the  world  hath  in  words;  which  being  re- 
ceived, satisfies  the  weary  soul,  and  makes  the  creature  well-pleasing  to 
his  maker. 


By  one  that  sought  the  redemption  of  Zion's  seed,  and  a  lover  of  the  crea- 
tion of  God,  who  was  called  in  derision  by  Ishmael's  seed,  a  Quaker- 
James  Nayler. 


We  have  found  him  whom  our  souls  love. 

And  greater  is  he  in  us,  than  he  that's  in  the  ivorld 


A  TABLE  OF  SEVERAL  PARTICULARS  FOLLOWING, 


Concerning  the  fall  of  man. 
Concerning  light  and  life. 
Concerning  righteousness. 
Concerning  the  word. 
Concerning  worship. 
Concerning  error,  heresy,  &c. 
Concerning  faith. 
Concerning  hope. 
Concerning  love. 
Concerning  judgment. 
Concerning  perfection. 
Concerning  government,  or  magis- 
tracy. 
Concerning  obedience. 


Concerning  good  works. 
Concerning  election  and  reprobation 
Concerning  the  new  birth. 
Concerning  the  baptism  of  Christ. 

from  that  the  world  so  calls. 
Concerning  the  Lord's  supper. 
Concerning  redemption. 
Concerning  justification,  sanctifica- 

tion  and  mortification. 
Concerning  the  law. 
Concerning  Christ  Jesus. 
Concerning  the  ministry  of  Christ- 
Concerning  free  will. 
Concerning  the  resurrection- 


(  267  ) 


LET  HI5I  THAT  READS  UNDERSTAND. 

Friends,  the  things  following,  which  I  have  declared 
of,  are  not  things  of  man,  nor  by  man  did  I  receive  them, 
but  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  contrary 
to  the  wisdom  and  will  of  man  i  ^or  to  the  wisdom  and 
will  of  man  do  I  commend  tiiem  to  be  received,  for  the 
natural  man's  wisdom  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the 
spirit  of  God,  therefore  would  devour  that  which  is 
born  thereof:  so  to  that  wisdom  I  appear  not,  being  a 
light  thing  to  me  to  be  judged  thereof:  but  if  any  one 
knows  the  gift  of  God,  and  a  measure  of  that  spirit 
which  openeth  the  bosom  of  the  ^ther,  and  reveals  his 
secrets  unto  babes,  the  least  measure  of  that  [if  not 
clouded  with  the  imaginations]  will  favour  these  things, 
and  to  such  they  may  be  profitable.  So  to  the  light  of 
Christ,  that  which  changeth  not,  in  every  one,  I  appear 
to  be  judged  and  discerned,  which  is  one  in  the  male 
and  in  the  female,  for  therein  alone  both  these  things, 
and  all  other  that  proceed  from  that  root,  make  for 
gathering  creatures  together  into  that  one  name  and  seed 
wherein  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  are  blessed,  as 
therewith  they  are  gathered  into  the  one  word  of  faith, 
and  power  of  life,  to  believe  and  speak  the  same  things 
in  the  godly  conversation,  which  leadeth  to  the  end  of 
all  rents,  schisms,  heresies  and  errors,  sects  and  divisions, 
to  be  baptized  into  that  one  name,  where  the  fulness  of 
God  is,  blessed  forever. 

So  whoever  thou  art  who  shalt  read  these  particu- 
lars following,  or  any  thereof,  and  shalt  find  any  thing 
which  for  the  present  thou  canst  not  receive;  be  not 
hasty  in  judging  that  which  yet  thou  knowest  not,  nor 
kick  against  that  which  comes  contrary  to  thy  will,  lest 
thou  put  far  from  thee  in  thy  will,  that  which  therewith 
thou  canst  not  call  again,  and  the  day  of  thy  visitation 
pass  over  unawares,  and  in  the  evil  day  thou  be  made 
to  cry  out,  how  have  I  hated  instruction,  and  resisted 
the  day  of  healing! 

And  this  know,  that  no  prophecy  of  old  ever  came 
by  the  will  of  man,  nor  by  the  will  of  man  could  be 


(  268  ) 


received ;  but  by  those  that  stood  in  their  own  wills 
was  ever  resisted ;  and  so  will  it  be  in  these  things,  un- 
less with  the  eye  that  never  changeth  thou  readest  them, 
which  if  thou  knowest  such  a  thing  in  thee,  and  stand- 
est  single  therein,  in  the  meek  spirit,  not  lifted  up  above 
thy  measure,  thou  wilt  come  to  feel  how  that  of  God 
in  thee  answers  to  the  things  of  God,  as  face  answers 
face;  and  find  them  to  agree  with  the  life  of  the  scrip- 
tures, though  fertile  present  some  things  appear  darkly; 
for  to  that  seed  fwhich  is  not  of  this  world,  which/fa- 
vours spiritually,  and  judgeth  not  according  to  outward 
appearance^  is  my  service.  And  to  that  of  God  in 
every  conscience  am  I  manifest,  if  therein  I  be  received; 
however  a  good  savour  am  I  unto  the  Lord,  in  them 
that  are  saved,  and  in  them  that  perish,  at  that  day 
when  it  shall  appear  that  I  have  not  handled  the  word 
of  God  deceitfully,  though  with  the  swine  that  feed  on 
the  husks,  this  may  be  trampled  on,  and  I^sought  to  be 
rent,  if  to  such  it  come,  to  whom  I  send  it  not. 


CONCERNING  THE   FALL  OF  MAN. 

In  the  beginning  God  made  all  things  good,-  so  did  he 
man,  whom  then  he  made  in  his  own  image,  and  placed 
in  him  his  own  wisdom  and  power;  whereby  he  was  com- 
pletely furnished  with  dominion,  power  and  authority 
over  the  works  of  God's  hands,  knowing  the  nature  and 
use  of  each  creature,  by  that  image  God  had  placed  in 
him  of  himself  who  in  that  state  was  the  son  of  God, 
whose  seed  was  in  himself.    God  also  placed  the  tree 
of  life  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  and  the  tree  of  knowl- 
edge of  good  and  evil^  and  both  of  these  were  good  in 
their  place,  but  the  tree  of  knowledge  not  good  for  food ; 
therefore  did  he  that  made  it,  forewarn  of  feeding  upon 
it,  as  that  wherein  death  was,  as  in  the  other  tree  was 
life.    And  herein  was  the  blessing  and  the  curse,  the 
life  and  the  death,  the  obedience  and  the  disobedience, 
election  and  reprobation^  ^nd  these  were  good  in  their 
place,  whilst  man  stood  in  his  place,  guided  by  that 
which  placed  him  in  the  good,  and  forewarned  him  of 


(   269  ) 


the  knowledge,  and  gave  him  power  against  it^  whilst  he 
stood  in  that  will  which  had  set  all  these  things  in  their 
place,  which  will  was  free  from  God, and  from  sin, and  the 
will  of  God  and  the  will  of  man  agreed,  and  so  at  uni- 
ty with  all  the  creation.    But  when  man  looked  out  into 
the  other,  where  he  prevailed  who  abode  not  in  the 
truth,  wherein  the  disobedience  was  received  in,  of  that 
which  was  contrary  to  the  will  of  God  to  feed  upon, 
then  he  joined  to  that  which  was  contrary,  wherein  the 
weakness  was,  and  the  death,  darkness  and  blindness, 
as  to  the  things  of  God,  anci^o  that  which  freely  man 
had  received  of  God^  but  wHen  he  grew  subtil  within 
himself,  and  wise  to  do  evil,  he  lost  the  will  that  was 
free  to  wait  upon  God  in  his  wisdom  and  counsel,  freely 
to  be  carried  forth  by  him;  and  scfrom  the  uprightness 
and  innocency,  and  pure  wisdom,  and  spiritual  power, 
which  God  hath  placed  in  his  heart,  he  fell,  and  into  the 
self  inventions  which  he  had  chosen  in  the  contrary  will,' 
and  so  entering  into  the  forbidden  things,  became  ac- 
cursed, lost  the  sense  of  the  measure  of  God's  grace, 
his  honour  and  likeness,  in  which  he  stood  above  the 
creation,  and  so  became  brutish  in  his  understanding,  and 
as  to  the  things  of  Gon|  forjhe  sense  of  the  seed  he  had 
lost,  wherein  the  election,  tlie  wisdom,  the  authority,  and 
all  happiness,  present  and  eternal,  did  consist;  and  so 
became  led  by  another  seed,  wherein  God  had  left  emp- 
tiness of  himself,  which  was  raised  up  for  dishonour. — 
And  here  it  is  that  man  hath  lost  his  dominion  over  the 
devil,  by  letting  him  in,  which  otherwise  had  never  pow- 
er further  than  to  proffer  or  tempt^  vvhich  now  being  got 
in,  with  a  show  of  God  and  godliness,  into  the  temple 
of  God,  the  principal  part  in  man,  and  man  having  joui- 
ed  in  with  him,  now  is  become  his  captive,  in  whom  he  » 
makes  havoc,  beguiling  him  of  the  life  of  simplicity 
and  godliness,  and  perverting  his  ways,  as  to  the  end  for 
which  man  was  made^  ^ea,  the  mercies  that  God  gives 
to  that  creature,  he  being  above  and  ruler  in  the  heart, 
are  turned  to      lust,  that  is  carnal  and  self-ended  ;1  and 
to  thmA.  lust  and  self-ended  things,  the  man*s  become  a 


*The  fall  of  man  in  general,  a5  well  as  the  particular  is  touched  io  this 
part  of  his  book. 


(  270  j 

servant,  yea,  hath  so  lost  his  dominion,  ^  he  is  brought 
to  serve  the  creature,  over  which  he  was  ruler.  Hence 
it  is  that  men  become  servants,  and  are  captivated,  some 
with  covetousness,  some  with  pride,  some  with  lust  and 
many  other  several  things,  which  are  become  lords  in 
the  heart  of  man,  whereby  he  is  hurried  with  all  eager- 
ness out  of  all  moderation,  hunting  after  vanity  and  fol- 
ly I  yea,  what  vain  toys  and  foolish  trifles  habfa  led  away 
the  heart  of  man  from  the  pure  wisdom  of  his  God,  till 
he  scarce  knows  any  end  of  running  after  changeable 
things,  gluttony  and  excess  in  diet,  yet  not  satisfied; 
foolery  in  apparel,  without  all  stay  or  stop,  being  wholly 
fallen  from  that  which  is  unchangeable  (the  true  satis- 
faction and  honour)  Und  the  further  man  goes  in  this 
state,  the  more  emptiness  and  darkness  comes  in  upon 
himself;  and  being  fallen  under  the  earthly  principle,  he 
is  covered  with  thick  darkness,  so  that  ^the  mind  of  God 
he  knows  not,  nor  his  own  woeful  state  he  sees  not,  the 
God  of  this  world  having  blinded  the  eye  which  should 
shew  him  his  misery,  and  the  ear  being  stopt,  which 
should  hear  the  voice  of  the  souls  sheplierd,  whereby  he 
should  be  quickened,  his  eye  and  ear  being  led  out  to 
carnal  things,  and  those  captivated,  so  that  the  voice 
of  the  spirit  he  knows  not.    And  so  being  become  heart- 
blind,  cannot  receive  the  way  in  spirit:  and  whatsoever 
is  spoken  to  man  in  this  state,  in  love  to  the  soul  which 
lies  in  death,  the  serpent  being  above  upon  the  earth, 
seeks  to  catch  into  the  imaginations^  and  the  creature 
being  led  to  consult  with  him  there,  in  the  flesh,  he  be- 
guiles the  creature  of  the  simplicity,  and  so  keeps  the 
creature  in  self,  that  he  regards  not  the  seed  of  God, 
which  suffers  under  all  this  death  and  darkness^so  long 
as  the  creature  will  but  barken  to  him,  and  his  lying 
promises,  he  will  lead  him  from  one  thing  to  another  in  ^ 
things  without,  but  never  to  see  that  from  whence  he  is 
fallen.    Therefore  to  all  in  this  state,  Christ  and  all  his 
ministers  preached  repentance,  that  all  might  turn  their 
rainds  from  these  dead  works  to  the  living  God,  who  is 
a  spirit,  known  in  spirit,  and  so  worshipped^  whose  king- 
dom is  within,  and  whose  light  is  in  the  midst  of  all  this 
darkness,  though  the  darkness  comprehend  it  not;  but  as 


(   271  ) 


many  as  repent  of  their  following  this  way  of  self-wis- 
dom and  knowledge,  and  come  to  stand  still,  to  such  he 
shows  his  salvation,  and  his  kingdom  near  at  hand, 
which  the  serpent,  whilst  they  follow  him,  doth  put  afar 
off.  And  as  the  mind  is  staid  to  wait  for  the  kingdom 
of  God  in  spirit,  the  0od  of  the  world  comes  to  be  de- 
nied and  resisted;  and  as  the  mind  is  staid  in  the  light, 
from  hearkening  to  the  earthly,  so  that  soul  that  lies  in 
death,  comes  to  hear  the  voice  of  the  ^on  of  God,  and 
to  receive  life  and  strength  from  the  word^  whereby  it  is 
raised  out  of  the  grave,  and  appears  above  the  earth,  to 
receive  from  the  father  the  dew  of  Heaven,  whereby  it 
is  nourished  and  refreshed.  And  as  man  beholds  the 
seed  growing,  so  he  comes  to  see  the  new  creation,  and 
what  he  lost  in  the  fall^  and  so  is  restored  by  the  power 
of  the  word,  the  son  of  God,  into  his  dominion,  power 
and  purity,  made  able  to  resist  the  devil,  to  choose  the 
thing  that  is  good,  and  delight  in  it,  as  before  he  delight- 
ed in  the  contrary  r  fo  comes  man  to  be  reconciled  to  his 
maker  in  the  eternal  unity,  beyond  what  is  to  be  express- 
ed ;  the  wisdom  and  power  received  from  above,  where- 
by the  heart  is  set  free  from  corruption,  and  made  able 
to  escape  the  pollutions  of  the  world,  and  to  run  the  pure 
ways  with  delight,  which  is  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
sons  of  God,  the  resurrection  in  Christ  from  the  dead  in 
Adam,  and  the  entrance  into  the  everlasting  rest. 

And  now  all,  who  find  yourselves  fallen  from  your 
dominion,  that  measure  of  God  which  he  placed  in  man, 
from  which  he  received  power  and  wisdom  over  the  evil 
one;  and  now  find  yourselves  led  captive  with  the  evil 
one,  into  the  ways  of  death  sin  and  evil,  so  that  corrup- 
tion hath  got  dominion  on  you,  and  over  you ;  never  look 

1^  to  be  restored  by  that  which  leads  out,  for  that  w^iich 
acts  in  the  flesh  is  only  evil,  and  will  lead  you  from 
mountain  to  hill,  and  so  keep  you  doing  without,  in  self, 
without  life  and  power,  healing  yourselves  in  false  per- 
suasions,  vyhich  will  not  stand  in  stead  in  the  evil  day, 

I  Vfior  reconcile  to  God,  to  be  accepted  in  any  thing  you  do  ; 
for  that  is  the  first  man  with  his  righteousness;  but  to 
that  from  which  you  are  fallen  must  you  look,  and  return 
into  that  from  which  you  are  gone  out,  that  by  the  light 


(  272  ) 


that's  in  the  midst  of  all  this  darkness  and  death,  you 
may  be  led  in  again  by  the  blood  of  the  cross,  through 
the  fire  and  sword,  into  the  garden  of  God^  where  he 
plants  and  feeds^  into  which  the  old  man,  with  his  will 
and  works,  cannot  enter,  nor  he  whose  leader  is  any  vis- 
ible thingi  for  by  the  spirit  from  whence  man  is  fallen 
and  gone  out,  by  the  same  must  he  be  led  in  again ;  and 
that  ^eed  which  man  hath  sinned  against,  must  make 
the  atonement,  or  perfect  peace,  to  which  the  said 
promise  is,  which  is  free,  and  sets  all  free,  as  they  are 
born  thereof;  ^lo  that  which  leads  out  into  the  knowledge 
is  the  fall;  but  that  which  leads  into  the  simplicity  of 
life,  which  is  manifest  in  the  spirit,  and  not  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  first  man,  that  leads  to  the  resurrection  of 
life;  for  it  is  the  hidden  wisdom  that  God  ordained  be- 
fore the  world  unto  glory;  so  to  the  hidden  man  of  the 
heart  must  you  look  to  find  it,  which  is  not  corruptible. 


CONCERNING  LIGHT  AND  LIFE. 

God  is  the  life  of  every  creature,  though  few  there  be 
that  know  it,  for  the  darkness  sees  him  not  nor  his  life^ 
though  the  children  of  darkness  have  got  words  in  the 
scripture  (which  were  given  forth  from  the  light)  to  talk 
of,  yet  such  know  not  God  present;  for  the  first  begin- 
ning or  appearance  of  God  in  the  world  is  by  li^ht ;  God 
said.  Let  there  be  light,  and  it  was  so.  And  this  light 
God  saw  that  it  was  good.  That  which  was  in  the  be- 
ginning with  God,  was  the  word,  by  which  all  things 
were  made  and  seen,  and  without  this  was  nothing  made 
that  was  made,  nor  any  thing  seen  to  be  good  ;  and  dark- 
ness was  over  the  face  of  all  the  waters,  till  the  light/ 
wi«^  from  the  word  came,  who  is  the  life,  w^hich  life 
is  the  light  of  men|  So  none  can  see  the  life  but  with 
the  light,  which  from  the  life  comes,  which  to  the  life 
leads  all  that  come.  So  this  that  was  in  the  beginning 
is  given  to  keep  in  order  all  the  creation;  that  is  good, 
but  the  darkness  comprehends  it  not,  though  it  shine  in 
it;  so  all  that  abide  in  the  darkness  are  destroyed,  not 
discerning  the  life,  to  order  and  govern  the  creation  in 
the  light. 


(  273  ) 


So  all  that  go  out  of  the  light,  go  into  darkness,  and 
iiere  the  life  and  image  of  God  is  lost,  and  there  is  the 
fall;  and  all  who  there  abide,  are  reserved  in  chains  of 
darkness,  not  knowing  the  life  which  breaks  the  bonds 
and  chains  of  iniquity,  and  opens  the  grave  and  prison 
door.  And  here  the  soul  being  in  death,  breathing  after 
the  light,  but  darkness  is  got  above;  in  the  darkness  is 
the  creature  led  into  sects,  opinions  and  errors,  after 
the  imaginations  to  seek  life;  but  further,  it  runs  here  to 
the  sensual  wisdom, further  into  death  and  darkness,  till 
the  creature  be  so  blinded  in  the  understanding,  that  he 
thinks  and  imagines  he  doth  God  service,  when  he  is 
acting  against  the  life  of  God,  both  in  himself  and  oth- 
ers |  so  comes  the  creature  of  God,  and  his  life,  where- 
with God  did  furnish  him  to  do  his  will,  wholly  to  be  lost, 
and  the  gospel  hid  that  should  recover  him  again,  the 
God  of  this  world  having  so  blinded  the  mind,  and  there- 
by so  far  alienated  him  from  the  life  of  God,  that  he 
neither  hath  power  and  life  to  do  the  will  of  God,  nor 
receives  the  light  to  know  where  to  have  it.  In  this 
condition  of  death,  and  without  the  life  of  God,  shall 
the  creature  never  be  without  profession,  or  some  con- 
ceit or  other,  to  keep  in  a  vain  hope  of  salvation. 

Aad  here  is  the  sole  ground  and  cause  why  we  have 
so  many  sorts  of  forms,  and  opinions,  and  ways  to  wor- 
ship, but  none  that  do  good,  nor  live  in  what  they  say, 
because  all  have  lost  the  life  of  God,  which  is  only 
able  to  bring  forth  the  righteousness  of  God.  And  self 
having  got  the  form,  into  the  imagination,  above  the  life, 
cannot  receive  the  light  that^s  hid  and  condemns  it.  So 
all  the  world  lies  in  darkness,  yea,  thick  darkness  is  up- 
on all  the  seas,  and  the  great  depth  is  covered  witii 
gross  darkness;  and  from  thence  is  the  imagination 
spread  over  all,  so  that  none  can  witness  the  work  of 
God,  neither  know  the  beginning  nor  end  thereof  j  ^nd 
this  is  the  cause  of  condemnation,  and  it  rests  upon  all 
who  are  out  of  the  life  of  God;  and  no  other  way  there 
is  appointed  of  the  father,  to  come  out  of  this  condition, 
but  Christ  Jesus  the  light  and  life  of  meny  who  is  the 
light  that  is  in  the  world,  though  the  world  kno  v  him 
not;  which  light  shines  in  darkness,  but  cannot  there- 


(  274  ) 


With  be  comprehended ;  which  light  is  the  revealer  ot 
darkness,  and  manifests  the  deeds  thereof/  und  the  first 
appearance  of  this  in  the  creature,  shows  the  darkness, 
and  captivity  that  is  in  the  darkness ;  till  which  the  crea- 
ture never  comes  to  see  the  wretched  condition  that  man 
IS  in,  who  is  without  God  the  life;  nor  till  then  will  the 
creature  be  willing  to  stand  still  to  see  God's  salvation; 
but  is  full  with  vain  hopes,  conceits,  and  imaginations, 
and  the  vail  is  over  the  heart,  and  what  God  hath  there 
written  is  not  seen;  and  so  being  whole,  needs  not  the 
physician.  And  with  this  blind  heart  the  creature  reads 
the  scriptures,  and  steals  the  promises  that  the  children 
of  light  spoke  of,  who  had  the  life,  whereby  the  seed 
was  raised  out  of  the  grave;  to  which  the  promise  isf 
but  neither  know  law  nor  gospel ;  neither  came  so  far  as 
Moses,  yet  boasting  of  Christ. 

But  when  the  light  is  minded,  the  creature  comes  to 
see  death  reigning,  and  self  alive  without  the  law 
with  that  light  which  was  given  to  keep  out  of  the  pol- 
lution and  defilements,  and  so  to  keep  clear  and  unspot- 
ted. With  that  light,  this  is  seen  and  judged,  which 
hath  passed  over  life  and  defiled  man,^  and  that  which 
hath  gendered  to  bondage  is  seen,  and  the  hardness  of 
heart  cometh  to  be  felt,  and  the  cause  seen,  even  the 
great  transgression  of  the  pure  law|  ^nd  so  comes  the 
fear  of  God  to  take  hold  of  the  man  that  hath  lived  out 
of  the  life  of  God,  and  taken  pleasure  in  unrighteous- 
ness; find  the  creature  then  finds  trouble  within,  even 
where  the  strong  man  did  keep  the  house  in  peace 
and  abiding  in  the  light,  the  cause  and  end  of  it  is 
seen;  and  dwelling  in  the  fear,  wisdom  is  received 
from  above  to  depart  from  the  iniquity^  and  in  departing 
from  the  iniquity,  there  is  a  coming  near  to  God ;  so  the 
light  grows  and  springs,  as  there  is  a  coming  nearer  to 
the  just  path  of  life.  And  as  the  light  ariseth  the  cre- 
ation is  seen,  and  how  the  enmity  hath  spread  over,  and 
how  the  lust  hath  defiled  it,  and  how  that  which  was 
planted  as  a  vineyard,  is  become  as  a  wilderness  for 
barrenness,  grown  over  with  thorns,  and  briars,  sturdy 
oaks,  and  tall  cedars,  for  want  of  the  vine-dresser;  and 
where  the  lilly  should  grow,  it's  grown  over  with  weeds, 


(   275  ) 


thistles,  and  nettles;  so  that  God  walks  not  there,  be.= 
cause  of  the  great  abomination ;  and  that  is  the  cause  of 
all  your  woe,  even  his  absence. 

And  when  you  see  this,  the  lamentation  begins  in  the 
house  of  laughter,  even  after  him  from  whom  you  have 
fallen  I  ^nd  as  you  follow  the  light,  and  come  nearer  to 
the  Lord,  from  whence  it  comes,  you  will  see  that  is  only 
your  own  wills  and  ways  that  have  separated  you  from 
the  boly  ^ne.  And  with  the  light  you  will  come  to  see 
how  often  you  have  been  moved  by  the  spirit  of  light, 
from  your  evil  ways;  and  that  the  cause  why  you  have 
been  thus  long  in  the  fall,  hath  been  in  self-will  and 
worldly  pleasures,  whereby  the  life  hath  suffered}  pever 
till  then  come  any  to^see  him  whom  they  have  pierced, 
nor  to  lament  over  him,  nor  to  see  what  it  is  that  oppress- 
eth  the  just;  nor  to  hate  that  which  God  hates,  and  love 
that  which  he  loves  in  any  measure;  butjoin^  with  that 
which  destroys  the  soul  from  the  life;  and  it  makes  a 
profession,  a  prayer  against  it  in  words,  and  that]s  the 
pharisee  and  hypocrite,  who  with  the  words  destroy|i  the 
life,  who  make|  a  profession  above  the  life,  but  not  in 
the  life|  ^nd  this  is  he  that  climbeth  up  some  other  way, 
thfnthe  life,  which  is  the  door,  to  which  the  light  leads^ 
J  ^nd  in  this  state  are  all  the  high-minded  lofty  ones, 
whose  mouths  speak  of  great  things,  swelling  words  of 
vanity  [for  so  are  words  without  life]  empty  brass,  giving 
a  pleasant  sound  to  the  carnal  ear,  but  cannot  evidence 
the  life,  and  the  words  of  it ;  who  have  the  saints  words 
present,  but  their  righteousness  is  as  far  off  as  Judea, 
Corinth,  Thessalonica,  &c.  And  these  are  they,  who  in 
words  confess,  but  in  works  deny  him ;  who  have  a  large 
faith  in  words,  but  to  the  good  work  reprobate;  for  none 
can  be  of  any  true  judgment  concerning  the  work  of 
God,  who  are  strangers  to  the  life  that  works  it. 


CONCERNING  RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

That  righteousness,  which  God  accepts,  is  but  one, 
which  is  his  own,  perfectly  fulfilled  and  manifest  in  the 
world  in  Christ  Jesus  the  light  and  saviour  thereof; 
which  righteousness  is  not  of  the  world,  nor  manifest  to 


•^i,  276  ) 


lj)e  world,  Dor  in  the  world  received,  nor  can  the  worlc 
inherit  it;  but  only  they  who  believe  in  the  light  or 
Christ,  which  God  has  given  into  the  world,  to  lead  out 
of  the  world,  to  Christ,  where  God's  righteousness  is. — 
Though  there  be  many  talkers  of  this  righteousness,  yet 
none  inherit  it  farther  than  by  faith  they  receive  the  son 
of  righteousness;  and  with  him  his  righteousness  is 
/  freely  imputed,  being  put  into  the  creature,  a  free  gift 
from  the  father;  and  with  this  righteousness  is  the  crea- 
ture made  righteous,  even  as  he  is  righteous,  even  as  the 
measure  of  light  from  Christ  is  received,  and  no  farther; 
and  whose  life  is  kept  in  the  measure  of  him,  as  he  is, 
so  are  we  in  this  present  world,  and  not  of  this  world, 
even  as  he  is  not  of  this  world;  and  herein  is  boldness 
in  the  day  of  judgment,  in  that  which  is  perfect:  and  all 
that  is  against  perfection  is  self;  and  with  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christy  denied  in  the  light;  which  condemns  all 
self-actings,  under  what  pretence  soever. 

So  who  abides  in  that  righteousness,  abides  in  that 
which  denies  self,  and  the  w^orld;  and  so  lives  in  obedi- 
ence to  that  which  is  contrary  to  mens  wills,  and  so  eve- 
ry where  evil  spoken  on ;  for  the  will  of  man  worketh 
not  the  righteousness  of  God  ;  but  this  righteousness  is 
wrought  in  the  creature,  in  that  obedience  which  is  con- 
trary to  the  will  of  the  flesh  i  and  in  the  faith  by  the 
eternal  spirit,  is  the  new  begetting,  both  of  the  will  and 
the  deed ;  and  so  the  new  is  born  both  of  the  spirit  and 
life.  And  so  far  as  any  have  this  righteousness,  he  doth 
not  lie  under  sin,  nor  give  place  to  the  devil ;  but  it  is  as 
a  breast-plate  against  all  assaults,  on  the  right  hand 
and  on  the  left;  and  all  who  have  not  this,  are  they  who 
have  that  which  will  not  stand  in  stead  in  the  evil  day. 
So  you  that  say,  your  righteousness  is  as  filthy  rags,  why 
do  you  abide  in  that?  God's  righteousness  is  not  so; 
wherefore  cease  from  that,  and  own  that  which  is  per- 
fect; even  that  everlasting  righteousness,  in  which-  all 
his  saints  have  been  gathered  into  himself;  who  can 
receive  nothing  but  what^s  his  own,  and  it  must  be  yours 
also,  else  can  you  not  be  received  in  it.  In  vain  do  you 
blow  wickedness,  and  sow  iniquity^  and  think  to  reap 
righteousness. 


(   277  ) 


So  with  the  light  you  may  see  what  works  in  yon.  and 
0  what  you  yield  yourselves  servants,  to  that  you  bring 
orth  while  you  live,  that  will  go  with  you:  but  if  you 
\\n  no  works  in  you.  but  what  God  works;  you  shall 
lave  no  righteousness  but  what  is  perfect,  even  the  least 
measure  of  it. 

And  as  you  obey  unto  this  righteousness,  you  shall 
see  the  spiritual  man  raised,  and  living,  and  the  bonds 
of  death  broken,  and  that  living  which  gives  power  over 
hell  and  death;  then  may  you  say,  the  spirit  is  life  be- 
cause of  righteousness:  and  your  dead  profession  will 
be  judged  with  the  life,  as  it  arises,  and  is  seen  to  be 
fruitless. 

But  this  is  blasphemy  in  your  own  eyes,  who  have 
made  Christ's  righteousness  a  cover  for  your  abomina- 
tion? What  wickedness  now  is  so  vile  in  these  nations, 
but  the  righteousness  of  Christ  is  made  a  cover,  and 
men  bless  themselves  therewith  m  the  greatest  abomi- 
nation? And  this  hath  its  beginning  at  the  head  of 
the  deceit,  and  is  gone  over  all  the  whole  body.  For  to 
cover  your  wickedness,  pride  and  covetousness,  have 
vour  teachers  invented  this  faith,  that  it's  sufficient  to 
believe  in  a  righteousness  you  read  of  in  the  letter, 
(though  you  be  not  obedient  to  it  in  spirit.)  But  you 
that  are  not  servants  of  righteousness,  are  no  servants 
of  Christ's,  and  his  works;  and  your  faith,  without  his 
works,  will  be  little  worth  to  salvation  ;  and  even  as  it 
saves  you  out  of  sin.  so  will  it  save  you  out  of  condem- 
nation, and  no  farther.  And  this,  that  in  your  conscience 
will  witness,  if  you  take  counsel  at  it:  no  further  than 
you  find  the  power  of  his  righteousness  working  in  you. 
and  you  owning  it  in  obedience  and  subjection,  and  join- 
ing to  it  against  all  unrighteousness,  no  more  of  it  you 
can  inherit,  nor  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in 
him. 

And  at  that  day  when  he  comes  to  separate  the  pre  - 
cious from  the  vile,  then  will  you  see  in  what  stead  your 
notions  of  righteousness  are,  when  the  worker  of  iniqui- 
ty is  found,  and  judged  with  Christ's  righteousness,  of 
whicn  you  have  been  boasting  in  words,  without  the 
power  of  it:  by  the  power  and  purity  of  it  shall  all  the 


(   278  ) 


workers  of  iniquity  be  judged  and  condemned.  So  de- 
ceive not  yourselves^  he  that  works  righteousness  is 
righteous,  even  as  He  is  righteous;  but  he  that  talks  of 
this,  and  commits  sin,  is  of  the  devil,  and  with  him  must 
inherit,  by  whom  he  is  acted  and  guided;  for  God's 
righteousness  will  not  mix  with,  nor  cover  deceit,  nor 
was  it  ever  given  for  that  purpose;  but  as  it  is  obeyed, 
it  reveals  and  destroys  man's  righteousness  and  un- 
righteousness, as  it  is  reavealed  from  faith  to  faith,  by 
which  the  just  live,  and  the  unjust  perish  and  pass  unto 
death.  And  all  who  have  Christ's  righteousness  can 
witness  this  effect,  to  kill  and  make  alive,  as  by  faith  it 
is  received ;  and  this  is  Zion's  righteousness  that  goes 
forth  as  brightness,  and  the  salvation  thereof  as  a  lamp 
that  burneth,  that  the  gentiles  may  see  it,  and  its  glory, 
and  the  heathen  be  ashamed  of  their  abomination. 

Be  ashamed  you  heathens,  who  have  hid  the  Lord's 
righteousness;  who  have  exalted  the  idols  of  the  world, 
and  bring  forth  to  the  oppressor^  who  have  bowed  down 
to  the  Crod  of  this  world  and  his  begettings  are  in  all 
houses,  and  assemblies;  and  the  name  of  the  Lord  you 
have  polluted  before  all  the  world ;  yet  will  you  lean 
upon  the  Lord,  and  say,  the  righteousness  of  Christ |  in 
that  you  have  more  dishonoured  his  righteousness,  th^n 
all  that  ever  were  before  you;  and  the  name  of  a  chris- 
tian is  become  a  reproach  in  all  the  world,  because  of 
your  unfaithfulness  to  his  righteousness. 

For  this  will  lie  plead  with  you,  and  will  take  from  you 
the  covering,  that  you  may  appearyand  he  will  bring 
forth  his  righteousness  to  your  confusion,  and  his  own 
shall  witness  him  in  the  gate,  and  his  work  shall  praise 
him  openly ;  so  shall  all  sinners  be  afraid,  and  fearfulness 
surprise  the  hypocrite,  SHid  when  God  shall  openly  own 
his  own  righteousness,  and  judge  the  wicked  after  the 
works  of  their  hands. 


CONCERNING  THE  WORD. 

The  ^ord  is  that  which  was  in  the  beginning,  and 
was  the  beginning  of  all  visible  things,  and  that  by 
which  all  things  were  made,  but  itself  is  invisible;  which 


(   279  ) 

though  it  be  the  upholder  of  all  visible  things,  yet  can 
no  visible  thing  reveal  it;  yet  doth  it  reveal  the  ground 
and  use,  and  end  of  all  visibles.  And  as  without  it, 
was  nothing  made  that  was  made,  so  without  it,  is  no- 
thing seen,  as  it  was  made,  nor  any  thing  can  be  guided, 
nor  used  in  its  pure  place;  but  whatever  man  meddles 
with,  not  having  the  ^ord  in  him,  to  guide,  order,  and 
sanctify,  the  same  he  defiles,  and  it  is  polluted  as  to 
him.  Nor  can  this  word  be  comprehended  in  heaven, 
or  earth;  without  this  word  can  no  holy  scripture  be 
read  with  profit,  for  it  opens  the  scriptures  of  truth,  and 
the  scriptures  declare  of  it;  yet  cannot  the  scriptures, 
nor  all  the  writings  of  the  world  comprehend  it,  nor  de- 
clare the  depth  and  extent  of  it,  which  is  beyond  all 
generations;  yet  it  is  the  teacher  and  guide  of  his 
own  in  all  generations;  and  in  all  generations  of 
saints  hath  been  known  in  measure,  more  or  less  im- 
mediately, though  it  hath  no  place  in  the  world's  pro- 
fession. 

So  hearing  of  a  i^ord,  but  not  knowing  it,  men  say 
the  letter  is  it.  But  who  hath  the  word,  hath  that 
which  comprehends  death,  and  hell,  and  the  grave; 
that  which  binds  and  chains  satar>,  overcomes  the  world, 
gives  issues  of  life  and  light,  whereby  the  new  creation 
is  known,  wherein  dw^ells  righteousness;  and  this  every 
one  hath,  so  far  as  he  hath  the  >^ord  abiding  in  him; 
but  so  hath  not  every  one  that  hath  the  letter.  Nor 
can  any  man's  will  change  the  word,  for  it  is  contrary 
to  all  men's  wills;  nor  can  any  man's  wit  open  or  ex- 
pound this  word,  which  confounds  the  wisdom  of  the 
Avise,  and  brings  the  understanding  of  the  prudent  to 
nought;  that  hides  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  re- 
veals to  babes;  and  the  word  grows  and  increases  with- 
in the  babes,  but  so  doth  not  the  letter:  and  it^s  a  fire 
and  hammer  to  all  that  have  it,  but  so  is  not  the  letter: 
it  is  quick  and  powerful,  to  the  dividing  asunder  the 
joints  and  marrow,  the  soul  and  spirit,  wherever  it  is, 
so  is  not  the  letter.  And  the  word  is  a  reproach  to 
every  carnal  mind,  even  to  them  who  only  profess  the 
letter.  Whosoever  have  the  word,  with  it  are  washed 
and  cleansed,  and  translated  from  the  world,  and  con- 


(  280  ) 


fonned  to  God,  so  far  as  they  have  it;  and  it  reconciies 
to  God  all  that  have  it;  but  many  have  the  letter,  who 
know  not  God,  bnt  are  in  the  unclean  customs,  and 
fashions,  and  ways  of  the  w^orid,  not  changed,  nor  re- 
conciled. 

None  can  keep  the  word,  and  his  sins  both,  but  the 
letter  without  he  may,  for  wherever  the  word  is  known, 
the  new  creature  is  witnessed,  who  is  created  to  walk 
in  righteousness;  and  who  hath  the  word,  sees  all^  who 
say  they  know  the  word  and  walk  not  in  righteousness, 
to  be  liars,  and  do  not  the  truth;  and  with  the  word  of 
truth  are  such  cast  out,  and  judged  to  be  those  who  dis- 
honour the  vtord.as  though  it  were  a  polluted  thing,  or 
could  dwell  with  pollution;  which  is  a  fire  to  burn  up 
all  uncleanness,  wherever  it  is;  and  where  sin  stands, 
the  vs^ord  is  not  known. 

But  such,  reading  of  the  Word,  (which  came  to  the 
saints,  in  obedience  to  which  they  were  washed  and 
purified,  in  which  they  were  begotten  again)  they  find- 
ing that  the  saints  had  this  word,  such  readers  only 
not  knowing  it,  they  say  the  letter  is  it,  which  doth  but 
declare  of  it^  and  so  their  word  hath  not  power  in  them, 
to  overcome  the  devil,  and  break  the  bonds  of  wicked- 
ness; whereas  the  word  of  God  is  not  bound,  but  free 
and  sets  free  all  that  obey  it,  and  have  it  abiding  in  them, 
which  breaks  down  the  seat  of  sin,  and  raises  up  and 
quickens  the  seed  of  God,  which  lives  in  the  life  of  God, 
(which  through  sin,  death  hath  passed  over)  and  also 
quickens  the  mortal  body  to  newness  of  life.  So  that 
the  old  life  and  the  vrord  cannot  stand  together  in  one 
body;  nor  doth  the  old  man,  who  lives  in  that  life  know 
any  word, but  the  letter;  and  the  life  of  that  he  knows 
not;  but  in  the  imagination  searches  with  the  fallen 
wisdom  for  that  which  God  hath  in  his  wisdom  hid  from 
it;  and  in  this  is  all  the  darkness;  to  this  man  the^scrip- 
tures  are  spoken  as  a  parable  and  mystery;  which  in 
that  disobedient  wisdom  cannot  be  found  out;  $o  is  the 
simplicity  deceived  with  meanings,  addings,  and  wres- 
tings,  which  are  all  in  that  man  that  cannot  enter,  in 
whom  the  Word  dwells  not,  nor  can  any  thing  Such  do, 
be  accepted,  because  it  is  not  from  the  word,  for  all  tha^ 


(  281  ) 

comes  not  from  the  'Word,  by  the  Word  is  condemned 
not  to  be  the  work  of  God ;  for  all  that  God  made,  he 
made  it  by  the  Word ;  and  it  was  seen  in  the  light,  to 
be  good,  which  was  made  with  the  Word.  And  here  all 
stood  in  the  reconciliation  to  God;  but  when  man  went 
out  from  the  word,  then  he  went  out  from  the  good,  and 
so  with  the  light  was  seen  to  be  in  the  evil,*  and  so  was 
accursed  from  the  same  \^ord,  against  which  he  had  sin- 
ned/ |ind  so  iong^asDut  of  that  Word  he  acts,  all  is  ac- 
cursed,^being  self,  and  not  God  that  works  it. 

And  so  man  being  gone  out  into  the  world,  the  light 
of  the  gospel  is  preached  to  turn  man  again  to  know 
the  word,' that  coming  to  the  knowledge  thereof  in  his 
heart,  and  having  his  mind  stayed  thereto,  in  the  light, 
he  may  come  to  see  the  power  of  the  v^brd  working  in 
spirit,  working  out  the  unclean  nature,  and  the  rebellious 
will,  and  working  in  the  pure  nature  in  the  cross,  slay- 
ing the  carnal  man  with  all  his  affections ;  and  so  through 
death  thereof  raising  up  the  new  man,  making  a  new- 
creation^  in  Christ  Jesus,  with  power  unto  good  works 
from  the  eternal  iford/  ^nd  this  God  owns'  when  he  is 
the  mover  thereof,  and  worker  also,  and  the  creature 
only  servant  therein,  in  the  same  power. 

And  this  is  not  a  self-taken-on  performance  from  the 
letter,  but  is  In  the  eternal  counsel  and  strength  of  God, 
commanded,  moved,  and  performed  in  God's  will  and 
time,-and  contrary  to  the  will  of  the  flesh,"  whereby  the 
will  of  all  flesh  is  subdued,  even  all  that  is  come  in  since 
the  beginning,  till  all  be  seen  in  the  light  to  be  good,  and 
the  work  of  God;  and  so  his  works  praise  him,  from  a 
good  understanding  of  the  spirit  and  power  of  the  living 
God.    And  with  the  living  word,  is  the  living  soul  wit- 
nessed, and  the  life  of  Christ  made  manifest  in  the  mor- 
tal body,  and  the  creature  comes  to  have  fellowship  in 
the  life,  and  is  transformed  thereinto,  and  united  in  one^  . 
^nd  this  is  the  word  of  reconciliation,  which  unites  God 
and  the  creature  in  spirit;  which  whoever  knows, needs 
not  go  forth  for  wisdom, counsel  or  strength,  against  all 
the  powers  of  darkness,  nor  wiles  of  the  eneniy,  but  by 
diligent  taking  heed  to  the  word  which  is  nigh  in  the 
heart,  from  thence  finds  the  issues  of  life;  spiritual 

36 


(  282  ) 


strength,  and  power  against  the  spiritual  wickedness/ 
which  all  who  run  out  for  help,  lie  under  and  becomf 
servants  of. 


CONCERNING  WOESHIP. 

The  worship  of  the  true  and  living  God  stands  out  of 
man's  will,  and  knowledge,  wisdom  or  prudence,  as  in 
the  natural;  for  God  is  a  spirit,  and  in  spirit  he  is  wor- 
shipped; not  with  men's  hands,  nor  with  bodily  exercise, 
farther  than  by  the  fternal  spirit  the  body  is  exercised; 
nor  doth  it  stand  in  meats  and  drinks,  nor  divers  wash- 
ings, nor  carnal  ordinances  taken  on  by  tradition,  or 
imitation  of  others,*  but  as  every  creature  is  moved  by 
the  spirit  of  the  living  God,  who  is  that  spirit,  who  will 
be  served  with  his  own  alone,  not  with  any  thing  in  man, 
which  is  come  in  since  the  fall|  ^o  the  imaginations, 
thinkings,  and  conceivings  are  shut  out;  all  man's  ways, 
man's  times  and  forms,  national  customs,  man's  decency/ 
and  orders  by  men  devised  and  added,  are  all  shut  out, 
and  condemned  with  that  spirit  in  which  God  alone  is 
worshipped,  and  his  people  taught  his  worship,  and  the 
maftinerof  it;  and  the  times  are  in  his  hand, whose  the 
worship  is. 

So  that  before  any  can  rightly  worship  God,  they  must 
wait  to  know  his  «pirit,  that  leads  to  know  him  and  his 
worship,  and  the  matter,  and  manner/  /or  all  who  do 
the  same  thing  only  as  to  the  outward  performance,  do 
not  worship  God,  because  they  worship  not  in  the  spirit 
and  power  of  God  himself/  $o  that  all  who  would  so 
worship  him  as  to  be  accepted, you  must  know  the  light, 
and  in  it  wait  to  know  what  God  calls  for  at  your  hands : 
for  it  is  not  what  men  appoint  you  to  do,  or  not  to  do, 
that  will  acquit  you  before  the  Lord.  For  this  know, 
that  God  made  man  for  himself,  and  for  his  service,' and 
the  living  God  is  not  as  the  dumb  Idols,  that  people 
should  imagine  a  way  to  serve  him,  as  may  best  suit  with 
the  fashion  and  custom  of  a  nation,  or  a  peoplei  But  he 
that  hath  made  man  hath  given  him  a  life  for  himself, 
to  improve  it  in  his  service;  and  a  light  hath  he  given 
wherewith  to  see  the  movings  of  this  spirit  of  life,  which 


(   283  ) 


cver  moves  after  the  will  of  God,  because  it  is  of  him; 
and  so  where  it  is  awakened,  it  ever  draws  the  creature 
towards  God,  the  mind,  will  and  affections,  and  love  of 
God  is  in  it,  and  who  walks  in  the  light,  sees  this;  but 
the  creature  running  before  this,  or  without  this,  there 
cornel  all  the  dead  works  and  worships.  And  the 
ground  of  all  this,  ariseth  out  of  darkness  and  disobe- 
dience; for  when  the  creature  hath  been  out,  in  the 
world,  and  unrighteous  ways  thereof,  doing  that  which 
is  evil,  then  that  in  the  heart  condemns  for  the  evil,  and 
neglect  of  good ;  then  the  same  mind  runs  to  act  a  wor- 
ship to  get  peace,  when  both  the  evil  and  the  worship 
i  '  ii  in  one  nature.-  and  so  the  prayers  become  abomination, 
'  as  the  other  was,- for  he  that  regards  the  iniquity,  God 
will  not  hear  his  prayers,  nor  accept  his  worship;  that's 
Cain's  sacrifice,  and  Esau's  prayers;  but  either  must 
your  worship  be  performed  in  one  that  never  sinned,  or 
it  cannot  be  accepted  with  the  pure  God. 

S(Uhat  the  way  to  be  well-pleasing  to  the  Father, 
IS  to  wait  in  the  light,  till  you  see  something  of  the  spir- 
it of  life,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  moving  in  you,  and 
then  to  that  join,  in  its  power  to  worship;  and  that  be- 
ing of  God,  he  cannot  forget  himself;  and  that  is  done 
in  the  name  of  Christ,  which  is  done  in  his  light,  and 
power  and  wisdom,  and  strength ;  and  whatever  is  done 
in  his  name,  is  not  denied  of  the  /ather;  and  so  far  as 
any  are  in  him,  so  far  sons,  and  so  far  accepted  in  him, 
vithout  whom  you  can  do  nothing,  nor  be  respected  ^ 
lOr  did  ever  any  worship  in  this  nature,  but  they  found 
acceptance,  and  the  knowledge  thereof;  and  you  who 
know  not  this  to  lead  and  guide  you  in  your  worships, 
are  worshipping  you  know  not  what,  nor  with  what; 
and  though  you  say,  that  God  works  all  your  works  in 
.  you,  and  that  it^s  his  work  and  worship  you  are  about, 
yet  when  it  comes  upon  trial,  he  will  not  own  it  for  his, 
which  the  worker  of  iniquity  hath  wrought.  For  the 
evil  worker  hath  not  only  his  hand  in  the  deceitful  works 
of  the  unrighteous  mammon,  but  in  the  deceitful  works 
of  worship  too.  For  did  he  not  deceive  in  worship,  to 
hide  his  wickedness^  with  pretence  of  godliness,  and 
long  prayers,  he  could  not  keep  people  in  any  peace  in 


his  wicked  ways.  So  they  who  join  to  him  herein,  re- 
ceive the  greater  condemnation:  for  the  false  worship- 
pers were  always  greatest  enemies  to  Christ,  and  so  to 
their  own  souls;  and  woe  to  him  that  hideth  his  sin 
thus.  ;  A 

So  all  who  desire  to  worship  in  truth,  you  must  know 
the  ^ruth,  even  the  spirit  of  truth,  to  lead  into  all  truth; 
which  ^Spirit  of  truth  takes  of  Christ,  and  testifies  of 
his  life,  and  power,  in  the  creature  worshipping,  who 
believes  in  the  lightf  and  such  know  they  are  in  him, 
and  he  in  them,  who  is  true,  in  whom  they  worship  the 
father  of  the  truth,  and  so  God  is  served  with  his  own; 
and  no  farther  than  this  is  known,  can  any  worship  God 
in  spirit,  which  the  light  doth  manifest.  So  you  having 
received  a  light  from  Christ,  in  that  wait,  till  therein  you 
find  thevspirit's  leading,  acting  and  ordering;  and  here 
the  least  in  the  light,  is  in  God's  service,  when  on  him 
you  are  waiting  in  spirit;  and  such  as  abide  in  the  light, 
waiting  upon  God|  in  the  light,  are  kept  from  serving  the 
prince  of  darkness,- and  having  your  loins  girt,  and  your 
light  burning,  you  are  always  ready  to  know  the  voice, 
<  and  answer  it  with  obediencef  <ind  then  you  serve  God, 
and  not  men,  when  you  have  a  command  from  the  living 
God,  not  taken  by  tradition  from  men ;  for  in  vain  do  all 
worship,  whose  fear  and  service  towards  God  is  taught 
by  the  precepts  of  men;  for  all  the  children  of  the  Lord, 
are  taught  of  the  Lord;  and  they  are  the  sons  of  God, 
who  are  led  by  the  spirit  of  God.  And  such  hearken 
to  the  Lord  and  know  his  voice ;  and  what  they  see 
and  hear,  that  they  do,  and  do  not  offer  the  sacrifice  of 
fools. 

But  do  not  you  offer  the  sacrifice  of  fools,  who  have 
been  worshipping  all  your  time,  and  yet  have  his  worship 
to  learn?  And  are  but  still  asking,  if  this  be  the 
right  worship,  and  have  it  yet  to  dispute  ?-(if  not  confi- 
dent in  a  false  way,  which  is  much  vvorse)-|Lnd  such  are 
you  who  are  fighting  and  contending  for  such  a  manner 
of  worship  as  Christ  never  ordained,  nor  his  own  never 
practised;  as  you  may  see  if  you  compare  your  national 
worship  with  the  saints  practice;  which  is  changed  in 
every  particular,  and  that  by  men  and  councils,  under 


(  285  ) 


pretence  of  decency  and  contbrnfiity,  or  something  that 
stands  in  mens  will,  which  God  never  commanded.  But 
you  may  long  worship  here,  and  call  it  God's  worship, 
e're  he  own  it  by  answering  youf  /et  was  Nebuchad- 
nezzar never  more  zealous  for  his  image,  than  you  are 
tor  this,  if  you  had  but  his  power;  yea,  them  who  have 
found  the  everlasting  way  of  Christ,  and  an  answer  from 
God  in  it,  such  would  you  force  to  bow  to  your  imagi- 
nations, where  you  know  not  God  nor  his  presence  with 
you  therein;  nor  can  you  ever  find  God  in  that  way 
which  is  not  hisown||oris  that  his  own,  which  genera- 
tions of  men  and  councils/ have  altered,  and  added  to, 
and  changed  from  time  to  time,  as  may  most  suit  their 
customs  and  countries;  so  that  each  nation  hath  itsdif- 
erent  manner  of  worship,  but  all  out  of  the  council  of 
God,  agreed  on  by  the  councils  of  men. 

And  all  you  who  are  gone  out  in  any  thing  from 
Christ  the  true  pattern  and  example,  you  are  gone  into 
the  imaginations  of  men,  and  so  are  become  servants  of 
men,  and  not  of  God,  herein.    For  God  is  pure,  and  so 
is  his  vi'ay  and  worship,  and  without  his  commandxan- 
not  be  changed  in  the  least  jot,  but  by  him  is  denied, 
and  is  become  will-worship,  and  not  God's  worshipi  For 
It  is  not  the  name  that  makes  it  God's  worship,  for  all 
pretend  to  worship  God ;  but  it  is  the  nature  of  it,  which 
must  be  in  the  ^spirit  and  will  of  God,  contrary  to  the 
will  of  men,  and  their  wisdom;  wherein  men  in  all  ages 
have  performed  the  idolatrous  worship,  and  set  up  like- 
nesses instead  of  true  worship,  though  ^being  heart- 
blind  did  not  know  it,  but  ever  looked  upon  all  to  be  out 
of  the  way,  but  themselves.    And  this  is  your  work, 
who  at  this  day  set  tip  an  imitation  from  the  letter  of 
what  other  men  have  done,  but  have  not  received  your 
command  and  power  in  spirit  from  the  Lord,'' and  to  you 
it  will  be  said.  Who  hath  required  these  things  at  your 
hands?    For  all  the  saints  have  their  commands  in 
spirit,  and  all  that  know  the  command  in  spirit,  know  it 
IS  life  eternal,  and  gives  life  to  fulfil  the  command,  and 
so  the  worship  is  spiritual;  and  the  heart,  and  the  mind 
and  soul  is  united  in  it;  and  so  being  in  one  there  is  no 
idolatry,  nor  likeness,  but  in  one  is  the  command,  pow- 


C  286  ) 


er,  life,  will,  way,  and  worship!  )4ut  all  you  who  have 
taken  on  the  saints  practice  to  perform  the  like,  but  not 
called,  commanded  and  furnished  in  spirit,  you  want 
power,  and  life,  and  so  even  in  the  time  of  your  wor- 
ship your  hearts  are  going  out  after  carnal  things,  and 
there  is  the  spiritual  idolatry^  For  whatever  your  minds 
are  in,  that  is  your  God  you  worship,  and  the  pure  God 
owns  no  such ;  for  hh  truth  in  the  inward  parts  he  seeks 
for,  wherein  none  of  you  can  worship  who  know  not  the 
living  word  in  your  hearts,  to  keep  tbem  up  to  God  in 
vour  worshipf  ^hat  worship  is  not  in  the  will  of  God. 


COPfCEHNING,  ERROR,  HEKESIY,  &.C. 

It  is  not  error  to  forsake  the  opinions  of  any  natural 
man  whatsoever,  nor  to  withdraw  from  the  church  of 
Rome,  as  they  call  it,  nor  from  any  who  have  reformed 
some  things  since  the  time  of  popery,  but  yet  are  not 
come  to  the  true  foundation  of  the  apostles,  though  they 
call  themselves  national  churches,  or  gathered  churches- 
whatsoever.  But  the  error  is  to  err  from  the  spirit  of  God 
and  his  teachings,  and  that  church  which  by  his 
teaching  alone  is  gathered  into  God,  out  of  all  the  ways, 
worships,  sects,  and  opinions  of  the  world,  convocations 
and  councils,  that  are  not  in  God.  And  the  church  so 
gathered  into  God,  is  the  pillar  and  ground  or  stay  of 
truth,  where  the  ^spirit  alone  is  teacher;  and  all  that 
are  gone  out  from  this  church,  and  teaching,  are  in  error; 
where  all  the  sects,  and  opinions,  and  false  ways  and 
worships  are,  and  their  teachers,  who  have  erred/ 
from  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  the  saints  teacher  and 
their  practice;  and  are  gone  after  their  pride,  and  cov- 
etousness,and  filthy  lucre?  Here  liei  the  world's  teach- 
ers, though  they  do  not  know  from  whence  they  are  err- 
ed, because  tiiey  never  yet  came  in  the  right  way:  nay, 
who  never  yet  came  so  far  as  Balaam,  who  had  the  word 
of  the  Lord  from  his  own  mouth,  and  knew  it,  and  yet 
his  heart  erred  after  gifts  and  honour.  So  these  preach 
against  Balaam,  but  cannot  see  themselves  in  the  same 
error,  ever  since  they  were  promoted  to  honour,  and  gifts, 
and  masterships,  and  great  livings,  by  the  pope,  who 


(   287  ) 


eceived  his  power  from  the  beast,  and  gave  of  it  to  all 
his  adherents,  to  call  such  as  dwell  on  the  earth  to  wor- 
ship them  j  \^ui  such  whose  names  are  written  in  the 
book  of  life,  who  have  suffered  to  this  day,  and  do  suf- 
fer, because  they  cannot  bow  to  that  power,  nor  worship 
it,  nor  according  to  its  likeness  j  under  pretence  of 
heresy  and  error  do  these  always  suffer,  by  such  who 
are  erred,  and  with  the  spirit  of  error  do  judge,  which 
spirit  hath  shed  all  the  innocent  blood  since  Abel  to  this 
day,  though  the  error  was  ever  in  the  persecutor. 

So  that  there  is  no  error  but  in  going  from  the  spirit 
of  Christ  and  his  teachings,' and  all  who  are  gone  from 
that,  are  gone  into  error,  whatever  they  pretend.  And 
that  which  leads  from  that  spirit  is  the  mother  of  confu- 
sion, and  vain  janglings,  and  contention,  disputing  about 
the  things  of  God,  but  gone  out  into  the  world,  where 
all  the  deceived  ones  are,  antichrists  and  seducing  spi- 
rits which  deceive  the  nations  with  enchantments  and 
witcheries,  which  none  can  see,  till  to  the  light  of  Christ, 
and  his  spirit  they  return,  which  only  leads  out  of  all 
errors,  as  it  is  believed  and  followed.  For  no  spirit 
can  lead  out  of  error,  but  that  spirit  which  never  erred  ; 
and  whoever  is  led  out  by  any  other,  is  erred  already, 
though  unknown^  to  them  who  are  so  deceived.  For 
error  could  never  truly  judge  of  error,  nor  darkness  of 
light,  though  it  will  be  doing,  to  shew  enmity. 

So  error  cries.  Take  heed  of  being  deceived,  which 
is  deceived  already ;  but  the  spirit  of  light  searcheth  out 
that  deceit>But  who  walks  not  in  the  spirit  and  light 
of  Christ  is  blind,  and  knows  not  by  what  he  is  led,  noi 
whither,  and  stumbles  at  the  light  which  should  judge 
his  blindness,  and  become  his  leader  >  $nd  such  an  one, 
though  he  be  in  error,  yet  knows  not  whence  he  is  fallen, 
who  never  knew  the  right  way ;  as  many  at  this  day,  who 
are  talking  of  blindness,  but  themselves  in  the  pit,  and 
must  be,  till  they  own  the  light  to  lead  them  out  of  it; 
which  never  erred,  which  is  of  God,  even  as  they  who 
receive^  it  are  of  God  N  And  they  that  were  of  God, 
knew  that  all  that  would  not  hear  them  had  the 
spirit  of  error;  and  therebv  thev  knew  it,  and  the  spirit 
of  truth. 


(   288  ) 


And  whatever  that  be  which  leads  out  into  the  world's 
conformity,  and  pleads  for  it,  or  any  thing  that  is  come 
in  by  the  fall,  that  is  the  spirit  of  errorK  Bui  that  spirit 
which  testifies  against  all  that  is  in  the  fall,  and  convin- 
ceth  of  it,  and  leads  out  of  it,  that  is  the.spirit  of  truth, 
and  comes  to  testify  of  the  Redeemer  Christ  Jesus, 
who  is  to  set  us  free  from  jit;  which  all  that  live  in,  live 
in  error. 

So  all  who  desire  to  know  the  spirit  of  error,  you  must 
turn  to  the  spirit  of  light,  from  whence  you  have  erred| 
for  no  other  thing  shews  the  error,but  that  which  reproves 
the  fruit  of  error|  that  which  reproves  for  sin,  is  that 
from  which  man  has  erred,  tlie  faithful  and  true  witness, 
which  is  the  beginning  of  the  creation  of  God,  to  which 
all  must  give  an  account,  and  which  alone  is  appointed 
for  a  light,  and  leader  of  the  people  that  sit  in  darkness, 
to  shew  the  darkness  and  the  way  out  of  it^  So  to  that 
which  was  in  the  beginning  all  must  come,  that  with  the 
light,  from  which  man  hath  erred,  you  may  know  the 
ways  of  error,  and  the  way  of  truth. 


CONCERNING  FAITH. 

He  that  has  living  faith,  which  is  in  Christ  lives  by  it; 
and  the  life  that  he  lives  is  above  all  the  world,  and  the 
powers  of  darkness ;  and  the  least  measure  of  that  faith  is 
perfect,  and  hath  present  power  against  all  the  assaults 
of  satan,  if  in  it  the  creature  abide  faithful,  and  run  not  to 
other  helps,  and  so  lay  himself  open  to  distrust;  for  it  is 
the  gift  of  God,  whereof  whosoever  receives  a  measure 
he  hath  a  measure  of  the  son,  above  which  the  father 
will  not  suffer  any  temptation;  for  the  true  faith  lays 
hold  upon  God's  righteousness,  against  which  no  un- 
righteousness can  prevail;  which  righteousness  is  re- 
ceived by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus;  wherein  the  creature  so 
believing  stands  armed  against  all  the  fiery  darts  and 
temptations  of  the  devil,  with  God's  righteousness,  seen 
in  the  light,  and  wrought  in  the  spirit,  whereby  the 
creature  becomes  God's  workmanship,  created  in  Christ 
.Jesus  unto  good  works,  by  which  he  becomes  free  from 
the  evil;  dead  to  sin,  but  alive  to  God's  righteousness- 


(  289  ) 


waiting  in  faith,  to  see  it  revealed  through  obedience 
thereto,  from  faith  to  faith ;  as  it  is  written,  the  just  shall 
live  by  faith;  and  this  is  living  faith,  which  purifieth  the 
heart,  unto  the  life  of  godliness,  and  so  reveals  the 
righteousness  of  faith  for  an  inheritance,  everlasting 
righteousness,  ever  growing  and  springing,  whereby  the 
creature  grows  into  the  knowledge  of  God,  with  him  to 
walk  by  faith,  out  of  the  knowledge  of  all  the  world, 
translated  out  of  the  pleasures  and  kingdoms  of  it,  into 
the  kingdom  of  the  son  of  God,  where  the  reproach  of 
Christ  is  esteemed  great  riches;  laying  hold  upon  the 
invisible,  which  the  world's  faith, cannot  reach,  which 
carries  them  no  higher  than  visible  reasonings  and  con- 
sulting with  sensual  wisdom,  and  carnal  helps,  and  so 
brings  nothing  to  perfection,  because  it  sees  nothing  that 
is  perfect;  but  the  living  faith  sees  him  that  is  invisible, 
and  lays  hold  on  the  measure  of  God  made  manifest  iri 
spirit,  which  measure  of  the  spirit  is  that  which  in  the 
faith  works  out  the  old,  and  works  the  new,  both  will 
and  deed,  whose  work  is  perfect,  to  kill,  and  to  make 
alive. 

But  the  world's  faith  is  not  of  this  nature  and  power, 
who  hear  a  thing  with  the  outward  ear,  and  so  set  them- 
selves to  believe,  or  not  to  believe  it,  in  their  wills  or  out- 
ward persuasions, from  others,  or  in  their  own  imagina- 
tions; and  as  their  imaginations,  thoughts,  and  conceiv- 
ingtchange,  so  their  faith  changes  also:  and  so  it  cannot 
be  steadfast,  because  it  stands  not  in  the  measure  of 
God  known  in  the  heart,  which  changes  not;  and  this 
faith  serves  not  God,  nor  can  it  please  him,  nor  doth  it 
see  him  that's  invisible.  And  so  not  standing  in  that 
which  is  contrary  to  the  will  of  man,  and  power  of  sin, 
it  lies  under  the  wills  of  men,  and  power  of  the  prince 
of  this  world ;  and  as  the  world  and  time  changes,  s(f 
doth  that  faith,  but  can  never  lead  out  of  the  world,  and 
all  time,  np  to  the  redeemer  of  the  soul. 

And  to  all  who  are  in  that  nature,  the  living  faith 
that  stands  in  that  which  is  of  God  in  a  pure  conscience 
is  a  mystery,  not  known  nor  received,  and  so  cannot  be 
improved,  which  is  the  true  faith,  which  is  the  gift  of 
God,  which  none  can  receive  but  in  spirit.    So  the  faith 

37 


(  290  ) 


cf  Christ,  and  the  faith  of  the  world,  are  two,  and  have 
their  several  effects,  and  fruits;  the  one  professeth  free- 
dom and  redemption  in  the  imaginations  and  compre- 

nsions,  but  is  a  servant  of  sin ;  and  the  other  hath  tiie 
living  faith  which  gives  the  life  of  freedom,  and  so  as  is 
their  ground  and  root,  so  is  their  fruits  and  effects;  and 
the  one  of  these  is  against  the  other. 

For  that  faith  which  stands  in  Christ,  believes  in  pu- 
rity and  in  perfection,  and  holiness,  and  stays  sin,  and 
by  that  faith  alone  the  just  live,  and  justice  and  right- 
eousness is  brought  fortli  to  light  in  the  godly  conversa- 
tion; but  the  faith  which  stands  in  the  imaginations  and 
wisdom  of  man,  which  believes  salvation  without  holi- 
ness of  life,  that  stays  the  just,  and  keeps  alive  the  un- 
just; and  this  faith  they  had,  which  believed  the  scrip- 
tures, and  the  words  of  the  prophets,  and  that  God  was 
their  father ;  but  not  having  the  word  of  faith  in  their 
hearts,  these  s|ew  the  son  of  God,  and  set  the  murderer 
free:  and  as  that  faith,  which  is  dead,  works  death,  so 
that  faith  which  is  living  worketh  life.  And  a  profes- 
sion of  faitli  without  righteousness,  is  like  a  body  with- 
out life;  and  like  as  a  living  man  is  known  by  his  actions, 
so  is  the  living  faith  by  its  fruits.  And  as  the  man  can- 
not live  without  action,  no  more  can  faith  in  Christ  with- 
out righteousness;  these  are  unseparable,  therefore  it  is 
called  the  righteousness  of  faith;  where  the  heart  be- 
lieves unto  righteousness, there  the  mouth  confesseth  to 
salvation,  without  hypocrisy  or  self  righteousness. 

And  so  God's  righteousness  is  received  in  the  heart  by 
faith,  and  by  obedience  thereto  brought  forth  into  the 
world,  a  witness  against  all  the  unrighteousness  of  the 
world;  and  so  the  righteousness  of  God  is  preached 
through  faith,  in  all  whose  faith  stands  in  Christ  Jesus: 
but  that  is  a  dead  faith  which  brings  not  forth  the  life  of 
Christ  into  the  world,  and  that's  the  reprobate  faith 
which  is  to  the  good  work  reprobate;  and  he  that  errs 
from  the  righteousness,  errs  from  the  faith  also  which  is 
held  in  a  pure  conscience;  and  he  that  makes  a  ship- 
wreck of  a  good  conscience,  and  puts  that  away,  makes 
shipwreck  of  faith  also. 


(   291  ) 


And  in  the  eternal  light  is  all  your  faith  seen  and 
judged  to  be  without  Christ,  and  without  foundation,  who 
are  out  of  the  light  and  out  of  the  life.  And  your  faiih 
is  seen  to  be  the  same  with  the  scribes  and  pharisees, 
who  believed  the  scriptures,  and  thought  to  find  life 
therein,  but  did  not  believe  in  the  light,  and  so  would  not 
come  to  Christ,  that  they  might  have  life.  So  all  your 
faith,  which  is  out  of  the  light,  which  from  the  letter 
you  have  formed,  is  a  faith  set  up  in  your  own  wills,  and 
not  that  which  is  given  of  God;  for  that  faith  that  is  the 
gift  of  God,  believes  in  the  light,  and  follows  it,  and  so 
leads  to  the  life;  and  this  faith  that  stands  in  the  light 
and  life,  is  the  living  faith,  and  never  without  works, 
which  works  are  love,  meekness,  patience,  mortification, 
sanctification,  justification,  &c.  The  works  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus,  in  which  God's  workmanship  is  seen  in  the 
new  creation,  received  in  the  faith,  and  in  the  obedience, 
to  which  the  soul  is  purified,  and  victory  witnessed  over 
the  world,  sin  and  death,  but  you  who  believe  not  in  the 
light,  are  enemies  to  this  faith,  and  yet  you  get  the  words 
of  the  scripture,  given  forth  from  the  light,  and  so  your 
faith  stands  in  the  wisdom  of  words,  into  which  you 
have  been  searching  with  your  wisdom,  but  not  in  the 
power  of  God  and  his  work :  so  you  are  they  who  say 
and  do  not,  whose  practice  could  never  suit  your  profes- 
sion. 


COXCERXING  HOPE, 

Hope  is  a  gift  of  God,  and  is  pure,  and  stands  in  that 
which  is  pure,  shewing  the  purity  of  God,  and  his  right- 
eousness in  Christ  Jesus,  the  beholding  whereof  stays 
the  soul  from  joining  to  the  wicked  one,  when  he  tempt- 
eth,  because  he  sees  in  the  light  a  better  work  to  serve; 
so  that  until  the  time  of  that  work  being  fully  manifest, 
the  hope  is  as  an  anchor  to  stay  from  following  the  un- 
clean one,  and  so  keeps  out  of  the  sin,  and  so  makes  not 


(  292  ; 


ashamed,  even  then  in  the  time  of  want  it  hopes  against 
hope.  When  that  life  of  Christ  is  not  yet  seen  in  its 
full  power,  yet  it  is  evidenced  in  the  hope,  which  is 
wrought  m  the  patience  and  experience,  whereby  the 
love  appears  and  the  faith  works,  whereby  God's  right- 
eousness is  revealed,  and  the  son  is  seen,  who  is  tlie  re- 
deemer; and  he  that  hath  this  hope  in  him,  purifies  him- 
self even  as  he  is  pure.  And  this  is  that  hope  that  en- 
ters within  the  vail,  into  tlie  holy  place,  where  the  life 
and  immorrality  is  brought  to  liglit,  which  the  mortal 
eye  nor  carnal  senses  cannot  approach  to.  And  this  is 
the  living  hope,  which  hopes  to  the  end, that  Christ  and 
his  righteousness  may  be  revealed,  to  take  away  sin, 
and  to  save  from  it,  and  out  of  it;  and  in  hope  of  this, 
the  children  and  babes  of  Christ  wait  in  the  obedience 
of  the  spirit,  not  fashioning  themselves  alter  the  lusts  oi 
ignorance ;  but  as  he  who  hath  called  to  that  hope  is 
holy,  so  in  his  holiness  is  their  conversation  who  are  in 
his  hope. 

But  the  devil  hath  begotten  another  hope  in  his  ser- 
vants v'/ho  believe  him,  and  are  acted  by  his  spirit, 
which  stands  in  another  ground,  and  brings  forth  anoth- 
er fruit,  and  that  is,  that  though  they  be  servants  to  sin 
(for  that  must  be  concluded  in  all  his  covenants  and  gra- 
ces) yet  there  is  hopes  of  salvation;  and  such  hopes  as 
may  not  be  judged  false  nor  questioned,  although  the 
witness  of  God  in  the  conscience  doth  testify  to  the  con- 
trary, yet  it  must  not  be  heeded,  lest  they  be  deluded. 
So  that  where  the  devil  is  become  teacher,  a  tender 
conscience  is  to  be  resisted,  as  the  greatest  error  and 
foolery  in  the  world:  and  that,  to  wait  for  the  testimony 
or  witness  within,  is  to  deny  Christ  at  Jerusalem,  and 
the  greatest  blasphemy  that  can  be  spoken  of;  and  to 
wait  for  that  mystery  that  hath  been  hid  from  ages,  (to 
wit,)  Christ  withm  the  hope  of  glory,  is  to  deny  the  per- 
son of  Christ,  and  his  blood  and  sufferings.  And  many 
such  imaginations  hath  satan  begot  in  people's  brains, 
to  scare  them  from  minding  the  light  of  Christ  within, 
that  so  he  may  keep  the  heart  in  darkness,  and  his  seat 
there  undiscovered. 


(   293  ) 

rio  he  sets  them  to  look  for  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
without  them,  and  a  spirit  without,  and  a  light  without, 
and  a  work  without,  and  righteousness  without,  and  in 
that  to  hope;  while  he  dwells  in  the  heart,  and  there  in 
darkness  upholds  his  kingdom  of  sin,  and  seat  of  un- 
righteousness ail  their  life,  and  feeds  them  with  a  hope 
after  they  are  dead,  by  a  profession  without  power,  and 
life  and  spirit,  and  truth  in  them,  to  order  them  and  their 
conversation  aright,  towards  God  and  man  in  their  gen- 
erations. And  this  is  the  hope  of  the  hypocrite,  that 
must  perish  in  the  end,  and  come  short  of  salvation, 
whose  hope  is  not  in  God,  nor  gives  a  being  in  righteous- 
ness ;  but  he  hath  a  hope,  and  lives  in  the  world  without 
God  and  his  hope.  And  this  not  the  hope  of  Christ, 
which  lives  in  sin  and  hopes  for  salvation  ;  but  this  is  his 
hope  in  Christ  that  hopes  for  freedom  and  perfection, 
which  never  comes  short  of  its  end,  in  all  that  wait  in 
it.  And  this  hope  only  is  it  that  maketh  not  ashamed; 
but  you  may  be  ashamed  of  your  hope,  who  are  found  in 
'  your  sins,  and  encouraging  yourselves  therein,  that  you 
shall  not  die. 

That's  the  devils  hope,  which  hopes  not  freedom  from 
sin,  as  much  as  freedom  from  hell*  And  with  this  hope 
would  he  make  God  a  liar,  and  partial  like  himself,  that 
he  should  tind  some  in  sin,  and  save  them,  and  others  in 
sin  and  condemn  them.  But  who  knows  Christ,  and 
hopes  in  him,  hopes  in  righteousness;  and  therein  to 
stand  in  the  day  of  judgment;  and  therein  to  live  in 
this  evil  world  above  it,  and  all  the  unrighteousness  of 
it:  and  the  end  of  the  lively  hope,  is  no  less  than  God's 
righteousness  to  attain,  and  live  in,  as  it  is  received  ;  and 
only  such  can  give  a  reason  of  that  hope  that  is  in  them, 
who  sanctify  the  Lord  God  in  their  hearts,  and  have  a 
good  conscience,  and  suffer  for  welldoing;  which  un- 
reasonable men,  who  live  in  the  unreasonable  nature, 
cannot  do,  whose  hope  is  not  an  helmet  of  salvation 
against  sin,  yet  would  have  it  for  salvation  against  hell. 
And  this  is  the  unreasonable  hope  in  unreasonable  men, 
for  which  they  can  give  no  reason,  but  in  their  own  wills 
and  imaginations:  for  is  there  any  reason  why  you 
should  hope  to  be  saved  by  Christ,  who  will  be  the  devil's 


(   294  ) 


servants,  to  yield  your  members  servants  to,  and  delight 
in  his  wickedness  while  you  live,  and  yet  be  saved  by 
Christ's  righteousness  when  you  die?  Th's  is  a  hope 
that  serves  you  to  talk  on,  to  feed  yourselves  in  your 
vanity;  but  will  be  in  the  end  like  the  giving  up  of  the 
ghost.  But  who  is  begotten  in  the  lively  hope,  are  be- 
gotten into  an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled, 
whereunto  they  are  kept  by  the  power,  in  hope  through 
faith,  unto  salvation  from  sin,  the  thing  that  he  that's 
begotten  of  God  longs  and  hopes  for;  which  hope  shall 
not  fail. 


CONCERNING  LOVE. 

The  love  of  God  is  but  one,  and  in  one,  nor  can  any 
receive  it,  but  who  receive  that  one,  the  son  of  God: 
And  this  cannot  stand  with  self,or  any  changeable  thing ; 
for  God  is  that  love,  and  none  can  dwell  in  it,  but  as  he 
dwells  in  God:  so  it's  pure  and  perfect.  As  the  crea- 
ture comes  to  live  in  God,  as  he  is,  into  his  image  and 
likeness;  so  with  the  pure  light  his  love  is  seen,  and 
shed  abroad  in  the  heart,  whereby  the  power  of  faith 
worketh,  to  the  overcoming  all  that  is  contrary  to  God. 
So  the  love  of  God  abounds,  and  who  dwells  in  it  work- 
eth no  ill;  but  the  work  of  love  fulfils  the  law  of  God, 
which  is  upon  all  that's  gone  out  from  him,  info  the 
world  and  self  ends,  which  hath  been  received  in  the 
love  of  carnal  things,  and  so  are  gone  into  the  enmity 
against  God,  setting  the  affection  on  changeable  things; 
for  whosoever  will  be  a  friend  to  the  world,  is  the  enemy 
of  God ;  for  the  world's  love  arises  from  the  spirit  of  the 
world;  but  the  love  of  God  is  a  fruit  of  God's  spirit, 
and  none  hath  the  love  of  God,  but  who  hath  that 
spirit  from  which  it  springs,  which  is  eternal,  unchange- 
able and  above  all  carnal  things,  nor  can  time  or  carnal 
things  quench  it,  for  it  endures  forever.  And  herein  it 
differs  from  all  the  world's  love;  nor  can  any  one  have 
this  love,  but  from  the  fountain  of  love;  even  the  mani- 


(   295  J 


testation  of  God's  love  shed  in  the  heart,  wherewith  he 
first  Joved  the  creature.  And  this  being  known  and 
seen  in  the  liglit,  from  thence  is  the  spring  of  love, 
which  runs  out  to  the  whole  creation  of  God,  and 
for  the  same  end;  for  as  the  love  is  one, so  the  end  is 
but  one. 

Now  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  son  into 
the  world,  a  light  to  condemn  sin  in  the  flesh,  that  the 
righteousness  of  God  might  be  fulfilled  in  the  creature, 
in  walking  after  the  spirit,  and  denying  the  works  of 
the  flesh.  And  this  is  the  love  of  God  to  sinners,  to 
condemn  sin,  and  take  it  away  by  the  light  and  life  of 
Christ;  and  to  all  that  love  with  this  love,  this  is  the 
end  of  it:  but  with  this  love  is  all  your  love  condemned, 
•  whose  love  stands  in  fashions  and  customs,  feastings 
and  riotings,  sports  and  vain  pleasures,  or  any  thing 
in  the  flesh  that's  in  the  fall ;  and  in  flattering  one  ano- 
ther in  your  evil  ways,  or  in  respect  of  persons,  or  any 
other  thing  that  hath  an  end,  for  the  love  of  God  is 
without  end,  in  love  to  the  soul  and  body,  as  God  hath 
made  it,  but  in  hatred  to  all  that  is  come  in  since,  which 
hath  defiled  it. 

So  that  this  love  of  God  consists  of  reproofs,  judg- 
ment and  condemnation  against  all  that  defiles  the  cre- 
ation, and  against  the  creature  who  yields  to  that  pol- 
lution ;  and  this  is  pure  love  to  the  soul,  that  deals  faith- 
fully therewith, in  declaring  its  condition;  and  that  was 
the  great  love  Christ  shewed  the  Jews,  when  he  told 
them  they  were  hypocrites,  blind  guides,  liars,  and  said, 
wo  unto  ye,  ye  serpents,  ye  generation  of  vipers,  how 
can  ye  escape  the  damnation  of  hell?  And  many  such 
plain  true  words  he  spoke  in  love  to  them.  And  that 
was  the  love  of  God  in  Paul,  which  said  to  Elymas,  O 
full  of  all  subtility,  and  all  mischief,  thou  child  of  the 
devil,  thou  enemy  of  all  righteousness,  wilt  thou  not 
cease  to  pervert  the  right  ways  of  the  Lord?  For  all 
the  love  that  can  be  shewed  to  any  creature  is  to  deal 
faithfully  and  truly  with  them,  as  they  are  seen  in  the 
light;  and  he  who  doth  not  so,  loves  neither  God  nor 
them  (as  will  be  found  in  the  day  of  judgment)  and  so 
are  out  of  God's  love,  and  imagining  a  love  which  is  oi 


(   296  ) 


another  nature,  and  with  this  love,  you  who  are  out  oi 
the  love  of  God,  flatter  one  another  in  your  evil  ways 
and  changeable  opinions;  which  love  is  grounded  in 
carn  il  things,  and  stands  in  your  own  wills.  And  there- 
with, when  you  will  you  love,  and  when  you  will  you 
hate ;  hut  neither  know  love,  as  it  is  in  God,  nor  hatred, 
whose  love  and  hatred  stands  in  changeable  things;  so 
your  love  and  hatred  perish,  which  stand  not  in  God. 
But  who  knows  the  love  of  God,  tramples  upon  all  your 
love  and  hatred,  and  sees  an  end  thereof.  And  such  see 
your  blindness,  who  say,  you  would  have  all  won  by 
love,  but  know  not  whereof  you  affirm;  whose  ways 
are  not  God's  ways,  nor  your  thoughts  his:  for,  saith  he, 
I  will  redeem  Zion  with  judgment,  and  with  the  spirit 
of  judgment  and  burning  will  I  wash  away  the  filth 
thereof:  but  you  who  are  in  your  filth  would  have  ail 
flattered  therein. 

So  that  love  is  seen  to  be  filthy  which  spares  filthi- 
ness,  which  defiles  the  temple  of  God;  but  that  is  pure, 
which  purges  away  the  filth,  and  condemns  the  unclean, 
and  all  that  love  it ;  for  the  love  of  the  devil  may  be  won 
with  serving  of  him,  and  flattering  him  in  his  ways,  in 
them  in  whom  he  is;  but  what  is  it  worth?    So  may 
one  have  the  love  of  all  the  world,  and  their  friendship, 
but  woe  unto  that  friendship  which  is  got  by  sparing 
God's  enemies,  that  is  enmity  against  God,  therefore, 
saith  God,  let  love  be  without  dissimulation ;  abhor  that 
which  is  evil,  cleave  to  that  which  is  good;  and  that 
love  is  it,  which  uncovers  sin,  which  condemns  sin  unto 
death,  and  covers  it  with   righteousness;  otherwise, 
(saith  the  scriptures)  he  that  covers  sin  shall  not  pros- 
per.   And  saith  James,  Jam.  5,  20,  He  which  conver- 
teth  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way,  shall  save  a 
soul,  and  shall  hide  a  multitude  of  sins.    And  saith 
Solomon,  open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret  love:  such 
wounds  are  precious  to  them  that  know  what  love  is; 
but  he  that  spares  mens  wickedness,  hates  God's  right- 
eousness.   And  so  with  the  light  is  seen  God's  love,  and 
thedeviPs  love;  and  each  loves  his  own  works,  and  so 
do  their  children  in  whom  they  reign;  for  whoever  loves 


(   297  ) 

the  one,  hates  the  other;  and  he  that  serves  the  one, 
hates  the  other;  and  so  the  servant  pleads  for  his  mas- 
ter, whom  he  loves. 


CONCERNING  JXmGMENT. 

True  judgment  (as  it  is  known  to  men"^  is  a  gift  from 
(he  spirit  of  God,  set  in  the  heart  of  every  one  who 
dwells  in  the  light  of  Christ;  which  judgment  passeth 
upon  all  that's  in  the  creature,  contrar}  to  the  life  of 
God:  and  so  as  it  is  received,  springs  up  with  light  and 
salvation,  to  the  redeeming  of  the  heart  from  all  unclean- 
ness,  condemning  all  that  which  is  contrary  to  purity, 
that  God  may  be  seen  in  his  dwelling-place  with  his 
righteousness.  And  so  he  is  said  to  redeem  Zion  with 
judgment,  and  her  converts  with  righteousness;  and  to 
purge  away  the  filth  of  the  daughter  of  Zion,  with  the 
spirit  of  judgment  and  the  spirit  of  burning.  And  if 
there  be  a  dwelling  in  the  light,  this  judgment  ceases 
not,  till  the  throne  of  Christ  be  established  in  the  heaipt 
in  peace;  for  this  is  his  judgment, and  is  upon  all  that 
stands  up  against  his  kingdom.  And  this  is  the  cause 
why  the  enemies  of  righteousness  love  it  not,  but  have 
turned  it  to  gall  and  wormwood;  which  the  righteous 
delight  in  and  love,  who  are  redeemed  and  saved  there- 
with, and  know  it  to  be  the  promise  first  to  be  received^ 
for,  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  make  judgment  to  rest  for  a 
light  of  the  people;  which  being  received,  his  righteous^ 
ness  is  near  to  be  revealed. 

Therefore  his  judgment  must  pass  before,  upon  all 
that's  unrighteous,  and  none  can  have  his  righteousness, 
but  who  receive  his  judgment.  Therefore,  saith  the 
Lord,  I  have  hewed  them  by  the  prophets,  I  have  slain 
them  by  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  my  judgments  are 
as  a  light  that  goeth  forth.  And  for  this  end  is  judg- 
ment given  to  the  saints  of  the  most  high.  And,  saiih 
the  Lord,  the  righteous  man  shall  judge  them  after  the 

38 


(  298  ) 

manner  of  adultresses,  and  after  the  manner  of  women 
that  shed  blood,  because  they  are  adultresses,  and  blood 
is  in  their  hands;  thus  will  I  cause  the  lewdness  to  cease 
out  of  the  land.  Therefore  is  Ezekiel  so  often  com- 
manded to  judge  them,  and  cause  them  to  know  their 
abominations.  And  Jeremiah  was  full  of  the  fury  of 
the  Lord,  and  he  was  weary  with  holding  it  in.  And 
Micah  was  full  of  power,  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  and 
of  judgment,  to  declare  to  Jacob  his  transgression,  and 
to  Israel  his  sin.  And  so  in  all  ages  he  placed  his 
judgments  in  his  servants,  who  are  to  judge  the  heathen, 
and  such  as  know  not  God,  therewith ;  and  so  many  as 
did  believe  it,  and  receive  it,  did  repent  and  found  mercy, 
and  the  rest  were  hardened.  And  this  judgment  is 
eternal,  and  shall  stand  in  heaven,  as  it  is  passed  upon 
earth.  And  this  was  committed  to  the  apostles  as  a 
doctrine;  ai^  whom  they  bound,  were  bound;  and  who 
by  it  they  loosed,  were  loosed:  therefore  did  all  the 
saints  love  judgment;  for  it  is  the  ministration  of  Christ, 
ministered  out  upon  all  that's  against  Christ,  and  that 
which  is  against  Christ, is  against  the  soul:  so  this  judg- 
ment must  begin  at  the  house  of  God;  but  where  the 
devil  keeps  the  house,  he  rejects  it;  and  saith  Solomon, 
the  ungodly  scorneth  judgment,  and  evil  men  understand 
it  not ;  so  saith  he,  there  is  that  is  destroyed  for  want  of 
judgment;  and  he  that  hath  not  judgment  is  blind,  and 
sees  not  that  this  enemy  reigns,  which  will  reign  till 
judgment  be  brought  into  victory,  and  set  in  the  earth; 
but  when  judgment  is  laid  to  the  line,  and  righteousness 
to  the  plummet,  then  the  covenant  with  hell  and  death 
must  be  disannulled.  So  all  that  are  in  this  covenant, 
love  not  that  which  breaks  it. 

And  this  is  your  case,  who  hate  reproof,  who  when 
you  are  told  of  your  evil  hearts,  where  sin  lives,  and 
your  cursed  crooked  nature,  you  say,  who  made  thee  a 
judge?  And  many  say,  you  could  like  what  we  say, 
but  we  judge  people.  So  you  are  they  that  hate  judg- 
ment, and  would  not  have  the  ministry  of  Christ  to  go 
on;  for  who  hath  the  spirit  of  Christ,  hath  the  spirit  of 
judgment;  and  who  serve  that  spirit,  must  suffer  it  to 
speak  and  judge  in  them;  and  all  that  oppose  it  shall 


299  ) 


ue  condemned  by  it.  Therefore  said  David,  the  tongue 
of  tiie  righteous  talketh  judgment,  the  law  of  God  is  in 
his  heart,  his  steps  shall  not  slide;  but  the  wicked  seek- 
cih  to  slay  him. 

So,  for  uttering  the  judgments  of  God  against  the 
wicked,  have  the  just  ever  suffered;  and  for  the  same 
do  you  now  hate  them,  and  condemn  them ;  and  you  are 
in  the  same  nature  and  covenant  that  your  forefathers 
were  in,  who  shed  the  innocent  blood;  and  you  would 
liave  joined  with  them  had  you  lived  with  them,  what- 
ever your  deceit  may  say  to  the  contrary.  And  you 
are  found  in  the  same  opposition  to  the  utmost  power 
you  have,  against  the  spirit  of  judgment  now,  as  they 
were  then;  and  the  cause  is  the  same  now  as  it  was 
then,  both  they  and  you  living  in  that  which  is  for  judg- 
ment, fire  and  condemnation;  therefore  you  cannot  re- 
ceive their  testimony,  who  have  judged  and  condemned 
that  evil,  which  you  love  and  live  in.  And  for  this 
cause  Cain  slew  his  brother,  and  so  do  all  his  genera- 
tion. And  with  that  which  you  hate  shall  you  be  con- 
demned, and  shall  not  be  able  to  stand  in  judgment^ 
which  is  the  saints  delight,  in  which  they  are  united  to 
God,  as  he  hath  said,  I  will  betroth  ye  unto  me  forever, 
in  righteousness  and  in  judgment;  which  righteousness 
and  judgment  must  condemn  the  wicked.  So  who  hath 
Christ,  hath  him  in  judgment  and  righteousness,  and 
love  him,  his  judgment  and  righteousness;  but  who  is 
married  unto  the  world,  cannot  love  that  which  is  his 
:ondemnation  for  so  doing. 


CONCERMNG  PERFECTIO>\ 

God  is  perfect,  and  so  are  all  his  works  and  all  his  gifts; 
and  whoever  receives  his  gifts,  receives  that  which  is 
perfect.  And  by  receiving  and  joining  to  that  which 
iS  perfect,  is  the  creature  gradually  made  perfect.  And 
no  further  than  the  creature  is  in  this  perfection,  can  any 


(  300  ) 


be  united  to  God,  nor  appear  in  his  sight,  nor  be  blessed^ 
but  are  gone  out  from  what  was  in  the  beginning,  and 
so  are  not  delivered  out  of  the  fall,  nor  redeemed,  and 
have  no  more  of  Christ,  than  what  they  have  of  perfec- 
tion; for  perfection  is  of  Christ,  and  imperfection  and 
sin  is  of  the  devil.  And  these  are  two  contraries, 
and  come  from  contrary  grounds,  and  bring  forth  contra- 
ry fruits;  for  he  that  is  of  God  is  of  perfection,  and  be- 
lieves perfection,  but  who  is  of  the  serpent  cannot  own 
it,  nor  believe  it,  being  blinded  by  the  God  of  this 
world. 

God  sent  his  son  into  the  world,  to  preach  perfection, 
even  the  perfection  in  the  image  of  the  father,  that  all 
who  will  believe  may  inherit  it;  and  all  that  believed 
him,  believed  perfection.  And  when  he  had  left  a  per- 
fect example  in  all  things,  he  ascended,  and  gave  gifts 
to  men,  several  sorts  of  gifts;  all  for  the  perfecting  of  the 
saints,  that  all  might  come  up  to  one  faith,  to  a  perfect 
man,  to  the  measure  of  the  stature,  and  of  the  fulness 
of  Christ,  that  so  he  may  be  an  everlasting  redeemer, 
perfecting  the  work  of  God  in  every  generation  of  them 
that  believe  in  his  work  and  follow  him. 

And  this  all  his  ministers  improved  to  the  same  end, 
and  preached  and  prayed,  that  they  might  present  every 
man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus  from  whom  they  had  received 
the  gift.  And  all  that  believed  them,  believed  perfec- 
tion, and  pressed  after  it,  as  the  end  of  their  faith; 
knowing  nothing  less  than  perfection  could  give  them 
perfect  rest  and  redemption. 

Now  since  the  mystery  of  iniquity  entered,  there  is 
a^nother  ministry  gone  out  into  the  world,  who  hath  ta- 
ken up  an  imitation  instead  of  gift,  and  have  begotten 
another  kind  of  faith  in  the  world,  wholly  reprobate  as 
to  perfection,  preaching  against  it  with  all  the  power 
they  have,  holding  it  for  blasphemy,  and  calling  it  a 
doctrine  of  devils,  and  the  like.  And  these  would  be 
called  the  ministers  of  Christ,  that  so  they  may  not 
miss  of  their  end;  for  did  they  come  in  his  name,  whose 
work  they  uphold,  he  knows  they  might  run  in  vain. 
Thus  they  deceive  all,  who  receive  them  by  their  words; 
but  who  mind  the  end  of  their  work,  may  easily  see  as 


(   301  ) 


much  difterence  as  is  betvvxit  Christ  and  Belial.  The 
work  of  Christ  is,  and  ever  was,  to  renew  man  again 
to  his  perfect  state;  but  the  work  of  antichrist  is,  to 
withstand  it,  and  each  hath  his  ministers  suitable  to 
their  ends  intended.  Christ's  end  is  to  perfect,  the  dev- 
il's is  to  keep  imperfect,  and  in  sin.  And  each  minister 
hath  their  faith,  hope,  and  other  gifts  suitable,  one  pure, 
the  other  polluted.  And  according  to  each  faith,  so  it  is 
to  all  that  believe  them  and  follow  them;  for  the  faith 
of  Christ  is  a  shield,  and  gives  victory  over  uncleanness, 
sin  and  evil;  but  the  devil's  faith  lets  ii\,  and  believes  it 
must  be  so:  for  had  not  the  devil  first  brought  man  to 
believe  him,  rather  than  God,  he  could  not  have  pollu- 
ted what  God  had  perfected.  And  the  same  way  he 
takes  to  keep  up  his  work,  by  which  at  first  he  wrought  it. 

So  none  can  come  to  know  a  new  creature,  but  who 
believe  perfection  in  Christ;  nor  can  any  come  to  God, 
nor  Christ,  nor  God's  righteousness,  but  who  comes  to 
believe  perfection  attainable  in  Christ.  For  all  who  are 
in  the  imperfect  and  polluted  righteousness,  are  in  your 
own  righteousness;  for  the  least  measure  of  God's 
righteousness  is  perfect,  and  all  come  into  perfection 
who  become  true  servants  to  it,  and  thereby  become  free 
from  sin.  So  by  your  unbelief  you  destroy  your  souls, 
who  are  in  your  own  works,  which  make  nothing  prefect. 

And  so,  measuring  yourselves  with  yourselves,  cuts 
you  off  from  Christ,  and  measuring  your  faith  by  your 
own  ability;  so  standing  in  that  covenant  which  makes 
nothing  perfect,  but  the  coming  in  of  a  better  hope  doth. 
And  this  all  know,  whose  faith  stands  in  what  God  is, 
and  not  what  we  can  do;  in  everlasting  righteousness, 
not  in  what  we  have  to  work:  the  one  being  righteous- 
ness by  faith  revealed, a  gift  put  into  the  believer;  the 
other,  an  imitation  of  the  same  in  works,  but  not  the 
power:  and  such  are  you,  who  read  a  verse,  and  see 
therein  what  the  saints  did,  and  then  set  yourselves  to 
do  the  like,  but  know  not  that  righteousness,  revealed 
in  you  in  the  faith  which  they  had,  which  was  wrought 
in  them  by  the  Lord,  before  they  brought  it  to  light ;  and 
so  did  not  work  of  themselves,  but  believed  on  him  who 
worketh  the  will  and  the  deed  of  his  own  good  pleasure. 


C  302  ) 


who  alone  is  weli-pleased  with  his  own  work,  and  with 
all  who  are  servants  to  his  work,  to  bring  it  to  light  to 
his  praise,  whose  workmanship  such  are.  And  they 
who  are  found  herein,  have  his  witnesses  in  the  iiglit,  to 
prove  their  works,  that  they  are  wrought  in  God,  and 
not  of  self,  self-will,  nor  for  self-ends,  nor  in  self-time, 
nor  in  self-power.  And  all  that  know  this  perfect  will 
and  acceptable  work  of  God,  know  it  begotten  and 
brought  forth  in  self-denial,  in  all  things;  and  not  of  us, 
but  of  him  that  is  perfect:  and  so  makes  our  way  per- 
fect. And  this  is  the  covenant  that  makes  periect  all 
that  come  thereto;  and  self  being  denied  in  the  work, 
boasting  is  excluded  by  the  law  of  faith,  which  receives 
the  free  and  perfect  gift. 

And  for  this  cause  the  first  covenant  was  found  faulty 
and  disannulled,  because  it  made  not  the  comers  thereto 
perfect,  as  pertaining  to  the  conscience,  nor  did  exclude 
boasting;  no  more  doth  your  imitations  from  the  letter, 
for  the  light  in  your  consciences  witnesseth  your  imper- 
fection therein,  and  your  works  are  condemned  before 
they  be  wrought,  and  your  ministers  tell  you  your  right- 
eousness is  not  perfect,  yet  they  call  for  righteousness, 
and  yet  say,  your  best  is  but  as  filthy  rags:  and  they  call 
for  prayer,  and  yet  tell  you,  that  you  must  be  sinners 
while  you  live,  and  that  the  prayers  of  the  wicked  are 
abomination  to  the  Lord.  So  the  abominable  sacrifice 
is  preached,  and  performed ;  and  perfection  denied  by  all 
those  priests  and  people  who  have  not  received  the  gift 
for  perfecting.  And  of  this  sort,  are  they  who  have  their 
preaching  to  study  and  to  seek  at  other  mens  mouths, 
or  from  the  letter,  but  have  it  not  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Lord,  freely  given,  the  perfect  gift  for  perfecting  the 
saints.  So  what  they  get,  that  they  sell ;  for  none  can 
give  freely  but  who  so  receives;  nor  can  any  perfect  oth- 
ers, who  have  not  the  perfect  gift  themselves. 

So  you  that  talk  of  perfection,  you  must  first  know^a 
free  gift  from  above.  Perfection  is  not  from  below, 
where  you  have  your  carnal  imaginations,  and  reason, 
and  wisdom,  and  prudence,  gotten  by  your  learning  and 
studies,  whereof  you  boast,  and  wherein  you  exalt  your- 
selves above  your  brethren,  for  that  self  exaltation  came 


(   303  ) 


in  by  the  devil,  and  perfection  is  hid  from  it,  and  all  that 
live  therein  ;  neither  can  it  be  bought  or  sold,  nor  pro- 
cured with  all  the  industry  of  man,  only  such  obtain  it 
who  wait  in  the  light,  till  they  receive  the  free  gift  of 
righteousness,  and  be  indued  with  power  from  above: 
not  they  who  hear  a  thing  in  the  notion  and  then  declare 
it;  nor  who  see  a  work  done,  and  go  to  do  the  like;  for 
none  were  more  like  to  have  been  able  ministers  than 
the  apostles  in  this,  who  had  seen  the  mighty  work  of 
Christ,  and  heard  him  and  his  doctrine ;  but  these  were 
not  fit  for  perfecting  the  saints,  till  they  had  received 
the  same  spirit  from  above:  therefore  were  they  com- 
manded to  wait  at  Jerusalem  till  therewith  they  were 
indued;  and  then  they  were  made  able  ministers,  not  of 
the  letter,  but  of  the  spirit;  and  their  testament  in  the 
spirit,  and  not  old  in  the  letter,  for  that  of  the  letter  kills, 
but  the  spirit  perfects. 

And  so  all  that  ever  bear  the  testament  in  spirit, 
preach  and  believe  perfection,  but  that  testament  of  the 
letter  being  without,  cannot  perfect  the  comers  thereto: 
for  the  light,  faith,  hope,  love,  patience,  &c.  are  gifts  spir- 
itually given  for  perfecting,  and  cannot  be  had  any  oth- 
er w  ay  but  in  spirit,  freely  given,  and  freely  received, 
which  gifts  you  know  not,  nor  the  effect  of  them,  who 
are  in  the  literal  ministration ;  but  in  your  vain  imagina- 
tions and  comprehensions,  are  judging  you  know  not 
what,  and  limiting  the  spiritual  covenant  of  God  to  the 
literal ;  and  because  you  who  are  in  the  letter,  searching 
with  your  wit,  can  find  no  perfection,  therefore  you  will 
judge  the  spiritual  covenant  also:  that  so  the  devil  may 
forever  keep  people  from  the  coming  in  of  the  better 
hope:  for  if  the  first  covenant  made  nothing  perfect,  nor 
the  second  neither,  what  hope  is  there  for  people,  seeing 
no  imperfection  nor  uncleanness  can  enter  into  the  king- 
iom  of  Heaven? 


(  304  ) 


CONCERNING   GOVERNMEKT,  AND  MAGISTRACY, 

There  is  no  just  government  but  what  is  of  God,  and 
in  whomsoever  he  (having  called  them)  placeth  his 
power  and  authority;  which  is  just,  and  righteous,  re- 
ceived in  the  light,  and  from  the  anointing  of  Jesus,  and 
the  subjection  to  his  spiritual  power  in  the  soul,  whom 
the  father  hath  appointed  king  and  governor  of  all  things 
in  Heaven  and  in  earth:  and  none  can  deserve  the  name 
of  christian  governors,  but  who  by  him  are  governed, 
and  do  receive  his  authority,  with  subjection  thereunto  in 
spirit.  Therefore  saith  the  apostle,  let  every  soul  be 
subject  to  the  higher  power.  And  he  that  will  rule  for 
God,  must  first  see  that  his  own  soul  be  subject  to  the 
higher  power,  and  must  know  one  higher  than  he;  and 
so  himself  coming  under  that  power,  then  with  that 
power  and  authority  upon  him  he  goes  forh  to  rule  with 
God,  for  God;  and  having  set  up  his  kingdom  in  his 
heart,  he  goes  to  make  way  that  his  kingdom  may  be 
set  up  in  others;  that  all  may  bow  to  his  authority 
wherewith  he  is  anointed  from  above,  and  to  which  he 
is  become  subject  for  conscience  sake.  And  so  his  gov- 
ernment being  according  to  that  in  every  conscience, 
every  one  that  minds  that  in  the  conscience,  shall  wit- 
ness him  and  his  government  to  be  of  God,  and  so  he 
that  resists,  shall  receive  to  himself  condemnation,  wit- 
nessed by  that  in  the  conscience:  and  all  who  own  not 
that  in  the  conscience  w^hich  is  pure,  to  obey  the  Lord 
therein,  the  sword  of  the  Lord  in  the  hand  of  his  minis- 
ter shall  be  upon  such,  and  that  of  God  to  which  he  is 
subject,  even  the  anointing  he  hath  received,  shall  in- 
struct him  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  wisdom,  and  judg- 
ment, to  find  out  the  transgressor,  and  lay  the  sword  up- 
on him; and  such  shall  not  bear  the  sword  in  vain,  but 
a  terror  to  the  evil  doer  shall  be,  without  respect  to  the 
persons  of  men,  or  any  other  thing,  but  only  to  the  law  ^ 
of  God,  which  is  one  with  that  in  the  conscience. 

So  is  Christ  honoured  as  a  law-giver,  and  judge,  and 
king;  and  with  this  honour  he  honoureth  such  rulers  in 


(   305  ) 


lie  consciences  of  all  his  people,  and  before  all  the 
world  ;  and  though  the  world  knows  not  the  authority  of 
such,  nor  from  whom  they  have  it,  yet  all  that  fear  God 
do;  and  are  made  to  confess  them  before  God  and  man: 
and  so  Isaiah  was  made  to  confess  to  Cyrus,  whom  oth- 
ers  counted  a  heathen;  for  it  is  the  authority  in  the  per- 
son that  is  honourable,  wherever  it  is  placed.  So  Moses 
was  dreadful  in  this  authority,  though  otherwise  but  a 
shepherd,  and  the  meekest  man  in  the  world.  And 
Samuel  a  poor  man,  yet  this  authority  made  the  elders 
of  Bethlehem  to  tremble  at  his  coming  when  they  heard 
thereof.  Nay,  it  is  too  much  to  instance  in  particulars; 
for  all  that  ever  honoured  God  in  this,  he  honoured  them, 
whose  names  are  a  blessing  to  this  day,  and  their  me- 
morial shall  not  rot,  for  when  such  reign,  the  people  re- 
joice that  delight  in  righteousness;  the  just  are  bold, 
and  righteousness  flourishes  in  the  open  streets,  and 
wickedness  is  ashamed,  and  is  hid,  and  the  innocent 
clap  their  hands  for  joy  that  the  Lord  reigns,  and  their 
governors  are  of  themselves.  When  Christ  ruleth  in  all, 
then  he  makes  his  officers  peace,  and  his  exactors, 
righteousness. 

But  if  it  be  said,  must  not  men  own  wicked  magis- 
trates? I  say,  they  are  to  be  owned  and  obeyed  in  all 
things,  as  they  are  appointed  by  God;  for  God  limits 
them,  and  hath  set  bounds  to  them,  though  they  know  it 
not;  and  so  far  as  they  command  the  will  of  God,  they 
are  to  be  obeyed  for  conscience  sake ;  but  when  they  are 
contrary  to  God,  and  command  that  which  God  forbids, 
and  forbid  what  he  commands,  then  God  is  to  be  obeyed, 
and  man  denied  for  conscience  sake ;  for  none  can  be 
obeyed  for  conscience  sake,  who  command  that  which 
is  contrary  to  the  law  or  light  of  God  in  the  conscience; 
though  many  do  deny  the  Lord,  and  conform  to  such; 
yet  who  are  guided  by  the  spirit  of  God,  w^hich  keeps 
the  conscience  clean,  never  could,  but  in  all  ages  have 
suffered  violence  from  such,  to  keep  their  consciences 
void  of  offence;  for  so  it  must  be  when  rulers  them- 
selves deny  obedience  to  God  in  spirit,  then  all  who 
walk  after  the  spirit,  must  needs  suffer  by  them. 

39 


(   306  ) 


And  here  is  the  ground  of  all  persecution  that  ever 
was,  when  governors  are  out  of  the  fear  of  God,  and 
stand  in  their  ow^n  wills,  and  walk  after  the  flesh,  then 
thatf^ed  rules,  which  persecutes  him  that  is  born  after 
the  spirit,  and  so  the  enmity  getting  up,  snares  are  laid 
for  the  innocent,  to  make  him  an  offender  for  a  word, 
who  is  none  indeed:  and  from  this  ground  have  the 
lambs  been  devoured  always  as  evil  doers,  but  ever  in- 
nocent, yet  never  wanting  accusations,  as  hereticks,  ring- 
leaders of  sects  and  seditions,  blasphemers  and  the  like; 
that  so  the  devil  may  the  more  blind  the  world,  least 
they  should  see  his  envy,  and  their  innocency. 

And  in  the  time  of  such  governors  hath  the  lamb  borne 
testimony  in  much  patience,  meekness  and  long-suffer- 
ing, bearing  all  the  venom  and  envy  that  the  serpent 
could  cast  out  upon  him  (where  he  was  manifest  in  the 
creature)  for  a  witness  against  all  such  rulers;  that  his 
long-suffering  might  lead  them  to  repentance,  and  leave 
them  without  excuse  in  the  day  of  his  wrath;  and 
against  such  is  he  finishing  his  testimony  at  this  day. 
And  a  blinder  generation  never  was  in  any  age,  who 
have  run  from  all  tenderness,  so  far  into  that  wisdom, 
that  many  are  grown  wholly  past  feeling;  imprisoning, 
whipping,  and  torturing  their  brethren. 

And  as  every  generation  of  that  seed  grows  more 
subtil,  so  (in  the  things  of  Christ)  more  blind  and  deaf. 
So  that  it's  rare  to  find  one,  who  hath  an  ear  to  hear 
oppression ;  but  not  one,  whose  heart  is  perfect  to  deny 
the  world's  favour,  to  bear  witness  against  the  ground 
of  oppression:  So  the  just  man  perisheth,  and  none  lays 
it  ro  heart ;  nor  can  any  lay  it  to  heart,  whose  hearts  are 
filled  with  selfish  passion,  and  self-will ;  for  none  can 
rule  for  God,  whose  heart  is  not  ruled  by  God ;  but  when 
the  Lord  rules  in  the  heart,  then  the  just  reigns,  and  the 
cause  of  the  just  is  heard,  and  he  that  rules  for  the  just, 
rules  for  God,  and  with  God,  over  the  unjust;  first  in 
himself,  then  in  all  the  world;  otherwise  though  an  un- 
just judge  may  hear  the  cause  of  the  poor  in  some  case, 
or  time,  yet  it  is  not  for  God,  nor  from  obedience  to  the 
spirit  of  judgment,  which  is  of  God,  the  heart  being 
filled  with  self-ends. 


(  307  ) 

,  So  that  he  that  is  a  self-lover,  or  prouJ,  or  covetous, 
or  respects  gifts,  or  rewards,  cannot  rule  for  God,  nor 
can  he  that  respects  persons  rule  for  God,  nor  with  God, 
who  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  but  only  hath  respect  to 
such  as  walk  in  obedience  to  that  just  principle  of  him- 
self: nor  can  such  as  seek  for  honour  from  men,  rule  for 
God ;  for  such  are  out  of  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  in  the 
qnreasonable  nature,  seeking  the  praise  of  men,  and  so 
cannot  have  the  praise  of  God ;  for  the  friendship  of  the 
world  is  enmity  with  God,  and  he  that  seeks  the  one, 
loses  the  other.  And  such  as  are  out  of  the  fear  of  God, 
cannot  rule  for  God,  for  such  are  subject  to  be  drawn 
with  fear  or  favour  of  men,  from  the  just  principle  of 
God,  out  of  which  none  can  rule  for  God. 

And  herein  is  the  clear  difference  betwixt  heathens 
and  christians.  The  one  exercises  justice,  and  judg- 
ment, and  righteousness,  which  is  of  God,  and  in  his 
will,  whereby  they  rule  over  all  unrighteousness  of  men 
of  corrupt  minds,  and  principles  whatsoever,  and  stand 
in  the  authority  of  God,  a  terror  to  the  evil  doer:  the 
other  exercise  lordship  over  men's  persons,  in  their  own 
wills,  which  they  set  up  in  their  selfish  principle,  in  car- 
nal policy,  who  lay  the  sword  upon  the  just,  as  on  the 
unjust,  if  he  bow  not  to  their  wills;  which  who  stands  in 
the  will  of  God  may  not  do;  and  so  they  that  abide  in 
the  fear  of  God,  do  ever  suffer  by  such  as  are  out  of  his. 
fear.  And  though  these  be  set  in  their  places  by  the 
permission  or  appointment  of  God,  yet  not  knowing  him, 
who  ordereth  all  things,  to  order  them,  though  they  are 
restrained  from  evil,  or  made  to  do  his  will,  yet  have 
they  no  reward,  nor  share  in  it,  not  doing  it  in  obedience 
of  God,  nor  from  a  principle  of  equity,  not  knowing 
Christ  guiding  and  leading  them  therein;  they  are  no 
christians,  whatever  they  may  call  themselves. 

And  to  such  as  these  who  mind  not  that  light  or  law 
of  God  to  govern  withal,  hath  God  sent  his  servants  to 
testify  to  their  faces  of  their  departure  from  the  just 
principle,  [and  so  cannot  please  God  with  his  govern- 
ment, yet  did  they  never  plot  against  them,  nor  mur- 
mur] which  if  they  did  hear,  they  rejoiced  to  see  them 
established  as  a  blessing  to  the  place  and  people,  whicl^ 


(  308  ) 


the  people  of  God,  ever  seek  to  God  for ;  but  if  they  heai 
not,  then  they  are  made  to  mourn  that  God  should  be 
grieved,  and  his  creature  lost,  especially  in  such  a  place 
by  which  God  may  be  so  dishonoured,  and  a  nation  or 
town  plagued  from  the  Lord  for  his  sake  who  hath  the 
sword  of  God  in  his  hand,  and  suffers  sin,  but  punishes 
the  innocent,  both  which  the  Lord  will  revenge;  and 
seldom  but  the  place  where  it  is  done  tastes  thereof, 
which  such  as  rule  with  God,  and  for  him,  prevent;  yea, 
by  such  the  peace  hath  been  lengthened  after  the  judg- 
ment hath  been  pronounced.  So  when  the  righteous 
reigns,  God  is  honoured,  and  good  men  rejoice ;  but  when 
wickedness  gets  up  in  the  magistrate,  then  the  Lord  is 
dishonoured,  and  the  glory  departs. 


CONCERNING  OBEDIENCE 

Spiritual  and  living  obedience,  is  not  that  of  man's 
way  and  will,  wherein  men  and  women  (in  the  first 
birth,  and  wisdom  therein)  read  the  scriptures,  and  there 
find  what  the  saints  performed  in  the  spirit  and  power 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  from  that  set  themselves  on  work 
to  do  the  like;  and  so  make  an  imitation  instead  of 
obedience,  and  set  up  self-works  instead  of  Christ's 
works;  and  obey  self-righteousness,  instead  of  God's 
righteousness;  and  so  cover  themselves  with  filthy  rags 
instead  of  everlasting  righteousness.  But  all  who  will 
know  true  obedience,  noust  first  know  a  measure  of  God's 
spirit  in  the  light  of  Jesus,  and  therein  moving  and  draw- 
ing towards  Christ  Jesus,  wherein  the  faith  is,  which 
lays  hold  on  God's  righteousness  which  is  in  Christ  Je- 
sus, and  by  the  moving  of  his  spirit  in  the  light,  the 
truth  is  seen,  and  the  obedience  that  is  one  in  Christ  Je- 
sus the  second  Adam.  And  as  the  creature  is  joined 
in  the  light  to  that  spirit  of  Christ,  and  in  believing, 
there  is  the  life  of  Jesus  made  manifest,  quickening  the 
body  unto  that  one  obedience,  which  is  contrary  to  the 
will  of  man;  and  the  mind  being  kept  spiritual  in  the 


(  309  ) 

I measure  the  seed  is  raised,  and  the  new#is  born,  of  that 
spirit;  to  which  seed  the  promise, and  power  is,  wherein 
•the  creature  is  joined  heir  with  Christ  Jesus,  who  is 
God's  righteousness;  and  so  in  the  faith  is  the  glad  ti- 
dings of  good  things  preached  to  the  soul,  and  by  the 
power  of  the  gospel  preached  to  the  creature;  the 
righteousness  of  God  is  revealed  from  faith  to  faith, 
and  the  just  lives  in  that  faith,  and  Christ  is  manifest 
for  obedience  to  the  faith:  and  all  that  are  in  this  faith, 
are  in  the  one  obedience,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  which 
he  learned  of  the  father  for  us;  that  in  that  obedience 
many  may  be  made  righteous,  and  all  that  learn  Christ, 
learn  his  obedience;  which  was  not  what  he  saw  or 
heard  from  men,  but  what  he  saw  and  heard  of  the 
father;  not  in  his  own  time  or  will,  but  in  the  father's, 
could  he  do  any  thing,  but  what  he  see  the  father  do, 
in  that  work  he  was  found,  doing  the  same,  as  he  was 
taught  of  the  father  in  his  obedience  to  him;  not  what 
the  scribes  and  pharisees  did,  thcnigh  they  sate  in  Mose  i' 
seat,  nor  what  the  world  approved,  but  what  was  con- 
trary to  all  the  world,  and  contrary  to  his  own  will ;  only 
submitting  to  the  moving  of  the  spirit  of  the  father  that 
dwelt  in  him,  by  which  alone  he  was  guided  and  fur- 
nished to  every  good  work. 

And  all  that  believe  in  him,  and  follovi^  his  light,  he 
leads  them  by  degrees  into  the  same  knowledge  and 
obedience,  out  of  all  carnal  knowledge,  power,  and  obe- 
dience; and  by  faith  the  creature  is  made  partaker  of 
his  obedience,  and  the  power  thereof  from  faith  to  faith. 
And  all  that  have  learned  him,  as  he  is,  so  are  they  in 
this  present  world,  both  in  love,  and  life,  and  power,  and 
spirit;  and  in  all  this  in  the  measure  as  he  is  learned; 
and  as  any  come  to  the  unity  of  the  faith  in  him,  to  a 
measure  of  his  fulness,  so  the  obedience  is  but  one,  the 
power  one,  the  way  one,  and  the  son  one,  and  the  father 
one.  And  this  is  not  any  thing  from  without,  but  in 
spirit  it  is  learned  and  obtained,  and  the  mystery  of  it 
is  'hid  from  all  who  are  without,  and  the  ministration  of 
it  is  spiritual  within,  whereby  that  obedience  is  known, 
which  is  to  the  truth,  through  the  spirit,  which  is  in  life, 
and  not  in  imitation;  but  in  the  will  of  God,  and  not  in 


(  310  ) 


sclt-will;  which  obedience  stands  not  in  any  thing  seew 
from  man,  or  by  man  done,  thereby  to  imitate  or  do  the 
like,  but  it  stands  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  in  his  own  obe- 
dience to  the  father,  seen  in  the  light,  and  in  the  faith 
received,  whereby  the  believer  is  made  one  in  it,  and 
it  in  him;  that  as  the  same  father  calls  for  the  same 
obedience  in  spirit,  so  in  the  same  spirit  doth  the  be- 
liever offer  up  himself,  and  all  he  hath  in  the  same  power 
and  obedience  in  Christ  Jesus:  and  so  as  the  creature 
by  faith  partakes  of  that  one  obedience,  in  the  second 
Adam, he  is  made  righteous  and  no  farther;  even  as  all 
are  made  sinners,  as  they  partake  of  the  disobedience 
of  the  first  Adam,  and  no  farther. 

And  who  knows  to  partake  of  this  obedience,  knows 
the  eternal  spirit  in  which  all  the  children  of  God  have 
been  taught,  and  enabled  to  this  one  obedience,  in  their 
several  meas-ures,  ever  since  the  world  w^as,  which  is  not 
works  by  them  done,  but  the  everlasting  righteousness 
Ift  of  God,  obeyed  in  that  spirit,  according  to  the  motions 
thereof  seen  in  the  light  of  Christ,  which  none  know  who 
are  heart-blind,  and  who  mindf  the  motions  of  the  flesh, 
and  obey  them,  their  mind  being  gone  out  to  carnal 
pleasures, the  call  to  this  obedience  is  not  by  them  heard ; 
nevertheless  the  same  carnal  spirit  that  leads  out  into 
the  world,  teaches  to  make  an  imitation  of  this  obe- 
dience, and  so  deceives  the  simple,  by  setting  up  a  like- 
ness without  life;  and  so  glories  in  appearance,  but  not 
in  heart.  And  the  witness  of  God  in  the  heart  or  con- 
science of  such,  testifying  to  the  face  of  such,  that  their 
obedience  is  not  perfect  nor  accepted;  they  conclude, 
that  there  can  be  no  perfect  obedience  attained  in  this 
world;  they  not  knowing  the  mighty  powerful  working 
of  God  in  spirit,  which  worketh  in  them  perfectly  who 
believe  and  walk  in  the  light;  whereby  such  become 
his  workmanship  in  Christ  Jesus,  wrought  into  his  obe- 
dience, and  his  obedience  into  them,  in  their  measure, 
till  they  become  of  one  heart,  one  mind,  one  soul,  one 
spirit,  one  flesh  and  bone,  and  blood,  and  one  obedience, 
and  one  life,  that  it  is  no  more  we  that  live,  but  Christ 
that  lives  in  us;  and  the  life  that  we  now  live  is  by 
faith  in  the  son  of  God,    And  though  the  fulness  of  this 


(   311  ) 


obedience  is  not  attained  at  once,  yet  the  least  measure 
of  it  is  perfect,  and  accepted;  and  so  accepted  in  him, 
in  whom  it  is  wrought,  as  the  obedience  of  a  child  is  as 
pure, clear,  and  willing,  as  the  strong  man's;  even  so  is 
the  new  birth  in  Christ  Jesus,  according  to  what  God 
requires  thereof,  who  never  requires,  but  what  he  gives; 
and  never  gives,  but  what  is  perfect,  and  what  he  per- 
fectly accepts,  which  gifts  are  all  in  his  son;  and  in 
him,  the  least  is  accepted;  and  every  one  that  therein 
exercise  themselves  without  mixture. 


COIVCERiaNG  GOOD  WOHKS. 

m 

As  there  is  but  one  chief  good,  so  there  is  but  one 
principal  worker  of  good  in  heaven,  and  in  earth,  who 
by  the  word  of  his  power,  made  all  good  in  the  begin- 
ning; and  in  this  good  work  and  will  was  man  made  in 
the  will  ofXjod;  in  his  image  and  goodness  he  stood; 
but  falling  from  this  steadfastness  that  w^as  in  God,  and 
betaking  him  unto  self,  thereby  to  become  wise,  he  be- 
came subti  and  proud  in  himself,  seeking  to  be  as  God, 
for  which  he  was  cast  out  from  God,  his  power,  love, 
and  goodness,  and  being  fallen  into  the  dark  imagina- 
tions of  his  own  heart;  and  finding  himself  under  the 
curse  (whereof  the  light  of  Christ  in  the  conscience  is  a 
witness)  he  hath  set  himself  to  make  a  likeness  of  God, 
and  Christ,  and  God's  worship,  and  good  works,  faith, 
hope,  patience,  love,  kc,  but  being  under  the  powers  of 
darkness,  neither  knows  God,  nor  his  work;  but  is  de- 
ceived by  the  prince  of  darkness,  and  so  doth  please 
himself  with  an  imitation  of  God,  and  his  work,  but 
without  power,  and  so,  as  he  imagines,  is  doing  good: 
but  the  testimony  of  God  in  his  heart,  bears  witness 
against  him,  that  his  work  is  not  perfect,  nor  accepted. 

He  also  imagines  that  he  is  redeemed,  butjs  still  un- 
der the  commanding  power  of  satan,  led  captive  at  his 
will ;  who  that  he  may  the  more  strongly  bind  him,  he 
leads  him  sometimes  into  a  seeming  worship,  that  so  he 


(   312  ) 


may  not  so  much  suspect  his  way,  nor  be  too  much  trou- 
bled at  his  other  unrighteous  practices:  so  that  the 
worst  of  men  in  this  state,  have  a  worship;  and  each 
sort  think  they  are  right,  though  there  be  but  one  way, 
and  they  all  without  it;  and  each  in  their  thoughts,  are 
not  so  bad  as  others;  but  have  their  several  pretended 
good  works,  though  there  be  but  one  good  work  to 
make  men  good,,  and  they  all  out  of  it  in  their  own 
works. 

And  it  is  no  small  work  to  deceive  the  least  of  these 
who  are  thus  conceited,  though  men  of  greater  wit  and 
parts  (as  they  call  them,  which  is  but  a  higher  deceit) 
may  lead  them  from  one  deceit  to  another;  yet  all  the 
world's  wisdom  cannot  bring  them  into  the  good  work, 
nor  the  way  wherein  it  is  wrought.  Only  such  who 
mind  the  light  of  Christ  in  their  dark  hearts,  which 
manifests  to  them  the  eviU  deeds,  and  reproves  them 
for  them,  and  can  believe  it  to  be  the  light  of  Christ,  and 
thereto  take  heed  to  follow  it  out  of  the  world,  and  car- 
nal-mindedness,  and  in  that  light  wait,  till  the  living 
word  they  come  to  receive  in  their  hearts,  only  such 
come  into  the  good  work  and  will  of  God:  for  without 
the  word  was  nothing  made,  nor  without  it  can  any  be 
redeemed:  for  it  is  the  word  of  the  Lord,  heard  and  re- 
ceived, that  quickens  the  dead,  and  raises  to  life  that 
which  is  dead  in  the  trespasses  and  sins;  and  the  spirit- 
ual man  being  quickened,  the  power  of  the  word  brings 
forth  in  him  the  work  of  God's  righteousness,  which  was 
from  everlasting;  which,  in  the  measure  thereof,  con- 
firms the  creature  unto  God  in  righteousness,  who  lost 
his  image  in  unrighteousness;  and  so  is  the  creature  re- 
newed in  the  spirit  of  the  mind,  and  inward  parts,  to 
receive  wisdom  and  power  in  the  hidden  man,  how  to 
escape  the  evil,  and  resist  it,  and  to  bring  to  light  what 
God  begets  in  the  heart,  and  so  the  new  creature  is  seen 
created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works,  to  walk  therein, 
as  was  fore-ordained  of  God. 

And  as  the  believer  is  found  diligent  in  the  light  wait- 
ing, and  in  the  spirit  obedient  to  this  work,  in  this  work 
he  comes  still  more  to  learn  God's  power  and  teaching, 
and  Christ's  obedience,  and  God's  wisdom  and  care 


(   313  ) 


jver  him,  in  leading  into  the  sufferings,  and  tribulations. 

rials,  and  temptations,  and  the  faith  and  fellowship 
with  Christ  therein;  in  wiiich,  if  the  creature  stand,  not 
a  hair  can  fall,  but  he  is  sure  to  come  out  more  pure 
than  gold;  and  so  in  all  this  work,  he  grows  in  the 
knowledge  of  Christ,  and  his  sonship,  toward  the  meas- 
ure, and  stature,  and  fulness  of  the  perfect  man,  into 
the  likeness  of  God:  and  thus  the  saints  were  made 
conformable  to  God,  by  his  mighty  w^orking,  whereby  he 
wrought  powerfully  in  them,  after  his  good  pleasure, 
contrary  to  their  fleshly  pleasures.  And  what  is  thus 
wrought,  is  good,  because  it  comes  from  the  fountain  of 
all  good;  and  this  is  not  a  new  w^ork,  but  the  everlas- 
ting good  work  of  God,  manifest  to  the  creature,  and 
through  the  creature  to  the  world,  by  which  God  is  glo- 
rified, who  is  the  father  and  author,  and  finisher  thereof 
in  every  one  that  truly  believes. 

And  this  is  no  self- work,  nor  can  it  be  wrought  in  any 
but  where  self  is  denied,  and  a  cross  to  self  taken  up; 
so  boasting  is  excluded,  the  creature  having  nothing  but 
what  he  hath  received,  neither  by  his  own  will  nor  deed, 
but  by  believing  in  the  light,  and  in  obedience  of  faith. 
And  with  this  faith  and  work  are  all  the  world  judged, 
who  are  in  their  own  works;  and  all  that  are  without 
works,  whose  faith  is  dead,  are  to  every  good  work  rep- 
robate: and  whose  works  are  their  own,  their  prayers 
are  abomination;  where  the  works  come  not  from  this 
one  everlasting  work  and  workings.    For  though  there 
be  many  works,  as  to  the  creatures  obedience  and  meas- 
ure, yet  they  all  complete  but  this  one  work  ofthecrea* 
ture's  redemption,  and  God's  praise  therein,  the  begin- 
ning and  end  of  all. 

And  of  this  work  of  God  is  all  the  world  ignorant, 
who  are  preachmg,  pressing,  and  acting  their  good 
works,  (as  they  call  them)  but  all  their  works  do  not 
manifest  a  power  that  brings  them  out  of  sin,  and  the 
world's  conformity,  and  service  thereof  in  his  ways  and 
worship;  but  every  good  work  of  God  in  his  saints,  who 
become  obedient  to  his  working,  as  they  subject  to 
bring  forth  the  good  work  and  w^ill  of  God;  every  work 
begets  the  creature  nearer  to  God,  and  into  his  likenes? 

40 


(   314  ) 


and  nature,  and  this  is  the  reward  of  good  works  to 
every  one  who  are  exercised  therein,  that  therehy  they 
are  wrought  out  of  the  world's  likeness  and  conformity, 
and  so  out  of  their  friendship,  till  they  suft'er  all  manner 
of  evil  for  the  name  of  God,  and  the  nature  of  his  works 
that  is  in  them,  which  is  opposite  to  the  world's  works, 
and  the  world  to  them.  And  so  their  name  being  cast 
out  as  evil  among  men,  they  are  received  into  the  love 
of  the  father  of  the  work,  for  which  they  are  hated  of 
the  world;  and  so  the  reproach  of  the  world  becomes 
great  riches  to  all  who  love  God,  and  are  obedient  to 
his  work,  which  none  who  stand  in  their  own  wills  can 
inherit. 

And  so  self-works,  and  God's  works  are  manifest  in 
the  light.  The  one  is,  that  which  men  see,  or  hear,  or 
imagine,  and  so  set  themselves  to  imitate  the  same  in 
their  own  wills  and  ways,  which  they  have  conceived 
in  their  fallen  wisdom,  and  earthly  minds,  not  in  spirit, 
new  born,  but  in  the  oldness  of  the  letter,  or  tradition 
from  men:  but  God's  works  are  those  which  are  from 
everlasting,  before  the  will  of  man,  or  the  world's  cus- 
toms, and  therefore  must  conform  to  neither:  but  every 
one  who  into  this  work  will  come,  must  deny  the  world, 
and  their  own  wills,  and  all  that  is  in  them  must  bow, 
and  conform  to  the  motion  of  the  spirit,  and  to  its  work- 
ings, which  is  seen  to  such  as  in  the  light  dwell,  and  in 
its  way  and  time  must  bring  forth  the  fruit  of  the  spirit 
in  due  season;  not  the  works  of  the  flesh,  nor  to  the 
flesh;  but  the  working  of  the  spirit  to  God,  in  the  sight 
of  God;  and  the  praise  of  such  is  not  of  the  world, 
who  bring  not  forth  to  the  world ;  but  of  God,  who  bring 
forth  to  God,  and  the  world  praises  its  own. 


CONCERNING  ELECTION  AND  HEPROBATION. 

This  is  that  doctrine  which  is  sealed  from  all  the 
world;  nor  can  any  one  know  it, or  receive  it  truly  who 


(  315  ) 


^re  ui  the  reprobate  state;  though  many  be  disputing 
about  it  in  the  dark,  which  none  know  but  the  children 
of  light.  So  as  one  who  had  obtained  favour  to  have 
this  mystery  revealed,  I  shall  according  to  permission 
write  a  few  words,  as  it  is  received  in  Jesus,  yet  can  be 
received  by  no  man's  wisdom,  nor  any  who  only  are  born 
after  the  flesh ;  but  who  knows  what  it  is  to  walk  in  the 
spirit,  shall  witness  me  herein. 

And  I  deny  all  of  that  spirit  who  would  foolishl}^ 
charge  God  to  have  concluded  the  condemnation  of 
some  persons  before  they  come  into  the  world;  and 
though  they  seek  after  God,  yet  they  cannot  be  saved, 
because  God  hath  purposed  the  contrary:  and  on  the 
contrary,  some  are  concluded  to  salvation,  though  they 
live  and  die  in  their  sins.  And  this  is  the  spirit  of  the 
world,  which  knows  not  the  secrets  of  God  revealed  in 
spirit,  and  therefore  judge  carnally  from  the  letter,  from 
the  figures,  and  shadows,  but  know  not  the  uprightness 
that  lies  in  the  mystery;  for  being  without,  so  they 
imagine.  But  none  know  the  purpose  of  God,  accor- 
ding to  election,  but  who  come  to  see  that  the  election 
and  reprobation  are  in  the  two  seeds,  that  after  the 
flesh,  and  that  after  the  spirit;  and  he  that  can  judge  of 
these  two,  he  knows  the  two  vessels,  ordained  to 
honour  and  dishonour:  and  as  every  one  is  found  in 
these,  so  is  God's  purpose  touching  them. 

Now  in  the  fall  all  are  in  the  dishonour,  and  so  chil- 
dren of  wrath  under  the  curse,  and  heirs  thereof,  and  so 
without  God,  or  the  promise;  and  so  not  having  the 
in-dwelling  of  God,  no  vessels  of  honour,  but  reprobate 
concerning  God.  Now  in  Christ  Jesus  is  the  election, 
and  the  elect  seed,  in  whom  the  election  is  obtained, 
and  in  whom  alone  it  is  established ;  and  in  the  midst  of 
all  the  dishonour  his  light  is  tendered  to  lead  out  of  the 
dishonour, the  curse,  and  the  fall:  and  whosoever  he  be 
that  will  believe  in  his  light,  without  respect  of  persons, 
he  leads  out  of  the  world,  and  to  the  cleansing  and 
purging  the  body,  soul  and  mind,  till  the  vessel  be  chan- 
ged, from  the  oldness  of  the  will,  and  affections  and 
lusts  of  the  flesh,  till  the  newness  of  the  spirit  be  wit- 
nessed, and  so  the  creature  in  heart  and  mind  is  brought 


(  316  ) 


out  of  the  flesh,  wherein  the  dishonour  lodges,  anc 
which  is  prepared  for  dishonour;  and  is  brought  to  live 
in  the  spirit,  where  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  are  not  fulfil- 
led, and  so  ihe  vessel  of  honour  is  witnessed,  prepared 
for  the  master's  use;  who  while  he  lived  in  the  flesh, 
was  prepared  for  dishonour,  and  fitted  for  destruction, 
not  knowing  the  master,  nor  his  use;  though  God  with 
much  Iong-sufl*ering  endures  such  vessels,  that  he  may 
at  his  pleasure  shew  his  wrath  thereon,  who  will  not 
N  own  the  mercy  shewed  in  his  son.  And  for  this  purpose 
had  he  long  endured  Pharaoh,  suffered  his  oppression, 
till  he  was  fit  to  shew  his  power  upon  him,  who  had 
long  been  setting  himself  above  the  seed  of  God.  As 
also  he  did  the  Amorites,  till  their  iniquities  were  fulU 
and  so  do  many  at  this  day,  who  proceed  to  one  wick- 
edness after  another,  till  they  fill  up  their  measure,  that 
he  may  make  known  his  wrath  upon  them  thai  will  not 
own  his  seed. 

And  so  shall  it  be  with  all,  who  own  not  the  light  of 
Christ,  and  whose  day  of  visitation  is  past;  such  have 
a  measure  of  sin  to  fill  up  in  the  other  seed,  which  they 
shall  not  pass.  And  for  this  purpose  is  that  seed  raised 
up,  and  prepared,  that  he  may  shew  his  power  upon  him 
who  doth  not  retain  the  knowledge  of  God,  that  they  all 
might  be  damned,  who  take  pleasure  in  unrighteousness, 
serving  the  creature  more  than  the  creator,  whose  hearts 
are  filled  with  all  lasciviousness,  and  fleshly  lusts;  and 
these  are  the  vessels  of  dishonour.  But  if  any  man 
purge  himself  from  these,  he  shall  be  a  vessel  unto  hon- 
our, sanctified  and  meet  for  the  master's  use,  and  pre- 
pared unto  every  good  work,  which  they  who  live  in 
these  things  are  to  the  good  work  reprobate,  to  God,  and 
to  the  faith  of  God.  And  so  here  is  the  election  and 
reprobation,  they  that  are  after  the  spirit,  and  they  that 
are  after  the  flesh;  and  they  that  are  after  the  flesh  are 
not  the  seed,  but  they  that  are  after  the  spirit  are  aC' 
counted  for  the  seed,  and  these  have  obtained,  but  the 
rest  are  hardened. 

And  so  there  is  no  unrighteousness  with  God,  but  the 
unrighteousness  is  with  men,  who  reject  the  counsel  of 
the  Lord  against  themselves,  and  choose  to  abide  in 


(  317  ) 


tnat  which  God  hath  cursed,  and  wherein  all  that  con- 
tinue will  be  hardened  to  their  own  destruction,  notwith- 
standing ail  their  endeavours,  and  labours,  prayers  and 
teras  that  are  in  this  nature,  it's  not  accepted :  this  being 
the  seed  which  God  hath  put  the  enmity  betwixt  it  and  his 
own  seed,  it  cannot  be  well  pleasing  to  him.  For  against 
this  he  hath  placed  his  displeasure,  but  in  the  other 
mercy,  wherein  he  is  well  pleased  for  his  mercies  sake: 
so  it  is  not  of  him  that  wills,  nor  of  him  that  runs,  but  of 
j    him  that  hath  shewed  mercy,  and  this  mercy  he  set 
I    above  all  his  works;  so  he  that  stays  in  the  world  can- 
not obtain  it,  but  the  light  which  leads  out  of  the  world, 
,    leads  up  to  it;  and  whosoever  comes  unto  him,  he  will 
I    in  no  wise  castotf;  but  who  comes  not  to  him,  are  cast 
off  already,  because  they  will  not  come  to  the  light  of 
life. 

So  read  your  condemnation  you  vain  bablers,  who 
spend  your  time  witii  disputing  about  election  w  ith  your 
reprobate  minds.    When  ye  hnd  that  the  light  of  Christ 
condemns  you  for  your  lusts  and  earthly  delights,  and 
the  spirit  of  God  moves  in  you  against  your  evil  deeds; 
but  you  will  not  be  obedient  thereto**  but  you  still  har- 
den your  hearts  against  the  light,*  that  is  the  reprobate 
state,  and  that  is  the  spirit  of  God  that  strives  in  thee 
against  it,  which  would  not  thou  should'st  die  in  it;  then 
let  that  of  God  in  thy  conscience,  judge  if  thy  destruc- 
tion be  not  of  thyself,  whose  way  is  reprobate  from 
God ;  and  let  that  of  God  in  thy  own  conscience,  which 
reproves  thee  for  thy  wickedness,  be  a  witness  against 
thee  that  God  delights  not  in  thy  destruction,  but  rather 
that  thou  shouldest  repent:  and  so  hath  given  thee  his 
light  to  reprove  thee,  and  lead  thee  to  repantance,  shew- 
ing that  he  hath  not  concluded  thy  condemnation 
before  thou  wast  born:  and  let  the  same  light  which 
checks  ihee  for  thy  sin,  and  lets  thee  see  in  thy  heart, 
0  that  the  righteous  God  hath  appointed  a  day  wherein 
all  shall  receive  after  their  doings,  be  a  witness  against 
thy  vain  thoughts,  that  God  hath  not  concluded  to  quit 
thee  in  thy  wickedness;  nor  do  thy  selfish  imaginations 
make  thy  sins  any  less  in  God's  account.    And  so  the 
righteous  judge  of  all  the  earth  will  proceed  to  do  right- 


(  318  ) 


eousness:  and  therefore  to  make  wa}  for  the  same,  hath 
he  placed  his  pure  light  in  the  heart  of  every  one  that 
will  mind  it,  which  will  clearly  show  you  all,  whether 
you  be  in  the  elect  seed,  or  in  the  seed  of  evil-doers; 
and  this  light  is  that  which  being  believed,  and  follow- 
ed, doth  reveal  the  electon  and  reprobation ;  and  without 
it,  none  know  who  is  elected  or  reprobated,  nor  can 
judge  thereof:  but  if  the  light  be  minded,  it  will  reprove 
the  reprobate  and  his  way,  which  is  contrary  to  God  in 
his  own  heart,  for  his  own  works;  but^whose  work  is 
wrought  in  God,  with  the  light  is  justified. 


CONCERNING  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

There  is  the  old  man,  and  a  new  man,  which  are 
known  in  the  light,  and  their  several  births,  and  their 
several  natures,  and  kindreds  according  to  that  whereof 
they  are  born;  that  which  is  of  the  earth,  earthly, flesh- 
ly, carnal,  and  corrupt;  this  is  the  state  of  the  old  man, 
and  all  that  are  in  that  state  are  fallen  from  God,  and 
his  covenant,  and  are  in  the  curse,  and  wholly  blind  in 
heart,  as  touching  the  mysteries  of  God,  yet  in  the  sen- 
sual wisdom  of  the  flesh,  make  profession  of  God  and 
his  gospel;  but  being  heart-blind,  neither  knows  God  nor 
his  power,  but  is  alienated  from  the  life  of  God,  and  led 
captive  in  the  dark  at  his  will  who  is  the  prince  of 
darkness,  and  whatever  he  doth  is  cursed  in  this  state. 
And  in  this  state  did  Cain  sacrifice,  but  coiild  not  be  ac- 
cepted ;  for  he  was  out  of  the  state  of  well-doing,  or  well- 
being,  yet  would  have  been  accepted.  And  in  this  state 
Esau  sought  the  blessing,  and  wept  for  it,  but  could  not 
obtain  it:  and  in  this  state  came  Nicodcmus  to  Christ, 
but  could  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  in  that  state,  nor 
knew  the  new  birth,  though  he  loved  Christ,  and  believ- 
ed him  to  be  sent  of  God  ;  and  this  is  that  state  David 
speaks  of,  when  he  saith,  If  I  regard  iniquity,  God  will 
not  hear  my  prayer*    And  in  this  state  you  all  are,  who 


(  319  ) 

are  worshipped  in  your  carnal  minds,  and  sensual  wis 
dom  in  the  flesh. 

But  that  which  is  born  of  the  heavenly,  is  heavenly, 
spiritual,  eternal,  and  incorruptible,  which  is  the  state  of 
the  new  man,  which  of  God  is  begotten.of  the  divine 
nature;  and  as  is  his  nature, so  is  his  works;  and  so  his 
delights  are  spiritual,  as  he  is  spiritual ;  for  as  is  the 
man,  so  are  his  works;  and  as  is  the  tree,  so  is  its  fruit; 
and  so  he  that  is  born  of  this  seed,  is  born  of  God;  and 
he  that  is  born  of  God,  sins  not,  in  whom  that  seed  re- 
mains, and  all  who  remain  in  this  seed,  and  it  in  them, 
this  hath  the  promise  and  power  that  puts  off  the  old 
man  with  his  deeds,  lusts,  and  affections ;  and  so  the  body 
of  sin  being  put  off  through  the  body  of  Christ,  the  re- 
demption is  witnessed ;  and  as  the  creature  passeth  from 
the  old  to  the  new,  so  they  pass  from  the  death  to  the 
life;  for  the  life  is  in  the  new,  and  so  the  victory  is  re- 
ceived in  the  new,  over  sin,  the  grave,  and  hell,  which 
the  world's  birth  talks  of  in  their  fallen  nature,  but  can- 
not receive  the  power  and  victory,  whereby  to  enter  into 
that  kingdom,  nor  to  see  the  glory  of  it,  and  so  takes  up 
their  rest,  and  delights  in  visible  things,  and  so  encum- 
bers themselves  with  that,  the  end  whereof  is  destruc- 
tion; which  those  who  are  born  of  the  spirit  tread  upon, 
and  cannot  set  their  minds  upon,  nor  bow  unto,  nor  be 
conformable  to  such  vanities.  And  so  those  who  are  of 
the  heavenly  cannot  have  communion  with  the  earthly, 
they  being  contrary  minded  in  all  things.  So  that  which 
is  wisdom  to  the  one,  is  foolishness  to  the  othe»,  and  ever 
was. 

So  the  spiritual  seed  could  never  worship  thet  hea- 
then gods,  nor  can  it  bow  to  their  imaginations;  for  that 
seed  which  is  of  God,  leads  the  heart  up  to  God;  and 
that  which  is  of  the  earth,  to  earthly  things;  and  so 
those  that  are  the  children  of  God,  are  led  by  his  spirit 
of  which  they  are  born;  and  the  children  of  this  world, 
by  the  spirit  of  this  world,  are  captivated  into  the 
world's  ways,  and  fashions,  and  love  of  it,  wherein  is 
the  serpent's  seat,  and  kingdom  wherein  he  rules,  and 
wherein  his  power  is  seen  in  all  who  are  disobedient  to 
the  light  of  Christ  the  heavenly  man ;  so  being  given 


(   320  ) 


iip  (because  of  the  blindness  of  their  hearts)  to  his 
power,  which  is  always  in  the  dark,  in  such  he  brings 
forth  his  enmity  against  the  babes  of  God  born  after  the 
spirit,  children  of  the  light,  of  the  immortal  seed,  who 
bear  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  and  have  the  spirit- 
ual worship,  into  which  they  are  led  and  guided  with  the 
eternal  spirit,  of  which  they  are  born ;  which  can  no  lon- 
ger stay  in  any  form  of  worship  than  God  stays  therein; 
but  by  his  spirit  is  led  to  follow  him  into  whatever  he 
goes,  and  out  of  whatever  he  departs ;  which  those  who 
are  born  after  the  flesh,  and  see  but  the  out-side,  and 
form,  and  there  abide  when  God  is  departed,  such  are 
become  the  seat  of  satan,  where  he  sits  and  persecutes 
such  as  follow  the  spirit's  teaching,  into  its  several  min- 
istrations: and  therein  hath  the  serpent  beguiled  the 
creature,  by  getting  into  somewhat  of  the  form  once 
used  with  the  saints  (whilst  God  dwelt  therein"!  and  to 
that  adds  inventions  of  his  own,  called  decency  and  or- 
der, and  the  like,  and  with  this  hath  deceived  the  crea- 
tures, so  as  to  serve  his  ends,  to  shed  the  blood  of  their 
brethren,  under  a  pretence  of  error  and  blasphemy,  and 
denying  ordinances,  and  worships,  and  as  being  leaders 
of  dangerous  sects  and  heresies,  denying  government, 
turning  the  world  upside  down,  and  the  like.    So  that 
the  children  of  light  have  been  ever  numbered  amongst 
transgressors,  but  were  never  so,  further  than  to  trans- 
gress the  wills  of  men,  to  observe  the  will  of  God:  yet 
none  of  these  did  ever  suffer  as  well-doers  in  the  world's 
account,  but  as  not  worthy  to  live  in  the  world,  being 
born  of  a  principle  above  the  world,  which  the  natural 
man  knows  not.    So  he  that  is  born  after  the  flesh  per- 
secutes him  that  is  born  after  the  spirit,  as  it  is  at  this 
day,  thinking  they  do  God  service,  because  they  know 
not  the  father,  nor  the  son,  but  live  in  darkness,not  own- 
ing that  whereof  the  children  of  light  are  born,  so  be- 
come their  enemies. 

And  this  is  your  state  who  resist  that  measure  of  light 
that  shines  in  your  dark  hearts,  that  shews  your  evil 
deeds.  So  being  against  the  light  of  the  spirit,  you  are 
enemies  to  all  who  are  born  of  that  spirit.  And  so  far 
as  you  see  the  ground  and  root  of  your  disobedience  to 


(   321  ) 

'  :he  light  in  yourselves  that  reproves  of  sin,  so  far  )^ou 
may  see  the  ground  of  your  enmity,  and  no  farther.  And 
intil  you  join  to  that  light,  you  cannot  be  one  with  that 
seed,  but  hate  it;  for  that  whicli  is  born  of  the  will  of 
the  flesh,  is  in  enmity  to  that  which  is  born  of  the  will  of 
God ;  and  that  which  is  born  of  God,  hath  enmity  against 
the  evil  of  the  world,  and  conformity  to  it.  And  with 
the  light  are  you  judged  to  be  of  the  flesh,  who  love  the 
things  of  the  flesh,  and  mind  them,  and  who  conform  to 
this  world  are  of  it;  whatever  you  profess  to  the  con- 
trary, the  light  will  find  you  out,:  which  light  leads  above 
all  these  things,  up  to  the  father  of  lights;  which  light  is 
one  with  all  who  are  born  in  the  spirit,  but  a  witness 
against  you  who  are  born  of  the  flesh. 

So  they  that  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God,  that 
•in  your  conscience  is  witness,  the  light  which  is  the  con- 
demnation of  the  world.  But  who  is  born  of  the  spirit, 
with  such  he  is  well  pleased,  the  testimony  of  their  con- 
science bearing  them  witness  in  the  sight  of  God,  that 
they  are  his  children,  and  born  of  him,  and  their  envy, 
and  reproach,  and  suffering  from  the  world,  for  testifying 
against  the  deeds  thereof,  are  as  a  cloud  of  witn-esses. 
that  they  are  not  of  it,  for  it  loves  its  own,  and  so  the 
enmity  is  seen,  but  between  the  seeds;  that  of  the  ser- 
pent seeks  a  word,  or  a  form  without,  whereby  to  mur- 
der and  destroy  the  creature  which  God  hath  made, 
under  a  pretence  of  serving  God,  but  the  seed  of  God 
strikes  at  the  head  of  that  enmity,  and  root  of  sin.  hnl 
saves  the  work  of  God  alive 


a 


CONCERNING  THE  BAPTISM  OF  CHRI5T  FROK 
WHAT  THE  WORLD  SO  CALLS, 

In  the  world  there  be  many  sorts  and  forms  of  bap- 
tisms, but  in  Christ  there  is  but  one,  and  that  is  that  of 
the  spirit;  and  this  is  the  baptism  of  Christ,  and  all  that 
are  baptized  with  it,  are  baptized  into  his  death,  buried 
with  him  unto  the  world,  its  ways  and  worships,  loves 

41 


V    322  ) 


and  fiiendsliips,  and  to  all  th.it  is  in  them  wiiich  would 
Conform  or  bow  thereto;  and  through  this  death  is  the 
seed  of  God  raised  up  out  of  the  grave,  quickened  by 
the  same  spirit  which  raised  Jesus  from  the  dead.  And 
all  that  are  baptized  with  this  spirit  [and  the  old  man 
dead  and  buried]  they  are  raised  a  spiritual  seed  unto 
God,  holy  and  zealous  of  good  works,  being  begotten 
again  of  another  nature  from  above,  which  is  but  one: 
and  all,  as  they  are  baptized  herein,  grow  into  one  in 
God  the  father,  and  the  son  Jesus  Christ.  And  so  the 
saints  were  ail  baptized  by  one  spirit  into  one  body, out 
of  that  nature  in  which  all  differences  are,  sects  and 
opinions,  and  so  come  to  put  on  Christ,  which  is  but  one: 
for  as  many  as  are  baptized  into  Christ,  have  put  on 
Christ, and  his  love,  mind  and  affections;  and  such  know 
a  further  prize  than  contentions  about  elements  of  the 
world,  or  washings  without :  neither  do  they  stand  laying 
again  such  foundations,  as  stand  in  times,  and  seasons, 
and  customs,  and  persons  as  the  world  is  contending 
about,  who  are  in  the  many  baptisms,  and  many  fash- 
ions, some  contending  for  sprinkling  infants,  some  for 
dipping  them  ;  some  for  sprinkling  them  over  again,  and 
some  for  dipping  them  over  again,  when  they  are  grown; 
and  are  in  such  a  confusion  of  words,  and  many  out- 
ward ceremonies,  that  they  keep  themselves  disputing 
and  jangling  about  from  the  letter,  in  an  imitation  of 
John's  ministry,  calling  it  the  baptism  of  Christ,  though 
out  of  the  spirit  and  power  of  Christ,  or  John  either; 
yea,  so  far  from  the  power,  as  not  to  come  to  the  form  of 
either. 

And  this  effect  thvs  hath  taken  in  all  who  are  gone 
out  into  the  world,  in  these  imitations  and  imaginations, 
that  so  many  baptisms,  so  many  religions  and  sects;  and 
every  sect  master  and  his  followers,  set  themselves 
against  all  other  in  the  way  they  have  conceived  to  be 
right,  and  to  tliat  way  must  all  bow,  or  else  no  agree- 
ment, though  never  so  near  in  other  things;  nay,  so  zeal- 
ous they  are  for  their  likeness,  that  if  any  come  not  into 
it,  though  the  spirit  of  God  be  in  them,  and  they  them- 
selves confess  it,  yet  he  must  not  speak  in  that  creature 
in  their  churches,  without  bowing  to  their  forms  of 


(   323  ) 


water,  which  are  all  different  one  from  another;  thougii 
the  spirit  of  God  be  but  one,  and  cannot  be  limited  to 
any  visible  form  or  rudiment  of  the  world.  And  thus 
the  form  is  set  above  the  power,  and  not  the  true  form 
neither;  but  as  men  have  conceived  from  the  letter,  by 
the  counsels  of  their  own  brain ;  some  in  the  popish  coun- 
cils, some  since,  but  none  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord: 
and  therefore  they  are  scattered  in  their  imaginations 
and  baptisms.  But  they  who  are  baptized  with  the 
baptism  of  the  spirit,  are  baptized  into  one  body.  But 
all  that  are  without,  who  are  the  nearest,  are  in  the 
error,  not  knowing  the  scripture  nor  power  of  God  here- 
in ;  for  all  who  have  not  their  law%  guide,  and  rule  in  the 
spirit,  are  in  that  generation  who  have  erred,  and  lost 
ihe  saints  guide ;  and  such  are  scattered,  with  what  they 

.from  the  letter  imagine,  into  divisions. 

And  this  was  that  which  Paul  saw  getting  in  amongst 
the  churches  in  his  time,  setting  up  sects,  and  the  person 
by  whom  they  were  baptized,  puft  up  for  them,  and 
against  the  other  apostles,  some  of  Paul,  some  of 
Peter,  &c.  Wliich  Paul  seeing,  thanks  God  he  baptized 
no  more  of  them,  and  plainly  says,  Christ  sent  him  not 
to  baptize,  but  to  preach  the  gospel,  though  he  could  use 
it,  until  he  saw  them  make  an  idol  of  it,  thereby  to  make 
divisions  and  parties,  and  to  puft'  up  one  above  another, 
as  it  is  now  used  at  this  day,  yea,  far  more,  for  it  is  now 
made  the  key  to  let  in,  and  shutout  of  that  they  call  a 
church;  yea  further, some  say  none  can  be  saved  with- 
out it,  but  ail  that  have  it  are  believers,  and  shall  be 
saved:  and  so  set  it  in  the  place  of  Christ. 
But  others  are  more  moderate,  who  Imding  it  practi- 

!  sed  in  the  letter,  they  say  it  is  an  ordinance,  and  that 
they  who  practice  it  not,  deny  an  ordinance  of  Christ. — 
To  such  I  say,  all  that  is  in  the  letter,  is  not  ordained 

1  there  to  be  taken  up  by  all  that  read  it;  for  the  saints 
had  their  call  to  their  particular  ministrations  in  spirit, 
and  not  in  letter:  for  else  they  had  not  witnessed  differ- 
ences of  administrations,  but  the  same  Lord :  but  by 
the  spirit  they  were  led  from  carnal  administrations,  and 
through  them,  not  sticking  in  the  letter.  \\  hat  letter 
had  Paul  to  deny  circumcision,  which  the  letter  said 


(  324  ) 


should  be  as  a  sign  forever?  Or^  by  what  letter  did  he 
declare,  that  he  was  not  sent  to  baptize?  Did  he  deny 
an  ordinance  of  Christ  in  either  of  these,  and  divers 
more  rudiments,  which  were  commands  in  the  letter, 
W'hich  he  preached  and  practised  in  spirit,  putting  an 
end  to  the  shadows  of  things  to  come,  and  leading  to  the 
body,  as  i^  plain.  Col.  2. 

Further  1  say,  if  it  were  so,  that  all  that  was  done  in 
the  letter,  was  to  be  taken  up,  then  the  form  thereof  must 
not  be  changed,  if  the  letter  be  the  rule:  but  not  any 
that  I  know  at  this  day  are  called  of  God  into  the  form, 
as  John  did  it,  who  had  a  call  from  Heaven.  So  you 
that  have  your  certain  dwelling  places,  and  live  in  your 
worldly  estates  and  fa&liions,  are  out  of  this  call.  But 
the  apostles  baptized  into  the  name  of  Christ  Jesus  with 
the  spirit,  that  they  might  receive  the  holy  ghost.  But 
if  you  say,  some  had  it  not  in  right  form  and  manner,  nor 
by  persons  rightly  called  and  qualified,  &c.  I  say,  nor 
can  they  have  that  from  you,  who  are  not  called  out  of 
the  world,  but  live  in  its  friendship,  professions,  fashions 
and  customs,  in  which  the  saints  never  lived  after  they 
were  called  to  teach  baptizing.  So  you  do  but  add  an- 
other false  form  to  what  they  had  before,  but  still  out  of 
the  power,  nor  any  change  of  faith  or  qualification,  only 
in  that  thing  of  water  over  again,  differing  in  some  cir- 
cumstances, as  you  have  conceived  from  the  letter,  but 
still,  with  the  rest  of  professions,  in  covetousness,  pride 
and  contention,  vain  words  and  heathenish  customs,  and 
manners  of  the  nations  in  which  you  live; yon  that  can 
live  in  lawsuits  and  revenge;  you  that  swear  at  men's 
wills,  and  so  deny  the  commands  of  Christ  and  his  apos- 
tle, who  say,  above  all  things,  swear  not  at  all ;  you  that 
can  uphold  the  high  places  of  popery,  which  yet  remain 
in  the  land,  and  such  a  worship  therein,  as  Christ  never 
commanded,  with  tithes,  and  offerings,  and  all  the  rest  of 
poj)ish  inventions,  whereby  Christ  is  denied  to  be  come 
in  the  flesh,  the  everlasting  priest,  and  something  set  up 
instead  of  his  way,  like  unto  the  jewish  priesthood, 
which  is  not  in  either,  but  an  imagined  thing  from  men 
of  corrupt  minds,  &c.  lou  who  can  do  these  things 
and  much  more  of  that  nature,  rather  than  you  will  suffer 


(   325  ) 


the  loss  of  all  things,  you  are  far  unlike  those  you  would 
imitate,  or  those  they  baptized. 

And  was  baptism  in  your  manner  as  great  a  cross  to 
you  now,  as  it  was  in  the  time  of  the  persecuting  Jews, 
or  as  these  other  weightier  things  are  now,  we  should 
find  few  to  contend  for  it,  as  for  the  other  things:  for 
did  you  know  the  right  ends  of  that  ministration  of  wa- 
ter, you  would  know  that  it  was  a  forerunner  of  Christ's 
baptism  and  kingdom,  and  a  witness  to  all  men,  that  the 
Jews  ceremonies,  and  heathenish  prayers  and  worships, 
wherein  they  were  grown  into  divisions,  were  to  have 
an  end,  and  the  spiritual  ministration  and  baptism  was 
to  be  set  up  in  the  downfall  of  carnal  ordinances  and 
elements,  of  all  which  they  were  to  repent,  for  the  king- 
dom of  God  was  at  hand,  even  within  all  that  would 
believe  it;  who  did  deny  all  the  Jews  worships,  circum- 
cisions and  ordinances  without  in  the  letter,  and  preach- 
ed the  mystery  and  end  of  them  in  spirit;  but  your  bap- 
tisms, which  come  not  to  end,  of  tithes  and  offerings, 
and  Jewish  ceremonies,  and  gentiles  also,  that  baptism 
w^e  deny;  for  herein  was  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  the 
power  of  God  manifest;  for  they  suffered  for  this  all 
the  envy  that  the  Jews  and  professors  could  do  unto 
them,  who  upheld  the  same  in  the  letter,  but  denied  the 
power  and  spirit;  which  could  they  but  have  bowed  to 
their  ceremonies  outward,  the  cross  of  Christ  had  ceas* 
ed,  and  then  the  power  of  Christ  had  ceased  also.  And 
the  same  is  now  seen  of  you  at  this  day,  and  the  same 
cross;  for  could  but  those  whom  Christ  had  called  out 
now  bow  to  your  several  forms  of  baptisms  and  worships 
of  yours,  that  are  zealous  for  them,  and  bow  to  mens 
wills,  and  worship  the  persons  of  such  as  are  zealous 
for  their  pride,  and  wilfulness,  we  should  not  suffer  by 
you,  but  the  offence  of  the  cross  would  cease,  as  it  is 
ceased  to  all  who  preach  baptisms,  carnal  ordinances, 
respect  of  persons,  conformity  to  mens  wills,  and  the 
world's  customs  and  manners,  who  preach  up  pride, 
swearing,  and  imperfection  and  sin  for  term  of  life, 

I  say  to  you,  who  can  conform  to  the  ways  of  men, 
and  please  them,  the  cross  of  Christ  is  ceased,  and  so 


(   326  ) 


the  power  also;  and  therefore  are  you  ever  preaching 
against  the  world's  ways  and  wickedness,  but  never  able 
to  lead  out  of  them;  like  those  whom  mind  earthly 
things,  who  were  enemies  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  ever 
learning  and  teaching,  but  never  able  to  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth,  that  makes  free,  to  those  the 
cross  and  sufferings  are  ceased,  and  they  and  the  powers 
of  the  earth  are  one  against  such  as  take  up  the  cross, 
to  follow  Christ  in  the  way  of  the  spirit;  and  such  being 
without  in  the  letter,  are  become  spiritually  blind,  and 
so  cannot  see  that  the  appearance  of  Christ  was  ever 
cross  to  all  who  were  got  into  the  rudiments,  pleading 
for  outsides,  but  had  lost  the  power,  wherein  this  gener- 
ation exceeds,  having  lost  both  power  and  form  also. 

And  to  you  I  say  of  all  sorts  of  baptisms,  as  the  apos- 
tle saith  of  circumcision,  we  are  the  baptism.,  who  wor- 
ship God  in  the  spirit,  and  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
have  no  confidence  in  the  outward  washing,  being  that 
we  have  had  it  from  such  as  gathered  it  from  tradition, 
and  yours  is  no  more.  But  this  we  have  learned,  that 
it  is  not  baptism  which  is  outward  in  the  flesh,  but  that 
is  baptism  which  is  in  the  spirit,  and  not  in  the  letter, 
whose  praise  is  not  of  men  but  of  God;  whereby  we 
are  baptized  by  one  spirit  into  one  body;  and  as  many 
as  are  baptized  into  Christ,  are  baptized  into  his  death, 
and  have  put  him  on,  and  are  become  new  creatures. 
And  this  is  that  which  availeth  to  save  us,  not  the  wash- 
ing the  flesh,  but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  to- 
wards God  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus. 

And  this  baptism  we  witness,  that  whosoever  is  there- 
with baptized  shall  be  saved ;  but  for  other  baptisms, 
which  men  are  contending  about  from  the  letter,  we  see 
the  end  thereof  and  what  they  bring  forth.  But  which 
of  you  can  shew,  that  you  come  in  the  power  and  spir- 
it of  John's  baptism;  or  have  a  call  from  God  thereto? 
For  that  any  have  power  from  the  letter,  to  take  up  and 
impose  it  upon  others  (yea,  though  it  were  the  true 
form)  that  I  deny ;  for  that  they  who  are  not  sent  to  bap- 
tize,*^hat  the  leaving  the  outward  water,  and  going  on 
to  the  spiritual  baptism,  is  a  slighting  or  contemning  of 
an  ordinance  of  God,  that  I  deny  also:  for  this  might  as 


(  327  ) 


well  have  been  charged  against  Paul,  who  denied  it 
in  his  time,  and  preached  baptism  in  spirit  in  its  stead; 
the  same  thing  for  which  we  are  accused  (to  deny  an 
ordinance  of  Christ)  whom  he  hath  not  sent  to  dip  or 
sprinkle  in  water,  but  to  preach  the  gospel  of  light  and 
life,  and  the  spiritual  baptism  of  Chiist  Jesus,  to  the 
bringing  all  that  receive  our  testimony  into  one  body, 
by  one  spirit,  not  making  divisions  about  carnal  things, 
for  to  us  the  day  is  come,  and  the  shadows  fly  away. 

And  your  baptism  we  judge,  and  the  end  of  it,  which 
hath  not  led  you  out  of  tithes  and  offerings,  swearing, 
suing  and  contention,  out  of  the  world's  worships,  man- 
ners and  respect  of  persons,  and  to  suffer  the  loss  of  all 
to  witness  Christ:  that  baptism  we  see  to  be  out  of  the 
faith  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  not  worth  contending  about; 
for  he  that  is  in  the  world  with  it,  is  not  much  better ; 
for  that  baptism  which  preaches  not  repentance  from  all 
the  ways  of  fallen  man,  and  manners  there  set  up,  is 
none  of  John's;  and  they  who  walk  in  the  flesh,  are 
none  of  Christ's.  So  with  the  light  of  Christ,  if  you  it 
mind,  you  will  see  yourselves  out  of  the  true  baptism, 
both  as  to  the  matter,  manner  and  the  end,  who  are  cry- 
ing up  ordinances  in  the  world,  which  lead  not  out  of 
the  world;  and  when  the  world  comes  to  judgment^ 
that  baptism  will  not  save  you  from  the  world's  por- 
tion. 

But  this  I  say  to  those,  who  would  know  the  truth 
herein,  as  we  have  received,  we  do  not  despise  any  or- 
dinance of  God,  which  he  hath  called  any  of  his  peo- 
ple to  in  any  generation;  nor  dare  we  take  a  tradition 
upon  us,  which  God  hath  not  required  at  our  hands,  lest 
we  keep  people  in  that  which  God  is  departed  out  of; 
and  it  be  said  to  us, who  hath  required  it  at  your  hands? 
But  God  hath  shewed  us  a  more  excellent  way,  the 
light  is  come,  and  therein  have  we  found  Christ  Jesus, 
the  guide  of  his  people,  and  the  leader  of  ages,  even  by 
the  spirit  of  truth,  which  leads  into  all  truth,  even  into 
all  that  God  requires;  the  obedience  to  which  is  better 
than  sacrifice.  And  to  direct  people  to  this  spirit  are 
we  sent,  that  Christ  may  be  all  in  all,  who  gives  power 
in  the  creature  to  perform  what  he  leads  into;  that 


(   328  ) 


thereby  all  that  believe  in  the  light,  may  learn  him,  who 
begets  the  will  and  the  deed  also,  who  is  the  author  and 
finisher  of  their  faith,  who  look  to  him  alone,  and  to  his 
light,  that  all  may  see  their  righteousness  to  be  of  him 
alone. 

And  by  this  which  we  have  received  of  him  in  spirit, 
do  we  all  see  you,  who  read  what  the  saints  have  done 
by  call  from  God,  and  from  that  set  yourselves  to  do 
the  like,  to  be  in  the  imitation,  and  self-righteousness, 
and  will-worship  both  in  this,  and  all  other  things,  into 
which  you  are  not  led  by  the  Lord,  and  by  a  call  from 
him:  for  this  I  say,  that  the  father  hath  given  his  son  for 
a  leader  and  guide  to  all  ages,  and  into  and  out  of  what 
forms  he  pleases,  in  his  way  and  time  in  every  genera- 
tion. 

And  therefore  it  is,  that  all  who  know  his  will  herein, 
cannot  endure  that  any  visible  thing  should  be  set  up,  to 
limit  his  leading  in  spirit,  or  his  people  from  following  in 
spirit.  So  no  form  we  deny,  into  which  Christ  leads  in 
spirit;  But  all  forms  we  deny,  that  are  imposed  by  men 
to  keep  people  from  following  the  spirit;  for  those  only 
are  the  children  of  God,  who  are  led  by  the  spirit  of 
God,  to  whom  they,  who  are  led  by  the  letter,  were  ever 
enemies:  for  it  is  the  spiritual  ministration  that  gives 
the  knowledge  of  God,  and  his  glory  and  power,  and 
not  the  literal ;  for  he  that  is  born  after  the  flesh,  hath 
his  way  in  the  visibles,  but  he  that  is  born  after  the  spir- 
it, bath  his  food  the  world  knows  not  of,  and  therefore 
becomes  his  enemy,  And  in  that  state  you  are,  who 
s^t  up  the  shadow  to  oppose  the  body,  which  is  the  end 
of  the  shadow;  and  take  the  letter  to  oppose  the  spirit, 
which  is  given  to  declare  the  sufficiency  of  the  spirit's 
teaching  alone;  and  so  pervert  the  scriptures  out  of 
their  place  and  end,  which  are  set  to  testify  of  Christ,  the 
life  and  end,  to  set  them  in  the  place  of  Christ,  and 
think  to  have  life  in  them. 

And  this  is  the  error  of  the  wicked,  who  are  gone 
into  the  world,  sensual,  not  having  the  spirit.  And  in 
this  state,  wherein  the  spirit  leads  not,  both  scriptures 
and  ordinances,  and  all  the  other  gifts  of  God,  are  abu- 
sed, wrested  out  of  their  places,  and  made  unprofitable. 


(  329  ) 


And  therefore  you  that  take  up  from  the  letter,  cannot 

rino  forth  their  fruits,  who  were  spiritually  called  into 
iheir  several  ministrations;  therefore  your  ordinances 
are  left  to  you  desolate,  you  and  they  in  the  world  to- 
gether, out  of  which  God  is  leading  his  people  in  spirit, 
to  get  himself  a  name,  in  such  a  way  as  is  foolishness 
to  your  wisdom,  yet  the  hidden  wisdom  of  God  to  the 

hildren  of  light,  who  have  believed  therein. 
And  you  that  use  great  swelling  words,  crying,  that 
we  deny  an  ordinance  of  God  ;  to  you  I  say,  to  neglect 
that  which  is  altered  from  what  God  ordained,  both  in 

all,  manner  and  end ,  is  no  neglecting  an  ordinance 
A  God.  1.  God  never  called  any  to  teach,  but  first  he 
'tailed  them  out  of  the  world,  and  their  habitations 
there,  to  follow  Christ,  as  into  the  wilderness,  which 
were  prophets  and  apostles  called  immediately.  2.  And 
they  did  not  baptize  believers  over  again  with  water, 
who  had  had  it,  because  they  had  it  not  before  in  their 
fashion;  but  they  went  to  disciple  unbelievers;  neither 
did  they  lay  it  upon  ail,  as  of  absolute  necessity,  but 
could  forbear  in  case  it  was  idolized.  3.  Their  minis- 
try and  end  was  to  gather  all  into  one,  out  of  all  the 
S'lmdows  and  ceremonies,  and  fashions  of  the  world,  to 
follow  Christ  alone,  as  he  walked,  bearing  his  cross  dai- 
ly, suffering  the  spoiling  of  their  goods  joyfully,  and 
their  lives  unto  death,  rather  than  to  conform  to  any 
but  him  alone,  for  whose  sake  they  were  hated  of  all 
men;  which  ministry  and  end,  how  your  baptisms  an- 
swer, let  your  pride  and  pleasures,  and  conformit}  to 
the  world,  in  their  fashions,  manners  and  worship,  and 
upholding  thereof;  at  your  law-suits,  and  contentions 
about  carnal  things  manifest,  and  your  rents  and  divi- 
sions about  outward  forms  of  baptisms  and  worships, 
and  upholding  that  in  others  which  you  know  is  false, 
by  tithes  and  offerings,  whereby  Christ  is  denied,  and 
the  popish  inventions  held  up,  with  much  such  like;  I 
say,  let  these  things  judge  you  before  all  men,  and  the 
light  in  your  consciences  answer  thereto,  until  the  Lord 
appear  to  judge  your  unfaithfulness  herein-. 

42 


(   330  ) 


CONCERNING  THE  LORD'S  SLPrEK„ 

This  is  the  thing  that  the  world's  professors  are  con- 
ter^ding  about;  and  indeed,  is  a  great  niystery  to  them 
who  have  not  yet  seen  the  Lord,  for  bringing  them  into 
one  body  and  biood,  mind  and  heart,  and  soul  and 
spirit:  but  since  the  mystery  of  iniquity  began  to  work, 
the  world's  teachers  and  professors  having  lost  their 
indwelling  in  the  body  of  Christ,  are  run  out  into  the 
imaginations,  and  are  so  far  from  the  life  of  this,  as  that 
they  have  lost  the  form,  and  the  first  institution  of  the 
shadows,  as  it  was  by  Christ  performed,  and  therefore 
are  so  far  from  being  made  one  in  the  blood  of  Christ, 
that  they  are  shedding  one  anothers  blood  about  the 
form,  which  they  are  all  out  of  (and  have  lost  it,  and 
the  power  also)  as  held  forth  by  Christ,  as  they  sate  at 
meat  and  did  eat  the  passover,  and  drink  of  the  cup  he 
gave  them;  and  so  often  as  they  did  eat  and  drink  there- 
of, they  were  to  do  it  in  remembrance  of  him,  shewing 
his  death  till  he  came. 

And  this  mystery  was  that  the  Apostles  received  of 
the  Lord,  in  the  purity  of  the  church,  before  they  ran 
into  confusion,  they  who  did  continue  steadfastly  in  the 
Apostles  doctrine  and  fellowship,  breaking  bread  and 
prayer,  daily  breaking  bread  from  house  to  house,  did 
eat  their  meat  with  gladness  and  singleness  of  heart,  in 
the  fear  and  favor  of  God.  And  this  was  to  be  done  a  tall 
seasons,  when  they  eat  and  drank;  in  their  eating  and 
drinking  they  were  to  do  it  to  the  Lord,  and  to  have 
communion  with  his  body,  and  his  blood ;  and  for  that 
end  were  to  keep  themselves  pure  from  all  pollution; 
yea,  when  they  were  to  eat  with  Gentiles,  they  were 
to  partake  of  the  table  of  the  Lord  as  is  plain,  1  Cor.x. 
and  therefore  they  were  to  keep  their  consciences  pure 
from  things  offered  to  Idols;  for  they  could  not  partake 
of  the  table  of  the  Lord,  and  eat  that  which  was  sacri- 
ficed to  devils;  though, in  some  cases,  they  might  go 
to  feast  among  unbelievers;  yet  whether  they  eat  or 
drank,  they  were  to  do  it  to  the  Lord,  as  at  his  table, 


(  331  ) 


ciiut  not  at  the  tabic  of  Gentiles,  whose  feasting  is  in  the 
lust,  and  so  their  meat  they  sacrifice  to  devils,  and  eat 
not  to  God;  and  so  do  all  who  eat  to  the  lust:  to  keep 
from  which,  there  is  no  other  thing  can,  but  to  eat  in 
remembrance  of  Christ's  death  till  he  come;  who, when 
he  is  come,  he  takes  the  ordering  and  government  of 
the  •reature  himself  upon  his  shoulders,  and  so  ever 
keeps  them  out  of  the  lust  in  all  they  do. 

And  so  is  the  creation  restored  and  reconciled  to  God 
m  Christ  Jesus  at  his  appearing.  The  apostle  exhor- 
ted that  both  in  their  eating  and  drinking,  &c.  they 
should  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  warned  of  the 
contrary,  as  Jude,  who  saw  some  crept  in  among  the 
church,  who  did  turn  the  grace  of  God  into  lascivious- 
ness,  walking  after  their  own  hearts'  lusts,  whereby  they 
defile  the  flesh,  living  in  sensuality,  not  having  the  spirit 
to  order  them,  they  fed  themselves  without  fear,  and 
these  were  spots  in  their  feasts;  who  being  once  enlight- 
ened, and  again  giving  way  to  the  lusts  and  excess,  they 
became  twice  dead,  plucked  up  by  the  roots,  yet  had 
they  great  swelling  words. 

And  ©f  such  like,  are  many  examples  at  this  day,  who 
iiave  had  something  quickened  in  them  to  hope  for  the 
appearance  of  the  Lord;  but  fulness  and  excess  having 
overtaken  them,  for  want  of  eating  always  in  fear,  they 
are  become  dead  again  to  any  hope  of  his  appearance 
at  the  present;  and  have  put  his  coming  afar  off  into 
another  world,  yet  are  contending  about  the  shadows 
or  figures  of  his  coming,  as  they  have  imagined:  but 
are  become  reprobate  from  the  faith,  as  to  his  appear- 
ance, and  plucked  up  by  the  roots. 

But  the  Lord  Jesus  commanded  his  disciples,  to  shew 
forth  his  death  till  he  come;  and  they  knowing  this 
from  the  Lord,  gave  example  and  warning  to  those  who 
were  convinced,  that  in  all  fear  and  moderation,  they 
might  wait  for  his  appearance ;  who  at  his  coming  would 
bring  to  light  the  hidden  things,  and  manifest  the  coun- 
sels of  the  heart,  and  all  its  deceits,  and  become  the 
worker  in  them;  and  then  they  should  have  praise  of 
God;  and  these  things  were  transferred  to  the  apostles 
in  a  figure:  so  they  exhorted  the  believers,  to  whom  the 


t  332  ) 


Lord  was  at  hand,  to  let  their  moderation  he  knowt? 
to  all  men,  the  Lord  is  at  hand;  which  they  knew,  all 
who  get  up  into  the  liberty  of  the  flesh,  riotinfjj  and  ex- 
cess, will  put  afar  off,  as  it  is  at  tl)is  day  with  many, 
who  are  in  observations  outward,  who  have  a  day  to  go 
into  the  idols  temple,  and  there  to  eat  bread,  and  drink 
wine  in  a  self-solemnity,  once  a  month,  or  three  tlHies  a 
year,  or  as  they  imagine,  some  affirming  the  body  and 
blood  of  Christ  to  be  in  the  creature  after  consecration 
[as  they  call  it]  some  saying:  nay,  but  it  is  spiritual  after 
consecration:  others  saying,  it  is  still  carnal,  and  not 
changed, because  of  words;  and  one  imagines  the  body 
of  Christ  real  in  it,  another,  not  real,  but  by  faith,  [as 
they  say:]  but,  in  this  they  all  agree,  that  they  return 
back  into  the  pleasures  of  the  flesh,  and  fashions  of 
the  world,  there  to  eat  and  drink  the  rest  of  God's  crea- 
tures, to  spend  on  their  lusts;  and  it  will  be  so  with 
such  as  do  not  discern  his  body  in  their  eating,  who  is 
the  life  and  the  upholder  of  all  creatures,  and  filleth  all 
things  in  heaven  and  in  earth;  which  they  who  stick 
in  observations  never  knew;  and  w^ith  such  he  is  always 
to  come,  or  past. 

But  the  carnal  eye,  which  sticks  in  the  visibles  can 
never  see  him  present  to  order  the  creation  out  of  the 
lust,  and  therefore  it  is  that  all  the  creatures  of  God  are 
turned  to  feed  the  lust,  in  that  state,  as  is  seen  in  all 
the  world's  profession,  and  therefore  accursed:  the 
more  riches,  the  more  pride,  the  more  fulness,  the  more 
lust,  in  that  state  where  Christ  is  not  discerned  present. 
And  so  tiieir  eating  is  not  the  supper  of  the  Lord,  nor 
doth  he  sup  with  them  in  the  new,-  but  in  the  old  lustful 
spirit  such  become  the  table  of  the  devil,  where  the 
cjeatures  are  sacrificed  to  his  use;  so  he  keeps  then\  in 
observation  of  a  day  from  the  letter,  which  they  think 
is  worship,  but  he  bears  rule  in  their  whole  lives  by  his 
spirit;  and  so  much  of  the  creation  as  is  in  their  hands,, 
is  used  at  his  will. 

And  hence  is  all  lasciviousness,  wantonness,  strife, 
fighting,  suits,  and  violence,  sports,  and  vanities,  too 
many  here  to  mention,  all  which  the  creation  is  spent 
upon,  (given  not  to  that  end)  for  which  they  shall  ac- 


(  333  ) 


count,  who  are  in  that  state,  when  shall  be  required  hw 
corn,  and  his  wine,  his  wool  and  his  flax,  which  he  hath 
made  for  his  use,  and  to  be  ordered  by  his  son,  who  is 
the  fulness  and  virtue  of  every  creature,  which  all  / 
know  who  come  to  his  supper,  where  the  father  and  the  j 
son  are  come  in,  and  sup  with  the  creature,  which  afi  ! 
the  imitators  and  observers  of  times  are  ignorant  of, 
whose  contention  is  about  outsides,  and  shadows. 

And  for  the  sake  of  such  who  are  lost  in  this  thing, 
and  troubled  in  mind  concerning  it,  what  I  have  receiv- 
ed of  the  Lord,  that  I  shall  declare  unto  you,  which  all  \ 
shall  witness  to,  who  come  to  partake  thereof,  as  the  j 
truth  is  in  Christ  Jesus.    If  you  intend  to  sup  with  the  • 
Lord,  or  shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come,  let  youi 
eating,  and  drinking,  so  oft  as  you  do  it,  be  in  remem- 
brance of  him;  and  in  his  fear,  that  a  death  you  may 
witness  to  the  lust  and  excess,  which  is  that  which 
slew  him  from  the  foundation  of  the  world ;  and  is  the 
great  enmity  of  his  appearance ;  and  that  by  which  he  is 
crucified  spiritually  in  the  great  city  which  is  called 
Sodom  and  Egypt. 

For  all  you  that  live  in  pleasure  on  the  earth,  and 
are  wanton;  you  that  nourish  your  hearts,  as  in  the  day 
of  slaughter,  you  have  condemned  and  killed  the  just, 
and  he  doth  not  resist  you ;  and  you  must  know  a  death 
to  this,  before  you  can  sup  with  the  Lord,  or  he  with  you : 
but  if  you  eat  in  remembrance  of  him,  and  so  come  to 
die  to  that  which  slew  him,  then  do  you  shew  the  Lord's 
death  till  he  come ;  and  when  he  comes,  he  shall  not  find 
you  eating  and  drinking  with  the  drunken,  nor  beating 
your  fellow  servants. 

And  this  is  known  from  the  Lord  in  the  eternal  light, 
to  be  the  true  end  of  the  supper  of  the  Lord,  that  at  his 
coming  they  may  be  found  fit  to  receive  him ;  which    .   /  ^ 
they  who  feed  without  fear  to  deny,  and  crucify  afresh      /  A 
to  themselves.  ^ 

And  therefore  in  another  place,  speaking  of  his  com- 
ing, he  warns  them  to  take  heed,  lest  at  any  time  in  eat- 
ing, their  hearts  be  over-charged  with  surfeiting,  and 
drunkenness,  and  cares  of  this  life,  and  so  that  day  come 
upon  them  unawares,  and  so  become  a  snare  unto  them ; 


(   334  ) 


tor  so  it  IS  to  all  who  are  in  that  state,  when  he  should 
appear  unto  them,  and  they  cannot  receive  the  day  of 
his  visitation,  whose  hearts  are  gone  out  into  these  car- 
nal things. 

And  this  he  knew,  that  till  that  man  be  born,  which 
lives  not  by  bread  alone,  that  man  that  lives  only  upon 
the  creatures  is  soon  drawn  into  them,  and  so  to  forget 
his  coming,  who  is  the  maker  thereof,  who  is  the  sancti- 
fier  thereof:  and  so  orders  the  outward  food  as  unto  God. 
and  not  to  carnal  things,  the  mind  grows  threby,  and  so 
to  the  pure  all  things  are  pure;  but  where  the  pure  is 
not,  all  things  are  defiled,  when  they  are  not  sanctified 
by  the  word  and  prayer;  and  therefore  are  to  be  re- 
ceived in  fear;  and  therein  remembring  his  death  till  he 
come,  who  is  the  word  and  power,  which  at  his  coming 
restores  all  things  to  God,  which  till  then  are  subject  to 
be  used  to  the  lust,  which  was  the  thing  Christ  in  tender 
love  to  his  disciples,  before  his  departure,  warned  them 
against,  knowing  that  their  naturB  would  draw  to  the 
earthward,  not  yet  being  fully  changed,  nor  having 
Christ  born  in  them  to  keep  them,  and  for  all  this  his 
warning  and  leaving  this  as  a  sign  how  soon  they  had 
forgot  the  promise  of  his  coming,  till  he  renewed  the 
remembrance  of  it,  making  himself  known  in  breaking 
of  bread  again  after  his  resurrection;  and  so  charging 
them  to  wait  for  his  coming  at  Jerusalem,  the  promise  of 
the  father,  of  which  he  had  told  them  before  his  death; 
which  they  were  to  show  so  oft  as  they  brake  bread  till 
he  came ;  and  after  he  was  come  to  the  apostles,  they 
condescended  for  their  sakes,  who  were  weak  in  the 
faith,  to  whom  he  was  not  yet  appeared;  and  so  those 
did  break  bread  from  house  to  house,  and  eat  with  sin- 
gleness of  heart  to  Christ,  and  not  to  the  lust ;  which  was 
another  thing  than  the  world's  observation  of  bread  and 
wine,  or  wafers  in  the  idols  temple,  where  the  Lord's 
death  is  not  showed  till  he  come;  where  some  are  hun- 
gry, and  some  are  drunken;  where  the  covetous,  the 
proud,  the  liars,  swearers,  whoremongers,  fighters,  scorn- 
ers,  and  all  evil  workers  meet,  to  eat  bread  and  wine  so 
often  a  year,  and  return  into  the  corrupt  lusts  again; 
which  is  not  to  eat  the  Lord's  body,  nor  his  supper,  nor 
at  his  table,  but  the  table  of  devils. 


C   335  ) 


And  this  you  shall  all  know,  that  you  who  do  this  for 
an  hour,  or  a  day,  and  then  feed  without  fear,  not  shew- 
ing the  Lord's  death  till  he  come,  you  are  they  who  eat 
judgment  to  yourselves  herein :  and  all  your  will  worship 
will  not  be  found  at  that  day  to  be  an  ordinance  of 
Christ,  as  you  have  limited  it;  nor  can  you  know  his 
coming  to  your  salvation.  And  of  this  sort  are  you  who 
now  say,  the  Lord  delays  his  coming,  and  have  put  it 
unto  another  generation;  if  not,  till  doosmday,  as  you 
call  it;  and  so  have  settled  yourselves  in  your  worldly 
pleasures,  and  high  notions,  with  the  drunken  spirit  eat- 
ing and  drinking,  and  beating  your  fellow  servants,  mock- 
ing, whipping  and  imprisoning  them  at  your  will  and 
pleasure,  having  forgot  his  coming;  which  if  you  did  re- 
member to  show  forth  his  death  so  often  as  you  eat  and 
drink  till  he  come,  you  should  not  have  been  found  in 
blindness  and  opposition  to  his  coming,  (as  to  yourselves) 
nor  persecuting  him  now  who  is  come  in  others;  nor 
should  your  table  have  been  made  a  snare  unto  you, 
that  that  day  should  overtake  you  unawares,  as  it  is 
seen  at  this  day,  upon  whom  the  words  of  Christ  are  to 
be  fulfilled. 


CONCERNING  REDEMPTION. 

This  is  that  which  many  boast  on,  and  glory  in,  who 
never  knew  what  it  is  to  be  redeemed  farther  than  in 
words,  and  imagination  thereof;  nay,  there  are  few  who 
are  come  so  far  as  to  know  what  it  is  to  want  redemption, 
and  what  the  promise  is  to,  and  wherein  only  it  is  seen 
and  received,  for  there  is  a  seed  in  which  the  promise  of 
redemption  to  the  soul  is,  but  thou  who  takest  delight  in 
sin,  and  pleadest  for  it,  are  not  in  that  seed. 

Thou  that  canst  take  pleasure  in  the  flesh,  and  fash- 
ion thyself  thereto,  art  of  another  seed,  who  art  at  liberty 
in  the  world,  to  conform  thyself  thereto  in  thy  own  will 
and  way,  and  time,  who  art  at  liberty  to  do  what  thou 
list,  and  wheR  thou  list,  and  as  thou  list:  thou  seest  no 


(  33b  ) 


tt^ed  of  redeii]ption  who  art  at  ease  in  sin,  nor  physi- 
cian who  are  not  sick;  and  so  a  talk  of  redemption  lit- 
'tle  changes  thy  condition  in  that  state,  who  art  of  this 
world,  and  obtains  that  thou  lovest,  and  therein  takest 
pleasure ;  building  a  seat,  and  blessing  thyself  therein, 
laying  up  thy  treasure  here  below;  he  that  redeems  Is- 
rael's seed  is  no  glad  tidings  to  thee,  who  speaks  woe  to 
all  in  that  state. 

But  if  thou  findest  something  in  thee,  that  in  all  these 
worldly  delights  cries  vanity,  and  emptiness,  and  can 
find  no  satisfaction  therein,  nor  can  conform  to  this 
world,  nor  take  pleasure  in  wickedness,  that  cannot 
plead  for  sin,  but  cries  woe  to  thee  because  of  thy  wick- 
edness, and  mourns  because  of  the  abominations  of  thy 
times,  wherein  thou  hast  followed  the  world's  customs, 
and  foolish  fashions; if  thou  find  that  in  thee,  that  cannot 
take  delight  in  decking  the  outside  with  pride,  nor  wor- 
ship the  creature,  nor  bow  to  any  but  God  alone,  but 
condemns  thee  if  thou  do  so:  if  thou  find  that  which 
breathes  in  thee  towards  God  for  life  and  strength 
against  all  these  vanities,  and  all  other  evils,  that  which 
would  have  thee  follow  God  out  of  all  the  world;  I  say. 
if  such  aseed^thou  find  in  thee,  though  it  be  the  least  ot 
all  seeds  in  thee,  yet  that  is  the  seed  of  the  kingdom,  to 
\vhi(ih  the  promise  is;  and  no  farther  than  that  princi- 
ple is  raised  to  reign  in  th'^e  above  all  that  is  contrary 
to  it,  no  further  ar|  thou  redeemed  by  Christ  Jesus:  for 
that's  the^  plant  of  God's  renown,  the  lilly  among  the 
thorns ;  which  v/ith  the  cares  of  this  world,  and  the  de- 
ceitfulness  of  riches,  and  pleasures  is  choaked,  that  it 
may  not  bring  forth  to  God,  who  hath  placed  it  in  thoc 
for  himself,  that  therein  he  might  teach  thee  to  profit, 
and  from  thence  thou  mightest  receive  wisdom  and 
strength,  yea,  all  that  is  needful  for  thee  in  thy  measure 
to  which  thou  art  called. 

And  this  lying  oppressed  and  ^vailed  under  thy  lusts 
and  pleasures,  is  the  cause  thou  knowest  not  God  the 
father,  nor  the  son,  for  to  this  birth  he  is  revealed,' though 

*  The  seed  is  mentioned  in  a  two  fold  sense;  the  seed  Christ  who  redeems, 
and  the  seed  of  Abraham,  i.  e.  believers,  whom  he  redeems.  The  chil- 
dren of  the  promise,  are  counted  for  the  seed. 


(   ^37  ) 


thou  talkest  of  redemption,  yet  thou  knowest  not  God, 
nor  his  power,  nor  Jife,  nor  presence  with  thee  to  guide 
thee  out  of  the  evil,  and  to  give  thee  victory  over  the 
prince  of  this  world,  and  his  dominion;  but  art  captiva- 
ted at  his  will,  to  do  his  works,  and  so  under  condemna- 
tion that  he  is  in;  and  the  talk  of  redemption  doth  not 
deliver  thee  from  his  temptation^ ;  but  into  it  thou  fall- 
est,  and  committest  the  sin  that  is  of  his  moving,  and  so 
art  of  the  devil ;  but  that  which  is  of  God  suffers  for 
thee;  death  and  captivity,  and  bonds  of  iniquity  being 
over  th(;e;  and  so  thou  canst  not  have  power,  nor  the 
promise,  nor  salvation,  which  in  the  seed  is  placed, 
which  is  not  of  thee,  nor  with  thee,  while  thou  art 
in  these  delights,  but  against  thee,  and  thou  sinning 
against  it;  and  so  art  not  of  the  promised  seed,  but  an 
enemy  to  it,  and  by  thy  lusts  and  pleasures,  and  self-will, 
art  in  Pharaoh's  state,  and  nature,  resisting  the  seed  of 
God,  and  art  in  the  house  of  bondage,  and  dost  not  pity 
nor  regard  the  cries  thereof,  which  cries  against  thy 
pride  and  excess,  envy  and  wrath,  and  all  thy  wicked- 
ness, by  which  thou  oppresseth  the  seed  of  God  in  thee, 
(in  that  state  where  death  reigns)  for  which  the  wrath 
of  God  comes  upon  the  world  of  iniquity ;  who  are  ene- 
mies to  that  seed  which  is  of  the  covenant;  and  are  not 
joined  to  it,  but  to  the  contrary,  in  the  contrary  nature, 
to  which  all  who  are  joined  in  the  light,  come  to  par- 
take of  God's  love,  and  life  therein  by  Jesus  Christ; 
who  took  upon  him  that  seed  after  the  flesh,  not  the 
seed  of  the  evil  one,  nor  the  nature  of  angels,  but  the 
seed  of  Abraham,  to  whom  the  promise  is. 

And  all  who  know  this,  quickened  and  raised  by  the 
spirit  of  Jesus,  know  the  plant  of  God's  renown,  of  God's 
own  planting,  in  which  the  fruit  is  found ;  and  such  know 
where  to  wait  for  a  supply  of  all  wants,  and  counsel  in 
all  straits;  where  the  law  is  received  that  is  spiritual, 
and  the  righteousness  of  faith,  revealed  from  faith  to 
faith;  from  which  God's  righteousness  is  manifest  in  the 
world,  not  of  self,  nor  self-works,  nor  of  that  corrupt 
seed,  but  of  the  heritage  of  faith,  a  free  gift. 

And  in  this  seed  men  are  redeemed,  and  the  saints 
have  fellowship  with  the  father,  and  the  son  in  the  light 

43 


(  338  ) 


aud  al]  the  gifts  and  graces,  whereby  that  creature  be- 
comes free  from  the  law  of  sin,  that  they  may  be  marri- 
ed to  Christ,  in  him  to  serve  the  living  God,  set  free 
from  the  service  of  sin  and  satan:  and  this  is  their  free- 
dom, even  their  righteousness,  which  is  everlasting,  as 
the  soul  is  redeemed  out  of  the  pit  of  corruption;  for 
where  this  seed  is  raised  up,  there  the  creature  receives 
from  God  of  his  fulness;  but  where  the  soul  is  in  the 
grave,  the  curse  is  betwixt,  upon  him  where  the  sin  is, 
and  the  trespasses,  by  which  it  is  slain:  but  where  this 
is  raised,  and  the  immortal  birth  born,  the  creature  is 
blessed  of  God  for  the  seed's  sake,  throughout  all  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  for  in  this  is  God  worshipped,  but 
where  death  reigns,  the  sacrifice  is  an  abomination,  for 
they  that  are  in  the  grave  cannot  praise  God;  it's  the 
living  that  he  accepts,  and  not  the  dead. 

And  this  I  say  to  all  you  who  find  such  a  thing  as  is 
holy,  thus  moving  in  you  against  your  lusts  and  worldly 
pleasures :  take  heed,  and  do  not  deceive  yourselves  with 
a  talk  of  redemption,  while  this  is  in  prison,  and  not 
brought  above  all  your  lusts;  but  in  the  light  of  Christ, 
wait,  which  lets  you  see  this,  that  you  may  see  his  pow- 
er in  spirit  to  raise  this  to  reign  above  all  in  you  that  is 
contrary,  and  so  shall  you  reign  with  it  over  all  the 
world,  and  its  wicked  ways;  but  if  you  have  found  this 
breathing  towards  God,  and  you  have  no  regard  thereto, 
take  heed,  lest  he  that  gave  this  for  thy  salvation,  take 
it  away  from  thee  in  wrath,  and  leave  thee  to  thy  lusts 
without  reproof;  for  his  spirit  will  not  always  strive  with 
you,  and  then  it  had  been  good  you  had  not  been  born. 

And  this  hath  befallen  many  after  many  reproofs  and 
motions  to  good,  who  now  are  left  to  fill  up  their  meas- 
ure with  greediness;  who  now  glory  in  their  shame,  and 
boast  of  their  filthiness;  and  this  day  is  coming  upon 
many  more,  who  now  little  mind  the  measure  of  God's 
grace  moving  in  them,  but  live  in  the  world's  lust,  sin- 
ning against  their  conscience  for  self  ends,  and  yet 
please  themselves  with  a  talk  of  redemption:  as  the 
greatest  profession  now  set  up  by  many,  is  to  make  the 
redemption  of  Christ  a  cover  for  all  licentiousness,  and 
fleshly  liberty,  and  say  they  are  to  that  end  redeemed; 


(  3a9  ) 


which  redemption  the  son  of  God  needed  not  to  come 
from  Heaven  to  purchase  for  them,  man  being  thither 
fallen,  by  nature  subject  thereto;  but  all  who  know  the 
redemption  of  Christ,  by  his  precious  blood,  are  redeem- 
ed from  the  vain  conversation  received  by  tradition,  into 
the  holy  conversation  of  him  that  hath  called  them  to 
be  holy,  as  he  is  holy,  and  not  vain,  as  the  world  is  vain. 
And  this  is  the  true  redemption  to  ail  that  know  it, 
whereby  Christ  hath  received  redemption  for  us,  who  I 
were  transgressors,  even  to  purge  the  conscience  from  I 
dead  works  to  serve  the  living  God.    And  for  this  end  | 
he  gave  himself  for  us,  to  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  ! 
and  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people  zealous  of  ! 
good  works:  who  hath  redeemed  us  to  God  by  his  blood, 
out  of  kindreds,  tongues,  and  sinful  nations,  from  amongst 
men,  to  follow  the  lamb,  and  not  the  worldly  lust.  And 
all  whose  redemption  leads  not  out  of  this  world,  will 
fail  you,  when  you  look  for  another,  and  this  all  that  are 
redeemed  know;  but  who  live  in  the  lust  are  blinded 
with  the  God  thereof,  as  the  light  in  every  conscience 
shall  testify,  that  he  that  lives  to  the  flesh  is  not  re- 
deemed. 

So  with  the  light  of  Christ  which  lets  you  see  your 
transgressions,  search  your  hearts,  that  you  may  see  if 
the  just  principle  that  moves  to  righteousness  be  not  op- 
pressed, and  burthened  by  the  seed  of  the  evil  doer,  and 
that  nature  which  loveth  carnal  delights;  and  so  you  be 
led  captive  to  do  the  works  of  satan ;  then  what  redemp- 
tion have  you  farther  than  a  talk?  Like  a  man  that 
hath  a  conceit  of  eating,  but  still  hungry:  so  you  conceit 
freedom,  but  still  serve  sin ;  and  while  servants  of  sin, 
you  are  free  from  righteousness;  as  he  that  is  a  servant 
of  righteousness  is  free  from  sin;  for  it  is  an  easy  thing 
to  conceit  righteousness  and  redemption;  but  he  that 
doth  righteousness  is  righteous,  even  as  he  is  righteous; 
but  this  is  not  seen,  while  the  seed  of  God  is  oppressed, 
and  not  regarded. 


MO  j 


.OIVCLliNirfG  JUSTIFICATION,  SANCTIFICATION,  AND  MORTIFICATION 

The  wisdom  of  men  in  the  fall  finding  these  several 
words  in  scripture,  hath  in  their  imaginations  run  them 
ijato  divisions,  and  separated  that  which  is  in  one,  and 
cannot  be  divided  in  the  profession;  for  it  is  ane  spirit 
that  worketh  all  these,  where  he  is  present,  according 
to  the  measure  received.  And  this  is  the  just  one,  who 
by  faith  lives  in  the  creature,  and  the  creature  in  him, 
and  so  becomes  the  justifier  and  sanctifier  of  all  that 
believe,  and  the  mortifier  of  that  nature  which  is  out  of 
the  faith ;  and  one  of  these  is  not  alone  without  the  rest. 
For  that  which  sanctifies,  that  mortifies,  and  the  same 
justifies;  and  all  that  know  what  it  is  to  have  these  m 
the  life,  know  this. 

1  know  there  are  a  people  who  have  a  d^ire  to  Heav- 
en more  than  to  holiness;  and  they,  lest  they  should 
spoil  their  carnal  delights,  have  in  their  brain-imagina- 
tion conceited  a  justification  without  sanctification,  or 
mortification ;  wresting  those  scriptures  which  condemn 
the  works  of  the  law,  and  therewith  they  would  exclude 
the  righteousness  of  faith  also. 

And  because  the  scripture  saith,  God  justifies  or  par- 
dons the  ungodly  through  faith,  therefore  they  conclude 
themselves  justified  in  their  ungodliness  by  a  fancy 
which  they  call  faith,  but  are  without  faith  in  Christ; 
for  that  which  lays  not  hold  upon  God's  righteousness, 
is  not  the  faith  of  Christ,  laut  a  dead  thing;  for  so  far  as 
any  have  the  faith  of  Christ,  so  far  it  reveals  God's 
righteousness  without  the  law,  from  faith  to  faith;  by 
which  righteousness  of  God,  the  just  live,  and  the  unjust 
die;  and  so  justified,  as  they  are  sanctified,  and  mortifi- 
ed, and  no  further;  even  as  the  righteousness  of  God 
without  the  law  is  manifest,  being  witnessed  by  the  law, 
and  the  prophets,  even  the  righteousness  of  God,  which 
is  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ  unto  all,  and  upon  all  that 
believe,  without  respect  of  persons. 

No  righteousness,  no  faith  in  Christ;  but  where  God's 
righteousness  is  unto  all,  and  upon  all,  there  the  belief 


(  341  ) 


for  our  justification:  but  such  who  would  share  in  his 
justification,  but  not  have  fellowship  in  his  sufferings  and 
obedience,  are  such  as  are  justified  in  conceit,  but  sin 
reigns,  and  the  unjust  lives  and  acts  in  them,  and  this 
is  self  that  justifies  self,  but  is  not  just  before  God,  man 
being  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins ;  but  God  justifies  the 
living,  and  not  the  dead. 

Therefore  the  saints  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things, 
counting  them  as  dross  and  dung,  that  they  might  know 
him,  and  the  power  of  his  resurrection,  and  the  fellow- 
ship of  his  sufferings,  being  made  conformable  to  his 
death:  these  through  death  came  to  the  power  and  fel- 
lowship of  his  resurrection,  whereby  they  are  justified, 
being  raised  with  him  to  newness  of  life ;  by  faith  re- 
ceiving the  gift  of  God's  righteousness,  and  becoming 
servants  thereto;  and  thereby  became  free  from  sin: 
And  this  is  true  justification,  where  there  is  no  condem- 
nation, where  the  deeds  of  iha  flesh  are  mortified,  and 
the  creature  walks  no  more  after  the  flesh,  but  after 
the  spirit:  for  the  condemnation  is  to  him  that  walks 
after  the  flesh,  but  he  that  walks  in  the  spirit  is  justified : 
for  he  that  walks  in  the  spirit  shall  not  fulfil  the  lusts 
of  the  flesh,  and  there  is  mortification  to  that  nature 
that  breaks  the  law;  and  the  just  is  seen  who  fulfils  the 
law,  in  such  as  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the 
spirit.  So,  not  the  hearers  of  the  law  are  just  before 
God,  but  the  doers  of  the  law  shall  be  justified.  In  the 
first  or  earthly  man's  state  the  law  is  broken,  and  there 
mortification,  and  sanctification  is  denied,  and  there 
the  man  would  be  justified  from  the  guilt  of  sin,  but 
not  from  the  love  and  power  of  sin,  but  would  have  his 
carnal  delights  in  the  world,  and  heaven  also,  but  this 
is  vain  hope,  and  will  perish:  but  in  the  second  man's 
state,  the  law  is  fulfilled,  through  mortification,  sanctifi- 
cation, justification  of  the  spirit.  And  no  man  can  be 
justified  where  the  just  lives  not;  for  that  by  which  the 
just  lives,  is  that  by  which  the  creature  is  justified. 


%(   342  ) 


CONCERNING  THE  LAW. 

In  this  thing  are  many  people  confounded,  yea  ail 
who  know  not  the  ministration  of  the  spirit;  for  such 
going  into  the  scriptures,  and  finding  the  ministration  of 
the  letter,  and  the  ministration  of  the  spirit,  and  them- 
selves being  under  neither  of  these,  but  in  notion,  as 
they  have  received  it,  in  their  imaginations,  and  not 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord,  some  say  they  are  under 
the  law,  and  that  it  continues  still:  others  say,  but 
some  part  of  it,  which  is  moral;  others  say,  nay,  but  it 
is  done  away,  and  they  are  not  under  any  ministration 
of  law,  but  under  grace;  and  so  by  their  faith  make 
void  the  law,  not  knowing  what  they  say  herein.  And 
this  is,  all  such  know,  either  of  law  or  gospel,  who  in 
their  carnal  wisdom  read  the  letter,  and  from  thence 
imagine  what  is  law,  and  what  is  grace,  not  having  that 
spirit  by  which  they  were  ministered  to  the  saints,  and 
by  them  received,  who  had  the  law  in  their  hearts,  and 
grace  there  also;  and  such  do  know  that  the  one  of 
these  doth  not  make  void  the  other,  but  establish  the 
other;  for  the  coming  of  Christ  was  not  to  make  void, 
but  to  fulfil  the  law;  and  he  doth  not  come  to  put  the 
law  afar  ofi",  but  to  bring  it  near,  that  with  his  light  all 
may  see  it,  as  it  is  written  in  the  heart,  by  the  living 
God ;  and  he  is  so  far  from  destroying  or  taking  away 
the  law,  that  he  declares  it  in  its  force  and  purity, 
saying,  that  one  jot  or  tittle  should  not  pass  till  it  be 
fulfilled. 

And  whereas  it  was  said  in  the  letter,  thou  shalt  not 
commit  adultery,  he  *saith,  thou  shalt  not  lust:  in  the 
letter  it  was  said,  thou  shalt  not  swear  falsely,  but  in 
the  spirit,  he  saith,  swear  not  at  all:  in  the  letter,  thou 
shalt  not  kill,  but  in  the  spirit,  thou  shalt  not  be  angry; 
and  whosoever  doth  any  of  these  things  is  guilty  before 
God,  and  this  is  far  from  making  it  void,  which  declares 
it  in  its  purity,  so  as  they  who  might  seem  to  be  clear 
in  the  letter,  might  be  found  guilty  in  the  law  of  the 
spirit;  that  by  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  the  end  of  that  law, 


(   343  ) 


IS  witnessed,  and  the  faith  is  shewed  by  the  works^ 
which  cannot  be  shewed  without  the  works;  for  that 
faith  that  hath  not  works  is  dead,  being  alone;  as  the 
body  without  the  spirit,  so  is  your  faith  without  works, 
and  so  is  your  justification  without  holiness,  and  morti- 
fication of  life. 

And  you  will  find  in  the  end,  that  he  that  justifies 
the  wicked  in  you,  is  the  same  that  condemneth  the 
just,  and  they  are  both  abomination  to  the  Lord:  and 
this  is  your  state  who  plead  for  sin,  and  live  in  pleasure, 
and  wantonly  on  the  earth;  you  slay  the  just,  and  holy 
one,  and  save  the  unjust  alive;  and  so  know  not  him 
that  is  just;  w^ho  justifies,  mortifies,  sanctifies  and  re- 
deems; who  of  God  is  made  so  to  us,  that  in  all  things 
we  are  and  have,  we  may  glory  in  him. 

And  although  the  scriptures  mention  these  three, 
yet  not  to  divide  them  so,  as  to  make  people  believe 
ihey  may  have  one  and  not  all ;  but  as  to  shew  the  sev- 
eral effects  of  that  one  work  of  man's  redemption,  all 
wrought  by  one  thing  in  the  creature.  For  the  blood 
and  spirit  of  Christ  washes  away  the  filth,  and  so  puts 
off  the  old  man,  and  mortifies  the  deeds  of  the  body, 
and  so  sanctifies,  and  justifies;  the  spirit  it  mortifies, 
and  sanctifies,  and  justifies.  Now  though  the  saints 
named  both  these, it  was  not  to  divide  them;  but  being 
one,  they  might  declare  it  by  either;  for  none  could 
have  the  one  without  the  other,  and  all  that  have  them, 
are  thereby  mortified,  sanctified,  and  justified.  Yet 
none  of  these  w  ithout  man's  obedience,  being  works  of 
faith,  and  not  of  self:  for  by  the  law  of  faith  is  self- 
sanctification,  self-mortification, and  self-justification  ex- 
cluded, though  they  who  had  received  the  spirit  were 
called  to  all  these  by  faith  in  his  blood,  yet  it  is  the 
work  of  God  wrought  by  Christ  in  the  believer,  and  in 
the  light  are  they  called  to  behold  the  work  of  God 
herein,  and  join  to  it  in  the  faith  and  obedience  thereto, 
being  the  work  of  God,  which  he  will  work  in  all  that 
believe  in  the  light,  that  they  may  receive  his  sou,  in 
whom  the  promise  is,  and  the  power  to  mortification, 
sanctification,  and  justification  as  by  faith  he  is  received, 
who  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and  raised  again 


(  344  ) 


they  may  come  to  see  their  condemnation,  and  by  faith 
in  him,  come  to  be  set  free,  not  by  the  blood  of  bulls, 
and  goats,  and  the  ashes  of  an  heifer,  and  carnal  sac- 
rifices, oracles,  legal  temple  or  altar,  or  days,  or  sab- 
bath without  in  the  letter,  but  by  Christ  Jesus  the  end 
of  all  these,  ministering  to  the  soul,  and  conscience,  to 
wash  away  sin,  and  purge  the  conscience  from  dead 
works  to  serve  the  living  God;  which  the  ministration 
of  the  letter  and  carnal  ordinances  could  not  do. 

And  for  this  cause  is  the  ministration  of  the  letter 
done  away,  because  it  could  not  make  perfect  the  com- 
ers thereto,  as  pertaining  to  the  conscience:  and  the 
ministration  of  the  spirit  preached  in  its  stead,  which 
gives  perfect  knowledge  of  sin,  and  perfect  redemption 
from  it,  and  from  all  things,  from  which  the  law  without 
-could  not,  and  the  same  spirit  doth  testify  it  perfectly, 
in  the  conscience,  which  the  letter  cannot,  though  the 
letter  may  shew  a  man  his  condemnation,  yet  it  cannot 
give  life,  it  can  shew  the  duty,  but  not  give  power  to 
perform  it;  for  the  letter  kills,  but  the  spirit  giveth 
life. 

And  hence  it  is  that  all  you  who  read  your  duty  in 
the  letter,  but  want  power  to  perform  what  you  read, 
you  setup  your  imaginations  instead  of  performance: 
and  some  say  the  law  is  done  away,  and  now  none  shall 
be  condemned  by  it;  others  say  Christ  fulfilled  it  in  his 
own  person,  and  to  believe  what  he  did  sixteen  hundred 
years  since,  is  all  we  need  to  do;  others  say,  nay,  but 
we  must  do  what  we  can  of  what  the  scripture  com- 
mands, and  he  will  do  the  rest,  with  his  father;  others 
say,  that  what  we  do  he  makes  it  accepted  with  the 
father,  as  though  we  did  perform  all  that  is  required ; 
but  none  in  that  state  knows  his  commands  in  spirit, 
which  give  life  and  power  to  perform  what  is  command- 
ed in  spirit,  which  none  know  who  read  what  others 
did,  but  want  their  spirit  and  power  to  perform  the 
same;  this  was  the  self  righteousness,  and  is  the  self 
righteousness  which  is  by  the  letter  of  the  law,  taken 
on  without  the  spirit  of  life,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 

And  here  is  the  weakness  of  the  law  taken  on  through 
the  flesh,  but  the  power  of  the  law,  to  such  as  receive 


(  345  ) 


it  in  spirit  and  life;  for  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  spirit,  and 
not  in  the  letter;  and  so  in  Christ,  and  not  in  self;  and 
so  by  faith, and  not  by  works;  even  by  the  everlasting 
righteousness  of  God,  freely  given  and  received  by  faith, 
and  revealed  in  the  creature  from  faith  to  faith  in  every 
one  that  believes;  and  not  by  works  of  the  law  which 
the  creatures  see  in  the  letter,  and  set  themselves  a  do- 
ing, who  are  carnal,  and  sold  under  sin,  not  quickened 
by  the  spirit  of  righteousness;  for  the  letter  of  the  law 
gives  a  knowledge  of  sin ;  but  the  law  in  the  spirit  gives 
not  only  the  knowledge  of  sin,  but  the  knowledge  of 
God,  and  his  righteousness  in  Christ  Jesus,  for  fulfilling 
the  Inw,  which  is  life  eternal,  according  to  his  promise, 
I  will  writ-c  my  law  in  your  hearts,  and  put  it  in  your 
inward  parts,  and  you  shall  all  know  me,  from  the 
greatest  to  the  least. 

So  all  you  who  read  the  commands  in  the  letter  with- 
out, from  thence  you  may  fetch  your  own  condemnation, 
but  from  thence  can  you  not  fetch  power  for  obedience, 
to  justification  of  life.  From  within  is  the  life  in  spirit, 
and  not  in  the  letter.  And  h^re  is  a  change  of  the  law 
to  that  which  is  spiritual,  the  priesthood  spiritual,  the 
temple  spiritual,  the  altar,  the  circumcision,  the  offering, 
the  blood,  the  oracle,  the  anointing,  the  washings,  and 
the  whole  worship,  which  was  without,  and  could  make 
nothing  perfect,  changed  and  become  spiritual,  and 
within;  to  the  better  hope,  being  more  perfect  than  that 
without  could  be;  for  he  is  perfect. 

Now  the  law  was  added  because  of  transgression  till 
the  promised  seed  should  come,  of  whom  it  is  prophesy- 
ed  in  types  and  figures;  which  seed  is  Christ, the  end  of 
the  law  to  every  one  that  believes,  without  respect  of 
persons ;  and  so  it  is  in  the  spirit. 

A  law  hath  God  written  in  the  heart,  whereby  the 
transgressor  is  condemned  in  his  own  conscience,  and 
this  law  is  upon  the  first  man,  who  is  the  transgressor^ 
and  hath  power  over  that  man  as  long  as  he  lives,  judg* 
ing,  reproving,  and  condemning;  and  prophesying  of  one 
that  is  to  come  to  fulfil  the  law  in  every  one  who  minds 
the  light,  and  so  is  a  school-master,  to  bring  to  Christ , 
and  till  he  come  to  fulfill  it,  who  is  the  end  of  it,  there 

44 


(  346  ) 


is  condemnation  upon  the  creature;  because  the  pure 
law  of  God  is  broken;  and  this  is  testified  by  the  light 
in  the  conscience,  a  witness  against  the  old  man  and  his 
deeds,  which  is  contrary  to  the  perfect  law  of  God ;  and 
so  by  that  which  is  perfect  is  he  condemned  who  is  im- 
perfect, where  the  image  of  God  is  lost,  and  death  reigns, 
because  of  trespasses  and  sins. 

For  God  did  not  give  a  law  to  condemn  his  own  work, 
but  the  work  of  the  devil.  And  where  the  transgressor 
is,  there  is  the  work  of  the  devil.  And  the  law  hath 
power  over  that  man  as  long  as  the  transgressor  lives. 
And  all  his  works  are  by  the  law  condemned,  until  the 
resurrection  of  the  seed,  and  the  image  of  God  be  wit- 
nessed, and  all  things  subdued  to  him,  who  is  the  end  of 
the  law,  by  whom  the  fruits  of  the  spirit  are  brought 
forth,  against  which  there  is  no  law.  And  so  by  his 
resurrection,  and  the  virtue  thereof,  that  which  is  of 
God  in  the  conscience  is  answered,  and  so  the  creature 
saved  from  the  condemnation  of  the  law  of  God,  which 
respects  no  man's  person:  but  hath  respect  to  his  own 
seed,  but  condemns  all  who  are  in  death,  and  where 
death  reigns. 

So  the  law  that  lays  hold  upon  all  transgressors,  we 
witness  to  endure,  spiritual,  just,  and  good ;  given  forth 
against  the  first  man,  and  his  works  good  or  bad,  (as 
people  call  them)  yea,  though  he  set  himself  to  do  the 
works  of  the  law  never  so  zealously,  yet  a  witness  of 
condemnation  the  pure  law  of  God  is  against  him  in  his 
conscience,  until  the  promised  seed  and  birth  thereof  be 
born,  which  is  not  of  the  will  of  the  first  man,  nor  after 
the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit,  after  the  will  of  God  (one 
with  the  law)  and  by  his  grace,  who  shews  the  mercy 
and  glad  tidings.  Now  Israel  after  the  flesh,  who  re- 
ceived the  law  in  the  literal  ministration  and  carnal  or- 
dinances^from  themj  was  Christ  to  come,  who  was  made 
of  a  woman  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that  were 
under  the  law, if  they  did  believe. 

Even  so  now  Israel  after  the  spirit,  who  receive  the 
law  in  the  spiritual  ministration  written  in  the  heart, 
such  shall  witness  the  child  born  of  the  royal  seed,  heir 
of  the  promise,  even  of  God's  righteousness,  for  the  ful- 


(  347  ) 

iiing  or  the  pure  law  of  God, for  that  end  given  forth; 

hereof  there  are  many  witnesses  at  this  day,  who  have 
patiently  waited  in  what  God  hath  written  in  their 
hearts, seen  with  the  light  of  Christ;  who  have  therein 
received  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  and  the  end  of  that 
faith,  even  God's  righteousness  revealed  from  faith  to 
faith,  whereby  the  pure  law  of  God  is  fulfilled  in  many, 
and  fulhlling  in  others,  who  abide  in  their  measure  of 
faith  which  God  hath  dealt  to  them,  walking  in  the  light, 
not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit;  and  so  by  the 
law  of  the  spirit  of  life,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  see 
themselves  set  free  from  the  Ikw  of  sin  and  death,  and 
so  witness  the  gospel,  which  you  cannot  do,  who  cast 
the  law  of  God,  and  his  light  behind  your  backs,  and  in 
your  vain  mind  say  you  are  not  under  it;  in  the  day  of 
trial  you  will  be  found  under  the  condemnation  thereof, 
and  that  in  every  conscience  shall  witness  thereto,  at 
that  day. 


CONCEENING  CHRIST  JEStJS 

This  is  he  whom  the  world  much  talk  of,  but  few 
there  be  that  know  him,  though  it  be  he  by  whom  all 
things  were  made,  who  is  the  life  of  all  creatures,  the 
beginning  of  all  creatures,  who  was  before  all  creatures, 
without  beginning  of  days,  or  end  of  life,  a  priest  forever, 
and  a  king,  of  whose  dominion  there  is  no  end;  by  him 
kings  reign,  and  dominions  are  cast  down,  though  they 
know  him  not  where  self  is  standing,  who  is  hidden  from 
the  world's  wisdom,  and  the  depth  of  prudence  cannot 
find  him  out;  yet  doth  he  reveal  himself  to  such  as  walk 
in  his  light,  which  is  contrary  to  all  the  dark  paths  of 
the  world,  nor  can  the  will  of  man  walk  therein;  but 
who  deny  themselves,  that  they  may  learn  the  way  of 
the  Lord,  to  such  he  freely  reveals  his  way  for  their  re- 
turn, that  he  may  bring  them  down  from  the  seat  of  ex- 
altation, and  make  known  to  them  their  beginning,  and 
from  whence  they  are  digged,  that  they  may  see  him 


(   348  ) 


that  bears  up  the  pillars  of  the  earth,  and  hath  laid  the; 
foundation  thereof;  who  hath  set  the  world  in  their 
hearts,  so  that  they  who  stood  not  in  his  counsel  can- 
not find  out  the  beginning,  nor  the  end  of  the  work  of 
God  ,  yet  will  vain  man  in  that  state  be  imagining  touch- 
ing him,  and  from  whence  he  had  his  beginning  w^ho  is 
the  eternal  word,  before  all  time,  glorified  in  the  Heav- 
ens with  the  father,  who  in  time  was  manifest,  which 
word  become  flesh,  and  dwelt  amongst  us,  and  took  up- 
on him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the 
likeness  of  men;  and  being  found  in  fashion  as  a  man, 
he  humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient  to  the  death, 
that  he  might  become  a  living  example  to  all  genera- 
tions, which  no  creature  could  be,  the  whole  creation 
being  in  the  fall,  and  having  finished  the  work,  and  of- 
fered up  himself  for  man's  redemption,  given  him  of  the 
father  to  do,  and  for  which  he  was  begotten,  he  ascend- 
ed far  above  all  Heavens,  to  prepare  a  place  for  all  that 
follow  him  by  faith  in  his  light ;  and  that  from  thence  all 
such  as  wait  for  him,  may  see  his  appearance  as  a  sa- 
viour. And  only  such  know  him  for  their  redeemer,  vi^ho 
know  him  for  their  judge  and  lawgiver,  who  love  him, 
and  keep  his  commandments;  to  such  he  comes,  and  the 
father  also,  and  make  their  abode  with  him. 

And  this  is  he  who  is  the  light  of  the  world,  and 
lighteth  every  man  that  comes  into  the  world,  who  stands 
at  the  door  and  knocks,  and  if  any  hear  his  voice  and 
open, he  will  come  in  and  sup  with  him;  and  such  know 
him,  and  he  knows  them  who  hear  his  voice,  by  which 
they  are  quickened  out  of  the  trespasses  and  sins,  and 
the  seed  of  God  raised  over  death  in  man,  but  where 
death  reigns,  Christ  is  rejected, and  the  wisdom  by  which 
he  should  be  known  is  foolishness. 

So,  if  you  desire  to  know  him  who  is  not  of  this  worlds 
but  who  is  before  the  world  was,  a  witness  against  all 
the  world's  ways  and  wickedness,  then  mind  that  light 
in  you  which  thus  witnesseth;  for  as  Christ  is,  so  is  his 
light  that  leads  to  him;  for  that  which  bears  testimony 
against  the  world,  is  not  of  the  world,  even  as  he  is  not 
of  the  world,  and  so  leads  out  of  the  world,  to  him  who 
is  not  known  in  the  world;  for  the  world  by  wisdom 


■  knows  him  not.  And  as  thou  followest  the  light  out  of 
f  he  world,  thou  wilt  come  to  see  the  seed,  which  to  the 
world's  wisdom  and  glory  is  crucified ;  to  which  seed  are 
all  the  promises,  and  wherein  is  all  the  knowledge  of 
God  and  Christ.  And  as  that  seed  is  raised,  and  man 
born  thereof,  therein  is  the  father  revealed,  and  his  pow- 
er and  godhead  in  his  son  Jesus  Christ,  which  in  him 
dwells,  and  without  him  is  not  revealed,  but  being 
known  is  life  eternal,  and  eternal  power,  and  eternal 
glory  and  riches,  made  manifest  in  the  light;  for  as  you 
know  this  seed  raised  by  the  same  spirit  that  raised  Je- 
sus Christ  from  the  dead ;  so  shall  you  see  him,  to  whom 
all  power  and  judgment  is  committed  in  Heaven  and  in 
earth,  and  for  whom,  and  by  whom  all  things  were  made 
in  Heaven  and  earth,  of  whom  it  is  said,  when  he  bring- 
eth  his  only  begotten  son  into  the  world,  let  all  the  an- 
gels worship  him;  who  maketh  his  angels  spirits, and  his 
ministers  a  flame  of  fire,  whose  flesh  is  the  life  of  men, 
and  his  light  is  as  a  law  that  goeth  forth ;  whereby  man 
is  led  to  his  spiritual  food,  and  the  sons  of  men  see  out 
of  darkness.  And  this  is  he  who  cannot  be  limited,  nor 
restrained  in  one  place,  who  filleth  Heaven  and  earth 
with  his  presence,  and  appeareth  at  his  pleasure  to  his 
I  own  (though  the  wise  of  the  world  know  him  not,  and 
!  therefore  limit  him  only  above  the  stars)  who  dwelleth 
\  in  his  saints:  but  as  for  the  reproba,tes,  they  know  him 
I  not  so,  who  have  put  the  good  day  far  from  them,  and 
hate  reproof,  that  they  may  spend  their  days  in  folly, 
and  feed  themselves  with  the  wind,  and  fill  their  hearts 
j  with  carnal  delights.  When  the  hearts  of  the  children 
of  light  are  established  with  grace,  yet  these  will  be 
disputing  about  the  body  of  Christ;  but  the  body  of  sin 
I  rules  in  them,  whereby  they  are  darkened,  and  become 
I  heart  blind,  past  feeling  the  measure  of  God's  grace, 
whose  hearts  are  overcharged  with  surfeiting,  and  care»- 
of  the  world,  and  their  minds  corrupted  with  earthly 
things. 

To  such  I  say,  cease  your  imaginations,  as  to  find  out 
what  Christ  is  in  that  state ;  for  he  alone  reveals  himself 
in  spirit,  to  such  as  wait  in  the  light,  and  love  that  which 
is  pure;  to  such  his  appearance  is  as  the  sun,  whose 


(  350  ) 


rising  IS  not  by  the  will  of  man,  but  for  his  appearing  all 
the  world  must  wait,  if  they'll  be  saved  and  refreshed 
with  the  beams  of  his  glory:  and  to  all  who  are  yet  in 
the  night  shall  he  appear,  if  you  look  towards  the  place 
of  his  rising, which  is  not, lo,  here,  lo,  there;  but  within 
you,  in  your  hearts.  And  all  who  are  come  to  the  sure 
word  of  prophesy,  as  to  a  light  that  shines  in  a  dark 
place,  to  which  you  do  well  to  take  heed,  till  the  day 
dawn,  and  the  day-star  arise  in  your  hearts,  you  shall 
see  the  sun  arise,  where  the  day-star  appears  in  your 
hearts,  if  in  the  light  you  wait  that  shines  in  the  dark- 
ness; and  you  shall  feel  the  virtue  and  life  of  him,  and 
receive  thereof  to  live  in  the  same  with  him;  and  you 
H  shall  see  him  as  he  is,  and  know  him  to  be  the  s^n  of 
righteousness,  whose  arising  is  with  healing  in  his  wings, 
and  whose  breaking  forth  is  upon  all  his  enemies  which 
over  the  seed  have  reigned;  whose  spiritual  weapons 
are  mighty  through  God,  to  the  pulling  down  strong 
holds,  casting  down  imaginations,  and  every  high  thing 
that  exalteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and 
bringing  into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience 
of  himself,  and  having  in  readiness  to  revenge  all  diso- 
bedience, when  your  obedience  is  fulfilled. 

And  thus  the  saints  know  the  son  with  his  light,  his 
power  and  dominion  over  all  things  in  Heaven  and  in 
earth,  who  rules  in  righteousness  in  the  hearts  of  his 
people,  trampling  down  satan  under  their  feet,  which 
son  of  God  hypocrites  call  Lord,  Lord,  but  the  devil 
they  serve  and  obey;  and  though  such  have  got  the 
words  of  the  Lord,  and  Christ,  and  Jesus,  yet  they  know 
not  his  light,  his  power,  his  kingdom  and  dominion,  over 
sin  and  the  devil  in  them,  to  set  them  free  therefrom,  by 
his  light  and  life ;  nor  this  blood  of  Christ  to  wa^  them 
from  their  pollutions,  and  to  present  them  without  spot 
or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing.  And  so  you  have  made 
the  name  of  Christ  a  reproach  among  the  nations,  who 
call  him  a  redeemer,  but  live  in  your  sins ;  so  as  such  as 
possess  not  the  syllables  of  Christ  and  Jesus,  even  from 
a  principle  of  God  within  them,  many  of  them  become 
your  judges  as  to  moderation,  faithfulness  and  honesty. 


(   351  ) 

Nay,  il  is  manifest  amongst  you,  that  the  name  of  Je- 
sus, which  gives  the  saints  victory  over  sin,  you  know 
not,  who  have  it  in  words,  and  therewith  make  a  cover 
for  your  sin,  your  pride,  lust  and  excess.  What  cove- 
tousness,  and  all  manner  of  unrighteousness  is  covered 
with  a  profession  of  the  name  of  Christ,  which  redeems 
from  those  things  all  that  know  him?  For  none  know 
Jesus  further  than  they  know  a  saviour, sin,  and  not  a  . 
cover  for  sin,  and  live  in  it ;  for  the  promise  of  the  father 
is,  he  shall  save  his  people  from  their  sins.  And  the 
children  of  the  promise  know  this  to  be  so  without  a 
cover  or  meaning  to  live  in  sin.  And  none  know  Christ, 
but  who  know  the  anointing,  and  such  need  no  man 
to  teach  them,  but  as  the  anointing  teacheth  them  all 
things  that  are  true,  if  they  abide  therein,  and  there  is  no 
lie  in  it. 

But  who  say  they  know  Christ,  and  are  redeemed, 
and  commit  sin,  not  keeping  his  commands,  are  liars, 
and  so  abide  not  in  the  truth  and  anointing;  and  so  are 
of  the  devil,  and  not  of  Christ;  for  he  that  abides  in 
Christ,  sins  not,  for  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  is  power 
over  all  sin,  as  it  is  known,  and  the  creature  baptized  in- 
to it  by  faith.  So  all  that  know  Christ,  know  the  seed, 
the  promise,  the  word  of  life,  the  covenant,  the  heritage, 
the  righteousness,  the  kingdom,  the  power,  the  glory 
which  is  not  of  this  world,  and  the  father  of  all ;  which 
you  that  commit  sin  have  not  seen.  Neither  can  any 
say,  that  Jesus  is  Lord,  but  by  the  spirit;  so  you  whose 
knowledge  is  without  another  Lord  ruleth  within. 


CONCERNING  THE  MINISTRY  OP  CHRIST. 

The  ministers  of  Christ  are  ever  called  out  of  the 
world,  and  contrary  to  the  world,  contrary  to  their  own 
wills,  and  the  wills  of  all  flesh,-  for  such  have  the  word 
who  are  begotten  of  the  word,  and  such  are  begotten 
contrary  to  the  will  of  man,  and  through  such  came  the 
Scriptures,  which  came  not  by  the  will  of  man,  but  by 


(  352  ) 

the  spirit,  and  so  are  of  no  private  interpretation^,  nor 
are  his  ministers  of  any  private  call,  but  of  himself,  who 
hath  all  cTeatares  in  his  hand,  to  choose  whom  he  will, 
to  go  on  his  message,  nor  would  he  even  send  by  any 
whom  the  krngs  of  the  earth  did  choose,  nor  the  powers 
thereof,  but  such  as  they  called  and  set  up  without  his 
immediate  call,  were  ever  the  great  enemies  to  such  as 
he  sent.  And  this  is  evident  in  all  the  Scriptures,  and 
in  all  histories  since,  that  whenever  the  mystery  of  ini- 
quity had  spread  over,  and  darkness  had  passed  over  his 
seed,  and  his  people  had  broken  his  covenant,  and  lost 
his  word,  then  he  in  love  to  his  people  sent  out  some  im- 
mediately, who  had  his  word  in  them,  to  bear  witness  to 
the  Lord,  against  all  their  back-slidings  and  self-w^ays, 
and  formal  worships,  and  to  such  the  world's  ministers,  or 
rather  masters,  were  ever  enemies,  and  /ought  to  stir  up 
the  powers  of  men  against  them,  to  devour  them,  under 
the  name  of  blasphemers  and  hereticks,  and  destroyers 
of  worship,  and  peace-breakers  and  enemies  to  authori- 
ty, when  they  were  sent  of  God  to  testify  against  their 
false  worship,  and  break  the  peace  of  the  wicked  one, 
who  keeps  his  house  in  peace  till  a  stronger  than  he 
comes.  And  this  you  shall  find  recorded  through  the 
Scriptures  and  all  histories  of  persecution  in  all  ages, 
and  at  this  day.  And  you  shall  never  find  that  ever  any 
of  these  could  join  in  with  the  worlds  worshii>s,  but  cried 
them  down,  their  priests,  their  prophets,  their  days, their 
time,  their  places,  their  whole  worship,  wh(>  were  gone 
out  into  the  world,  from  the  word  and  spirit,  for  which 
they  were  envied  of  them  who  were  therein,  and  such 
as  they  had  deceived  thereby;  for  the  world  ever  loves 
its  own,  but  he  that  is  of  God  testifies  against  the  world, 
and  the  deeds  thereof,  that  they  are  evil,  therefore  hated 
thereby  for  the  truth's  sake. 

And  as  the  ministers  of  Christ  are  ever  called  out  of 
the  world ;  and  the  things  thereof,  so  they  are  not  care- 
ful for  the  things  of  the  world ;  but  he  who  is  their  min- 
ister, is  their  maintainer,  whom  they  preach.  And 
so  they  that  preach  the  gospel  live  of  the  gospel :  so 
never  any  of  his  sought  to  the  people  for  means,  nor 
taught  fort  he  fleece,  preached  for  hire,  nor  prophesied 


(   353  ) 


lor  money,  for  pieces  of  bread,  nor  handfuls  of  corn, 
none  of  Christ's  ministers  ever  lived  in  parsonages,  nor 
lived  upon  tithes,  nor  ever  went  to  law  with  their  flock 
for  carnal  things;  they  never  loved  to  be  called  masters 
of  their  hearers,  but  servants;  they  were  never  approved, 
)r  commissionated  by  men  to  whom  they  were  to  preach, 
but  sent  of  God  to  preach  to  such  as  sought  him  not; 
and  amongst  such  they  in  all  things  approved  themselves 
to  be  ministers  of  God  [that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed] 
in  much  patience,  in  affliction,  in  necessities,  in  distress- 
es, in  stripes,  in  imprisonments,  in  tumults,  in  labours,  in 
watchings,  in  fastings,  by  pureness,  by  knowledge,  by 
long-suffering,  by  kindness,  by  the  holy  ghost,  by  love 
unfeigned,  by  the  word  of  truth,  by  the  power  of  God, 
by  the  armour  of  righteousness  on  the  right  hand  and  on 
the  left;  by  honour  and  dishonour,  by  evil  report  and 
good  report,  as  deceivers  and  yet  true,  as  unknown  and 
yet  well  known,  as  dying  and  yet  live;  chastened,  sor- 
rowful, pour,  having  nothing,  wandering  up  and  down, 
having  no  certain  dwelling  place.  And  in  this  state 
their  care  was,  that  they  might  keep  the  gospel  without 
charge,  and  yet  they  were  ever  hated  by  such  as  w^ere 
approved  of  men,  who  stirred  up  such  as  they  preached 
to  for  their  hire,  to  persecute  them  chat  preached  freely ; 
yet  must  they  not  cease,  but  preach  freely,  to  such  as 
are  so  far  from  hiring  them,  as  they  would  rather  devour 
them  than  hear  them,  yet  will  hire  and  hear  them  of 
their  own  choosing.  And  this  must  be,  that  the  grace 
of  God  may  appear  to  be  free,  and  he  be  found  of  them 
that  sought  him  not. 

And  this  was  ever  his  w^ay,  who  will  be  taught  of 
none,  nor  shall  any  choose  for  him,  by  whom  he  shall 
send,  nor  shall  any  whom  he  sends  ever  want,  nor  take 
care  for  aught  afore-hand,  that  they  may  follow  their 
master,  and  be  as  their  Lord,  who  shall  feed  many,  but 
seek  to  none  for  food,  but  what  God  gives;  for  it  is  not 
like  that  they  should  feed  others  with  everlasting  food, 
who  dare  not  trust  God  for  carnal  food;  for  God  will  nor. 
have  such  as  are  of  his  family,  and  his  ministers,  to  take 
care  for  food  and  raiment,  nor  wherewith  to  feed  others; 
for  who  love  the  word  in  them,  in  which  all  fuhiess  is. 

4'! 


(   354  ) 


need  not  study  what  to  say,  nor  have  a  divination  to 
make,  what  to  preach,  hke  them  who  have  not  the  word 
m  them,  but  what  they  steal  from  another,  or  to  fetch 
out  of  the  bottomless  pit  by  divination  and  witchcraft, 
who  can  have  words  in  their  own  times  and  wills,  a- 
gainst  whom  they  will,  and  to  flatter  whom  they  will; 
who  cry  peace  to  such  as  put  into  their  mouths,  else  they 
prepare  war  against  them,  who  mind  earthly  things, 
whose  God  is  their  belly,  who  talk  against  pride,  and 
live  in  it;  against  covetousness,  and  live  in  it;  who 
preach  against  sin,  but  cannot  cease  from  sin.  And 
such  as  they  are,  such  are  their  hearers,  who  in  words 
confess  Christ,  but  in  works  deny  him.  And  these  are 
they  who  for  their  pride,  pleasures  and  carnal  ends, 
have  changed  the  Lord's  worship  from  what  it  was,  both 
in  matter  and  manner,  means  and  maintenance,  and  so 
have  scattered  the  Lord's  people  into  sects  and  opinions, 
forms,  customs  and  traditions  in  every  nation,  as  may 
best  suit  their  wicked  wills;  for  which  they  pretend  de- 
cency, order  and  necessity,  so  that  they  arie  not  found  in 
the  way  of  God,  nor  form  of  true  worship,  as  the  scrip- 
tures will  own  without  wresting.  And  now^the  Lord  is 
appeared  in  the  true  way,  as  Christ  left  it  with  his  dis- 
ciples, to  gather  his  own  from  off  all  these  mountains 
where  they  are  scattered,  all  the  idol  shepherds  are 
gathering  against  him  to  battle,  of  all  sorts,  not  willing 
to  hear  of  the  living  way,  which  is  but  one,  in  which 
there  is  no  rent,  sect  or  error,  but  Christ  in  all;  nay, one 
can  scarcely  grieve  a  town-teacher  worse,  than  to  tell 
him  of  the  apostles  way  of  preaching,  their  call,  their 
spirit,  their  wanderings,  their  wages,  their  word,  and 
way  of  walking  in  this  world,  and  amongst  their  hear- 
ers, as  is  declared  in  scripture  without  a  meaningj  or 
liberty  to  change  it  according  to  the  times. 

Nay,  though  all  their  parish  be  believers  (as  they  call 
them)  yet  can  they  not  believe  they  shall  get  their  wa- 
ges from  them  without  a  law  to  compel  them,  so  that 
though  they  have  begot  a  larger  faith  in  their  hearers 
than  the  apostles  ever  taught,  (to  w^it)  that  though 
they  commit  sin  while  they  live,  yet  they  may  be  saved 
and  set  free  when  they  die;  yet  have  not  they  so  much 


(   355  ) 


faith  themselves,  as  to  believe,  they  will  pay  them  their 
wages,  without  it  be  forced  from  them,  that  which  none 
of  Christ's  ministers  ever  did,  either  inlaw  or  gospel. — ' 
So  we  may  not  say  that  these  are  ministers  of  Christ,  or 
like  them,  if  we  will  speak  truth,  and  take  Christ's  rule 
to  judge  by,  who  saith,  by  their  fruits  you  shall  know 
them. 

Nor  should  I  have  spoken  thus  much  of  them  in  this 
place,  did  tiiey  but  call  themselves  the  ministers  of  men, 
mar'e  so  by  them,  and  so  upholden  and  maintained ;  but 
such  as  call  themselves  ministers  of  Christ,  and  walk  so 
far  unlike  him  and  his  in  all  things,  I  say|to  such  as 
are  found  in  these  things,  your  ways  testify  to  your  fa- 
ces, and  before  all  men,  that  you  are  no  more  like  the 
ministers  of  Christ,  than  they  that  walked  in  your  steps 
before  you.  So,  search  the  scriptures,  and  search  your 
hearts  with  the  light  of  Christ,  and  know  your  portion, 
and  count  me  not  your  enemy  for  telling  you  the  truth; 
however,  I  have  cleared  my  conscience  in  love  to  your 
souls,  though  such  as  are  deceived  through  blind  zeal 
and  envy  cannot  receive  it. 


CONCERNING  FREE-WILL. 

There  is  no  will  free  for  God,  but  that  which  is  turned 
against  [and  free  from]  sin,  which  will  man  lost  in  the 
fall,  when  h^  let  in  the  will  of  the  devil,  and  entered 
into  it;  wherein  man  became  in  bondage.  And  all  that 
man  in  that  state  knows  of  the  free-will,  is  by  that 
which  moves  in  him  against  the  will  of  the  flesh  and  of 
the  devil,  which  is  seen  in  the  light  of  Christ.  And  this 
is  according  to  the  will  of  God,  whereby  he  willeth  not 
the  death  of  the  sinner.  God  calls  man  to  be  willing 
and  obedient,  and  this  will  of  God  is  manifest,  according 
to  the  spirit,  which  is  free,  always  moving  contrary  to 
the  will  of  the  flesh,  which  is  in  bondage  to  the  deviK 
And  this  will  that  is  free,  only  those  who  abide  in  the 
light  do  feel  the  moving  of  it  present  in  the  spirit;  an^ 


(  356  ) 


as  the  spiritual  man  is  quickened  by  the  word  of  God, 
and  man  born  of  that  which  is  not  of  the  flesh,  nor  of 
the  will  of  it;  so  is  that  will  seen  again  in  man  which 
is  free,  wherein  the  creature  is  made  free  from  the  will 
of  the  flesh,  which  is  bondage.  So  the  spiritual  man 
hath  the  spiritual  will,  which  is  free,  and  that  is  from 
above.  And  the  carnal  man,  which  is  from  below,  his 
will  keeps  in  bondage,  who  is  contrary  to  God  in  all 
things;  but^who  is  begotten  again  of  the  word  from 
above  is  free-born,  when  he  is  born,  who  is  born  of  the 
spirit;  for  where  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  lib- 
erty; but  where  the  spirit  of  the  world  rules,  there  is 
bondage:  for  as  is  the  man,  so  is  his  will.  So  with  the 
light  of  Christ,  which  shews  you  the  thoughts  of  the* 
heart,  if  you  diligently  mind  it,  you  may  see  the  two 
motions  of  the  two  wills,  each  contrary  to  the  other; 
the  one  after  the  flesh,  the  other  after  the  spirit.  So 
whether  of  these  wills  thou  art  servant  to,  that  thou 
mayst  be  said  to  have,  and  to  the  other  thou  art  an  en- 
emy; for  no  man  hath  free-will  further  than  he  is  joined 
to  it,  though  he  that  is  in  his  own  wilJ,  may  feel  the  will 
of  God  contrary  to  him,  and^that  will  he  is  in;  yet  can 
he  not  come  to  it,  until  he  ovi^ns  that  which  leads  him  to 
take  up  the  cross  to  his  own  will,  and  in  the  cross  to  his 
own  will  is  he  born,  who  hath  the  will  of  God,  wherein 
God  worketh  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure,  in 
the  male  and  in  the  female,  even  the  plant  of  God,  who 
hath  the  will  of  God,  the  mind  of  God,  as  in  measure 
he  it  forms  in  the  creature.  So  man  hath  not  free-will 
further  than  he  is  free  born  from  above,  and  of  the  seed 
that  sinneth  not,  and  the  growth  of  that  seed  is  man's 
freedom;  but  while  this  lies  under  the  earthly  will  and 
self,  thereby  it  is  denied,  though  the  free-will  may  of- 
ten move  in  the  creature  to  holiness,  and  be  felt  in  the 
light  of  Christ, as  a  tender  of  healing;  yea,  and  would 
lead  to  holiness  and  healing,  where  it's  minded  and 
obeyed,  for  that  will  which  is  of  God  only,  leads  to  God ; 
by  which  will  we  are  sanctified  and  saved.  But  you 
that  stand  in  the  will  of  the  flesh  resist  it,  and  so  you 
will  not  come  to  Christ,  that  you  may  have  life ;  for  the 
will  of  God,  which  is  life,  is  free,  and  freely  tendered  in 


(   357  ) 


Christ  Jesus  to  every  creature ;  and  in  the  light,  which 
reproves  the  evil  deeds,  it  is  seen:  but  they  that  resist 
free  grace,  resist  free-vvillj  for  that's  free  grace  which 
shows  a  man  his  sin,  and  reproves  for  it,  which  would 
lead  to  God,  calls  to  be  willing  and  obedient,  and  to  de- 
ny all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  so  to  live  god- 
ly, righteously  and  soberly  in  this  evil  world.  And 
that's  free-will,  which  wills  not  that  thou  shouldest  com- 
mit sin,  which  will  is,  that  thou  shouldest  not  die.  So 
man's  destruction  is  of  himself,  and  self-will,  by  which 
he  resists  the  will  of  God;  but  salvation  is  of  the  will 
of  God  which  is  free,  and  in  the  measure  of  God's  gift 
is  this  freedom  found  and  enjoyed.    So  that  in  Christ  1 
have  free-will,  but  in  the  flesh  is  bondage.  Therefore 
the  flesh  must  be  denied  by  all  that  will  own  freedom  in 
will  or  deed ;  for  none  have  free-will  but  who  in  the  light 
of  Christ  have  learned  to  deny  their  own  wills;  and 
such  know,  that  in  the  first  man  is  neither  will  nor  deed 
that  is  free  from  sin,  nor  for  God,  and  his  work  or  wor- 
ship; for  God  hath  concluded  the  whole  man  under  sin, 
that  the  gift  of  grace  might  appear  to  be  free,  that  all 
might  glory  in  the  Lord,  and  the  whole  treasures  be 
found  in  him,  to  whom  every  tongue  shall  confess,  when 
the  glory  of  man  shall  come  to  an  end,  to  his  praise  whc 
is  blessed  for  evermore. 


CONCERNING  THE  RESURRECTION. 

I  AM  the  resurrection  and  the  life  (saith  Christ)  ht 
that  believeth  in  me  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he 
live;  and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall 
never  die.  Blessed  is  he  that  knovveth  and  believeth 
in  him,  who  is  the  first  resurrection,  for  on  such  the  se- 
cond death  shall  have  no  power.  Yet  the  day  cometh, 
in  which  all  that  are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  the  voice 
of  the  judge,  and  shall  come  forth,  they  that  have  done 
good  unto  the  resurrection  of  life,  and  they  that  have 
done  evil  unto  the  resurrection  of  condemnation.  Think 


(  358  ) 


of  this,  you  wicked  workers,  who  live  and  die  in  your 
sins,  and  yet  please  yourselves  with  talking  of  the  res- 
urrection, and  what  a  glorious  day  it  will  be,'  a  woeful 
day  to  you  will  it  be,  who  are  found  in  your  sins,  and  in 
the  love  of  the  world,  you  profane  Esaus,  and  cursed 
Nimrods,  and  proud  Hanians,  who  trample  upon  the  des- 
pised seed  of  innocency,  you  must  not  then  stop  the 
mouth  of  truth  any  longer,  but  right  must  be  heard  and 
pass,  as  to  the  high,  so  to  the  low;  you  hypocrites,  who 
confess  God  in  words,  but  in  works  deny  him,  what  will 
this  be  to  you,  when  your  fair  covers  must  be  taken 
away,  and  by  your  works  you  must  be  judged?  Will 
he  say  to  you,  because  you  have  been  great  talkers  of 
me,  therefore  your  deceits  shall  not  be  laid  open?  Or,  I 
will  first  make  you  clean  before  I  judge  you;  but  all 
others  will  I  judge  as  Ifind  them?  You  that  are  plead- 
ing for  sin  while  you  live,  and  holiness  when  you  are 
dead,  you  will  not  then  find  it  as  you  have  conceited,  but 
as  you  are  found.  A  terrible  day  will  this  be  unto  you 
who  die  in  your  sins;  and  this  the  children  of  light 
know,  whom  your  envious  minds  are  accusing,  as  though 
they  denied  the  resurrection,  though  you  see  them  pre- 
paring for  it,  by  casting  off  the  deeds  of  darkness  and 
works  of  the  flesh,  and  all  the  ungodly  ways  of  the 
world,  the  pleasures  and  vanities  thereof,  and  esteeming 
more  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  the  reproach  of  the 
world,  counting  that  greater  riches  than  the  present 
glory  of  the  world,  and  friendship  thereof:  but  were  our 
hope  only  in  this  life,  we  were  of  all  men  most  miserable, 
who  have  denied  all  these  things  for  the  Lord,  that  in 
him  we  might  be  found  at  that  day,  in  whom  we  look  for 
a  better  resurrection;  which  did  not  we  see  to  be  an  un- 
searchable reward,  we  have  an  opportunity  to  return: 
but  a  better  country  we  desire,  and  we  know  that  a  city 
is  prepared  for  us,  whose  maker  is  God,  a  durable  habi- 
tation in  the  Heavens,  which  such  who  love  the  world 
cannot  receive:  and  therefore  in  your  carnal  hearts  ima- 
gine carnal  things,  comparing  heavenly  things  with 
earthly,  and  praising  the  present  world,  and  conforming 
to  it,  loving  and  worshipping  the  creature  more  than  the 
'creator;  therefore  hath  God  appointed  a  day,  wherein 


(   359  ) 


ne  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness,  and  give  a  just 
recompense,  when  the  Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 
Heaven  with  a  shout,  and  the  voice  of  the  arch-angel, 
the  quick  and  the  dead  to  judge,  and  the  dead  in  Christ 
shall  rise  first,  as  saith  the  scripture:  wherefore  blessed 
are  they  that  die  in  the  Lord,  but  woe  to  you  who  die  in 
your  sins  at  that  day,  who  neither  live  nor  die  in  the 
faith  of  Christ ;  but  you  are  they  who  live  and  die  in  that 
faith  that  you  cannot  be  set  free  from  sin  while  you  live ; 
for  this  is  not  the  faith  of  Christ,  nor  did  ever  any  of  his 
profess  it,  or  die  in  it,  but  believed  in  him  that  is  able  to 
save  to  the  uttermost  all  that  come  to  God  by  him.  So 
as  is  your  faith  unclean,  so  shall  you  be  in  your  resurrec- 
tion; for  all  that  die  in  that  faith,  die  in  their  sins. 

But  to  such  busy  minds  who  are  saying,  how  are  the 
dead  raised?  And  w  ith  what  bodies  do  they  come?  I 
say,  to  such  the  apostles  words  are  very  suitable,  thou 
fool,  that  which  thou  sowest  is  not  quickened,  except  it 
die:  so  to  such  I  say,  go  to  the  figure,  and  read  if  thou 
canst  with  all  thy  curious  wisdom,  which  is  foolishness 
with  God,  for  to  such  the  parable  is,  but  the  mystery 
is  sealed  with  the  sons  of  God;  nor  can  any  ever  know 
with  what  bodies  they  shall  arise;  but  who  comes  to  the 
flesh  of  Christ,  and  discerns  his  body,  the  sight  whereof, 
in  the  life,  slays  the  serpent,  and  opens  the  mystery,  till 
then  cursed  is  he  that,  by  his  earthly  wisdom,  presumes 
to  reveal  that  which  God  hath  sealed  and  hidden  from 
the  serpent's  wisdom.  So  you  that  are  wise  in  your  own 
eyes,  you  may  read  1  Cor.  15.  and  you  may  see  the 
apostle  speaks  plain  words  to  that  purpose;  and  if  you 
cannot  understand  his  speech,  neither  can  you  do  mine: 
yet  do  the  sons  of  God,  who  are  born  of  the  incorrupti- 
ble seed  believe,  and  in  measure  understand  the  incor- 
ruptible body  that  shall  never  wax  old :  therefore  do  give 
up  the  corruptible  to  be  tortured  by  the  wills  of  the 
wicked  and  bloody  persecuters,  for  the  honour  of  him 
who  hath  called  us  thereto,  by  whom  the  inward  man  is 
daily  renewed,  though  the  outw^ard  man  perish,  and  from 
whom  we  have  assurance,  that  when  this  earthly  taber  - 
nacle is  dissolved,  we  shall  be  clothed  on  from  above; 
which  clothing  we  see  by  faith,  not  by  what  the  carna^ 


(   360  ) 


€aii  see  or  comprehend  ;  for  that  which  is  seen  is  tem- 
poral, but  that  which  is  not  seen  is  eternal ;  and  all  flesh 
is  not  the  same,  nor  are  all  bodies  earthly,  for  there  are 
heavenly  bodies,  and  there  are  earthly  bodies;  yet  can- 
not the  earthly  reveal  the  heavenly,  nor  judge  of  them  : 
even  so  is  the  resurrection  of  the  dead:  he  that  hath  an 
ear  let  him  hear;  but  flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God,  neither  doth  corruption  inherit  incor- 
ruption. 

And  this  I  say  to  all,  who  desire  to  attain  the  resur- 
rection from  the  dead,  and  to  be  counted  worthy  thereof, 
consult  not  with  flesh  and  blood  about  it,  nor  seek  to 
comprehend  it  in  thy  reason,  lest  thou  lose  it,  and  be- 
come brutish  in  thy  judgment;  but  in  the  light  wait, 
which  shews^  the  old  man's  deeds,  that  out  of  darkness 
thou  mayst  be  led,  to  obtain  the  new  birth  and  first  resur- 
rection in  Christ;  and  as  thou  becomest  conformable  to 
the  image  of  the  heavenly,  so  shalt  thou  see  the  resur- 
rection, the  power  and  purity  thereof:  but  the  woeful 
estate  of  the  wicked,  who  die  not  in  the  Lord,  who  are 
talking  of  the  resurrection,  but  the  old  man  still  living, 
so  live,  and  so  die,  that  resurrection  is  to  eternal  destruc- 
tion. Hearken  all  you  busy  minds,  whose  ear  is  open  to 
mischief. 


HOW  SIN  IS  STRENGTHENED,  AND  HOW  IT  IS  OVERCOME. 

That  sin  is  in  the  world,  and  that  all  are  thereby 
become  children  of  wrath,  is  generally  believed  and 
confessed  by  all ;  but  how  sin  is  strengthened  in  mea 
and  women  against  God  and  their  own  souls,  or  how  it 
is  overcome,  few  there  be  that  have  learned  or  mind  to 
know ;  yet  for  their  sakes  that  do,  I  do  here  declare  some- 
what of  that  which  I  have  received  from  him,  who  is 
faithful  and  true  in  all  his  testimony. 

And  this  I  find,  that  as  sin  got  rooting  at  first  through 
lust,  so  till  this  day  it  hath  its  strength,  by  the  desires 
going  forth  to  afifect  or  lust  after  something,  whether 
spiritual  or  carnal,  ab3ve,  before,  or  besides  what  that 
eternal  spirit  by  which  man  was  created,  doth  communi- 
cate to  him,  or  beget  in  him ;  for  the  eye  of  mankind  be- 
ing blinded  by  the  God  of  this  world,  which  eye  should 
look  unto  God  for  all;  there  is  an  eye  of  unbelief  open, 
which  looks  into  the  visibles,  and  gives  occasion  for  the 
lust  to  conceive  in  the  mind,  affections  and  desires,  after 
something  which  the  spirit  of  God  leads  not  to,  for  the 
obtaining  whereof,  all  tiie  power  and  wisdom  that  is  in 
man  is  set  on  work,  and  this  becomes  sin  both  in  the 
desires  and  actions;  and  the  more  it  is  followed,  the 
stronger  it  is;  for  whatever  is  hereby  obtained,  becomes 
a  treasure  of  wickedness,  laid  up  in  the  habitation  of 
the  wicked  one,  whereby  the  lust  is  increased,  and  the 
seed  of  God  burthened  and  buried,  whereby  the  creature 
becomes  daily  more  tmsensible,  of  the  will  of  God,  and 
the  movings  of  that  pure  spirit  which  should  keep  the 
creature  alive  to  the  creator,  and  draw  the  mind  wholly 
up  to  the  father,  on  him  alone  to  wait  for  a  supply  in  ali 
things,  both  for  soul  and  body. 

And  every  desire  that  springs  from  this  root  being  suf- 
fered to  go  forth,  defiles  the  man,  and  brings  in  that 
which  oppresseth  the  just,  until  by  continuance  man 
grows  into  the  nature  of  the  enmity,  and  the  imagina- 
tions of  the  heart  be  wholly  evil,  and  that  which  should 
give  the  knowledge  of  God  buried,  and  in  many  that 
which  should  give  the  knowledge  of  sin  also,  whcrebv 

46 


(  362  ) 


man  becomes  past  feeling,  utterly  dead  in  sms  and  tres- 
passes heaped  upon  the  just  against  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, which  becomes  by  custom  as  natural  to  commit, 
as  for  the  ox  to  drink  water;  yea  with  greediness  doth 
man  in  this  condition  hunt  after  his  own  destruction, 
having  dam'd  up  the  way  of  life  in  himself  by  often 
transgressing  it,  and  is  become  degenerate  from  the  na- 
ture of  God,  having  received  in,  and  willingly  joined  to 
that  nature  of  satan,  which  as  a  leaven  hath  and  doth 
work  into  its  own  nature  all  that  receive  it,  or  yield  unto 
it,  whom  as  they  grow  therein,  there  springs  up  fruits  of 
the  same  root  and  nature,  which  they  bring  forth  in  his 
time  and  opportunity,  with  liking  and  delight,  being  fur- 
nished with  all  subtility,  to  colour  them  over,  and  plead 
for  them,  being  in  covenant  and  agreement  with  sin, 
some  in  one  thing,  and  some  in  another,  every  one  plead- 
ing the  allowance  of  that  sin  with  God  which  most 
suits  their  lusts,  pride,  profit  or  pleasure ,  credit  or  es- 
teem in  the  world,  or  some  self-end,  and  at  these  they 
take  counsel,  and  not  at  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  to  know 
what  is  sin,  and  what  is  no  sin,  but  none  will  believe  that 
they  can  be  set  free  from  ^11  sin  by  him  who  testifies 
against  all  sin  in  spirit;  and  in  all  this  the  man  of  sin 
hath  his  kingdom  by  consent,  for  they  being  willing  to 
keep  covenant  with  him  in  one  evil,  are  guilty  of  all. 

Now  the  way  to  evercome  all  this,  and  him  that  hatli 
his  power  therein,  is  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  light, 
and  life,  and  way  to  the  father;  for  without  believing 
there  can  be  no  victory ;  but  in  the  faithful  following  of 
him,  and  patient  bearing  his  cross,  and  enduring  his  suf- 
ferings, comes  the  enmity  to  be  slain,  and  captivity  led 
captive,  and  man  set  at  liberty  in  the  holy  seed,  to  serve 
the  father  in  spirit  and  life  again. 

And  first,  Christ  as  he  is  the  light  of  the  world, 
must  be  believed,  for  so  he  comes  to  manifest  and  reprove 
the  deeds  of  darkness,  and  to  make  a  separation  be- 
tween the  works  of  God,  and  the  works  of  the  devil  in 
the  mind  and  spirit  of  the  creature,  and  to  let  them  see 
what  spirit  doth  exercise  their  minds  and  affections,  and 
the  fruits  of  each  spirit,  and  the  moving  and  working  of 
each  spirit  severally,  without  which  none  can  rightly 


363  ) 


know  what  is  to  be  destroyed,  and  what  saved ;  what 
to  join  to.  and  what  to  war  against ;  for  by  this  light  alone 
comes  man  to  the  knowledge  of  sin  in  himself,  in  the 
ground  and  root  of  it,  and  every  motion  thereof;  foi 
though  the  letter,  or  something  without,  may  show  what 
IS  sin  by  its  fruits  when  it  is  brought  forth,  yet  it  is  the 
work  of  the  spirit  to  discover  spiritual  wickedness  in  its 
first  motion,  which  is  the  only  place  to  kill  it  e'er  it  be- 
:omp  sin  ;  and  this  light  must  be  believed,  and  diligently 
minded  all  along,  for  such  is  the  subtility  of  the  enemy, 
having  got  power  over  the  will  and  senses  of  man,  that 
le  will  set  them  to  war  against  the  creature,  and  des- 
troy the  creation,  rather  than  that  of  his  which  defiles 
the  creature.  And  this  cannot  be  avoided  any  other 
wa}  but  by  minding  the  light  of  Christ,  to  separate  that 
.vhich  is  but  to  be  cleansed,  from  that  which  is  to  be 
iestroyed,and  this  man  cannot  do  without  the  spirit,  it 
eing  a  spiritual  work,  though  he  never  so  much  seeks 
after  it. 

And  here  is  the  cause  why  many  are  kept  at  hard  la- 
bour all  their  lime,  and  nevei*  come  clear  out  of  sin  and 
nncleanness,  even  not  believing  in  that  which  hath  the 
power  to  separate  and  lead  out  of  the  evil,  but  without 
the  single  eye  they  are  at  work  in  the  dark,  and  see 
not  a  clear  separation  in  the  body.  And  hence  it  is  that 
some  destroy  themselves,  in  seeking  to  destroy  sin,  not 
minding  the  light  of  the  saviour,  is  led  by  the  destroyer, 
fighting  against  that  which  Christ  comes  to  save,  whilst 
he  that  comes  to  destroy  lies  hid  in  the  dark:  but  he 
that  believes  in  that  which  manifests  all  things,  reproves 
all  things,  and  judges  all  things,  with  that  light  shall  be 
led  what  to  war  against,  and  what  to  join  with  all  along 
in  the  work,  for  he  alone  is  the  covenant  of  light,  and 
given  for  a  leader,  which  whosoever  believes  and  fol- 
lows, shall  not  err  in  judgment  or  practice,  but  unbelief 
therein,  is  the  cause  why  there  are  so  many  blind  guides, 
and  many  people  die  in  their  sins. 

And  thus  he  is  the  way  of  God,  and  is  to  be  believed 
in,  to  wit,  as  he  manifests  the  works  of  the  devil  apart 
from  the  work  of  God,  condemning  the  one  in  the  flesh, 
and  justifying  the  other  in  the  spirit :  and  as  he  roanifestf 


(  ) 


every  spirit  with  its  workings,  motions  and  ends,  the 
ground  and  offspring,  whence  they  come,  and  whither 
they  return,  that  thereby  the  creature  may  know  who 
it  is  that  exercises  his  n^ind  and  members,  and  to  what 
spirit  he  yields  himself  in  his  obedience  and  service,  and 
so  may  come  to  know  the  use  and  end  of  all  his  works, 
what  to  choose,  and  what  to  refuse;  what  to  justify^find 
what  to  condemn  in  its  first  motion,  before  it  be  brought 
forth  or  formed  in  the  womb,  that  judgment  may  be  kepi 
on  the  head  of  transgression,  and  liberty  proclaimed  to 
the  just. 

And  for  want  of  faith  and  feeling  of  this  way  of 
Christ,  it  is  that  so  many  perish  in  sin,  and  yet  seem  to 
strive  against  sin,  even  because  they  cannot  believe  that 
to  be  sufficient  to  save  from  sin,  which  manifests  sin  in 
the  ground,  and  condemns  it  in  its  first  motion,  which  if 
they  did  but  in  faith  join  with  him  to  condemn  sin  in  the 
ground, temptation,  and  motion,  it  would  die  and  wither, 
and  not  be  able  long  to  live  or  prevail:  and  if  it  for  a 
time  should  prevail  in  the  members,  yet  not  to  condem- 
nation, for  I  have  found  a  great  difference  between  sin 
condemned  in  the  creature,  though  not  yet  wholly  dead, 
and  sin  lived  in,  and  pleaded  for;  for  if  thy  life  and 
judgment  be  in  that  alone  which  condenms  sin,  then  art 
thou  dead  to  sin,  and  alive  to  Christ;  and  it  is  no  more 
thou  that  sins,  but  sin  that  yet  remains  in  thee,  to  which 
thou  art  dead,  to  which  thou  dost  not  consent,  like  nor 
approve  of,  nor  any  way  add  any  strength  thereto;  but 
thy  faith  and  love,  delight  and  strength  is  in  him,  which 
condemns  it:  he  that  truly  is  in  this  faith  and  love,  by 
the  working  thereof  shall  all  his  enemies  perish,  and  by 
that  faith  and  love  shall  the  just  live  in  that  creature, 
and  he  in  him  condemning  and  killing  sin  till  it  all  be 
done  away,  and  the  creature  of  God  found  alive  in  him 
alone,  who  without  spot  will  present  him  to  the  father: 
for  this  I  have  found,  that  that  which  manifests  sin  in 
its  first  motion,  judges  it  there,  and  condemns  it  there, 
hath  the  only  power  to  kill  sin  e're  it  be  committed,  and 
so  hath  only  power  to  save  from  condemnation;  for  this 
you  shall  find,  that  as  Christ  doth  not  live  to  justifica- 
tion, \yhere  he  is  not  believed  and  justified,  loved,  fol- 


(   365  ) 


uvved,  and  confessed,  so  sin  doth  not  live  to  eondemna- 
tion  where  it  is  hated,  condemned,  and  denied;  for 
where  that  spirit  of  wickedness  is  seen  in  the  light,  and 
separated  from,  and  judged  apart  from  the  creature, the 
creature  joining  in  judgment  with  the  just,  there  sin  will 
whiten,  and  satan  flee,  for  there  he  hath  no  kingdom,  nor 
a  hiding  habitation;  for  the  light  being  minded,  and 
judgment  having  free  passage  and  consent,  it  searcheth 
out  his  hidden  things,  and  judgment  passeth  upon  all  his 
deceit,  root  and  ground,  with  his  fruits;  so  is  the  strong 
man  spoiled,  and  his  stuff  by  faith  in  Christ,  and  not  by 
strength  of  the  creature,  but  by  believing  the  just,  and 
denying  the  unjust. 

For  according  to  every  man's  faith,  so  shall  he  receive 
from  God:  now  he  that  believes  salvation,  and  that 
cleaves  to,  and  lives  in  some  sin,  and  pleads  for  it,  and 
believes  he  must  do  so,  his  faith  stands  in  an  unclean 
thing,  and  an  unclean  thing  will  live  by  that  faith,  and 
be  justified  by  that  creature;  and  in  his  justifying  any 
thing  that  is  unclean,  therein  is  the  just  condemned ;  and 
the  just  being  condemned  which  should  give  dominion 
over  the  unclean,  the  wild  plant  hath  its  liberty  to  grow 
until  it  overspread  the  plant  of  God,  and  cover  the  man, 
wholly  stop  the  ear,  and  blind  the  eye,  and  hardens  the 
heart  against  every  motion  to  good, or  check  for  evil; 
and  let  not  this  man  look  for  good  fruit,  but  after  his 
faith  who  so  believes. 

Also,  on  the  contrary,  he  that  feels  a  strife  in  himself 
between  the  clean  and  the  unclean,  and  sees  the  one  re- 
prove for  sin,  and  the  other  plead  for  sin,  and  believes  in 
that  which  is  pure,  clean  and  just,  which  condemns  the 
unjust  and  unclean,  that  faith  stands  in  that  which  is 
pure,  and  the  mystery  of  it  is  held  in  a  pure  conscience ; 
and  that  pure  faith  being  followed,  will  purify  the  heart, 
and  cleanse  the  hands  from  unjust  actions;  and  by  that 
faith  the  just  lives,  and  grows  and  springs,  and  brings 
forth,  and  the  pure  plant  spreads  and  covers  the  earth 
with  the  knowledge  of  God,  his  holiness  and  purity,  and 
all  grace  in  the  heart,  which  becomes  as  a  working  leav- 
en, till  it  hath  wrought  out  the  unclean  nature,  and  con- 
formed the  whole  man  to  himself;  and  this  is  a  work  of 


(  366  ) 


the  holy  faith,  which  none  can  receive,  but  who  believe^ 
in  holiness;  for  none  can  bring  clean  fruit  out  of  an  un- 
clean faith. 

And  this  further,  for  the  encouragement  of  such  as 
honestly  indeed  would  be  rid  of  their  sin,  and  set  free  to 
serve  God  in  holiness  without  deceit,  thou  feeling  in  thee 
the  moving  of  that  which  is  not  holy,  bearing  witness  a- 
gainst  that  which  is  contrary  to  holiness,  and  condemn- 
ing it,  and  thee  for  joining  with  it  in  all  thy  conversa- 
tion: I  say,  in  that  believe,  for  that  is  all  thou  knowest 
of  Christ  in  thee;  and  believing  and  following  it,  thou 
wilt  feel  it  making  a  separation  in  thy  inward  man,  be- 
twixt that  which  Christ  comes  to  save,  and  that  which 
he  comes  to  destroy;  for  this  is  he  that  comes  from  a- 
bove,  to  set  before  thee  life  and  death  divided,  that  thoa 
joining  to  the  life,  and  believing,  mayest  be  saved  from 
death:  And  as  thou  art  faithful  to  tliis  spirit  which  con- 
demns sin  in  the  flesh,  so  thou  wilt  feel  warring  against, 
and  working  out  sin  daily,  to  which  if  thou  clearly  join, 
denying  that  which  it  condemns,  then  art  thou  one  spir- 
it witii  him  in  his  work,  and  art  no  longer  in  the  flesh, 
nor  to  be  condemned  with  that  sin  remaining  in  the  flesh, 
but  art  one  in  him  that  condemns  sin,  and  self  in  sinning, 
till  sin  becomes  exceeding  sinful  in  thy  eyes,  as  it  is  in 
the  eyes  of  God;  and  as  thou  growest  in  love  and  liking 
with  that  pure  spirit,  its  laws  and  leadings,  so  thou  wilt 
become  dead  to  the  law  of  sin,  and  it  will  lose  its  power 
in  thee,  not  being  minded,  loved  and  served,  thy  mind, 
love  and  fear  being  exercised  in  that  which  condemns 
it;  and  here  that  faith  that  works  by  love  takes  the 
victory,  and  not  thy  striving  in  thy  own  strength,  only 
from  a  sight  of  sin  by  the  law,  for  by  the  works  of  the 
law  thou  canst  not  be  justified,  but  by  the  working  of 
faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  spirit;  and  as  thou  feelest  his 
working  in  thee,  and  thou  one  with  him  therein,  in  his 
work  thou  art  justified,  and  by  beholding  of  him  in  this 
faith,  thou  wilt  be  changed  into  his  likeness  by  his  migh- 
ty pcnver  working  in  thee,  even  by  that  spirit  to  which 
thou  art  turned :  And  as  he  grows  in  thee,  and  thou  in 
him,  thou  wilt  feel  that  power  arising  which  will  make 
tjiee  able  to  answer  a  good  conscience,  and  give  lasting 


(  367  ) 


dace,  and  so  by  his  resurrection  shall  be  saved  from 
condemnation,  from  which  thy  own  works  will  not  save 
thee,  and  this  work  will  go  on  with  joy,  if  thy  heart  be 
honest;  for  seeing  him  that  is  holy  set  before  thee  con- 
demning sin,  and  his  holiness  and  beauty  in  all  his  mo- 
tions doth  so  delight  the  honest  heart,  to  see  such  a  glo- 
ry and  beauty  near  thee,  that  it  makes  the  way  easy  af- 
ter him  for  the  joy  that  is  set  before  thee;  for  iu  all  thy 
tribulations,  trials,  and  tem})tations,  this  faith  will  pre- 
sent him  before  thee  ;  and  this  made  the  saints  of  old  en- 
dure the  cross,  and  despise  the  shame,  and  bear  the  re- 
proach after  him  joyfully,  following  the  lamb  in  all  his 
leadings. 

So  thou  that  lovest  holiness,  it  is  near  thee;  power 
over  sin  and  Satan  is  near  thee ;  salvation  is  at  hand  ;  go 
not  forth  to  seek  that  abroad  which  thou  hast  lost  in  thy 
own  house ;  he  is  thy  salvation  that  condemns  sin  in  thy 
bosom:  he  that  reproves  the  wicked  is  with  thee:  he 
that  is  pure  is  thy  peace:  he  that  never  consented  to  sin, 
but  stands  a  witness  against  it :  if  thou  have  such  a  spirit 
in  thee,  thou  hast  the  spirit  of  Christ  the  Saviour. 

So  take  heed  unto  him,  to  believe  in  him,  and  to  mind 
his  leading,  and  to  follow  him;  if  thou  part  not  from  him, 
he  will  be  thy  everlasting  peace,  and  over-ruling  power 
to  subdue  thy  sins ;  and  by  him  shalt  thou  tread  dow^n 
strength  with  ease  and  delight,  and  shalt  be  able  to  say 
with  such  as  were  come  to  the  same  spirit,  Greater  is  he 
that  is  in  thee,  than  he  that  is  in  the  world ;  and  only 
that  faith  that  sees  him  hath  power  to  overcome  the 
world ;  for  he  that  beholds  his  glory,  treads  the  w^orld's 
glory  under  his  feet ;  for  whatsoever  is  seen  in  him,  doth 
so  far  exceed  all  other  things,  that  it  takes  the  mind 
out  of  all  other  delights,  and  leaves  them  empty ;  so  that 
things  in  heaven,  and  things  on  earth,  principalities  nor 
powers  are  able  to  separate  thee  from  the  love  of  him. 
how  much  more  wilt  thou  leave  thy  delight  in  sin,  when 
thou  comest  to  delight  in  him'  His  Jove  will  constrain 
thee,  who  loves  purity,  and  hath  found  it,  for  this  is  joy 
indeed,  and  love  unspeakable,  when  his  soul  finds  that 
treasure  in  his  own  house  freely  given,  which  he  hath 
long  been  seeking  abroad,  and  could  never  purchase., 
neither  with  life  nor  estate 


(  368  ) 


And  the  more  thou  beholdest  him,  the  more  will  his 
glory  and  love  appear;  for  as  thou  in  the  light  behold- 
est the  pure  motions  of  the  holy  one,  thou  wilt  come  to 
see  what  thou  art  without  him,  and  what  thy  wants  are, 
without  which  thou  canst  not  be  happy,  and  that  thou 
canst  not  have  a  lasting  peace  till  with  his  virtue  thou 
be  filled,  and  with  his  glory  covered,  and  with  his  pow- 
er armed  against  every  temptation;  all  which  he  will 
make  theeheir  of  with  him,  as  thou  mindest  to  be  faith- 
ful, and  hearkens  to  his  movings,  to  obey  them  in  all 
things,  who  thereby  will  lead  thee  his  way  by  which  he 
obtained  all  this  glory  and  power,  and  this  inheritance 
from  the  father;  in  which  way  thou  wilt  find  a  cross  to 
all  thy  own  ways,  and  to  the  world's  spirit  in  all  things  : 
which  will  be  easy  if  thou  keep  thy  eye  single  to  him 
who  is  set  before  thee  therein,  his  glory,  and  the  gaining 
thereof:  but  if  thou  look  back  into  the  world,  thou  look- 
est  into  temptation  without  him,  and  there  the  spirit  of 
the  world  presents  thee  with  loss,  and  not  with  gain,  set- 
ting before  thee  what  thou  must  forego,  w  ith  all  the  hard- 
ships and  impossibilities  that  may  be,  but  no  power  to 
bear  it;  but  keeping  the  eye  to  him,  thou  hast  always 
power  and  peace  before  thee  in  thy  way,  the  hope  there- 
of will  be  as  an  anchor,  and  the  faith  a  shield,  and  the 
iove  will  give  thee  life  to  undergo  all  the  trials  for  his 
sake,  bearing  his  cross  daily,  which  must  part  thee  and 
thy  sins,  and  crucify  the  worldly  spirit  with  the  lust  there- 
of, and  kill  all  that  yet  wars  against  thy  soul  and  keeps 
thee  from  thy  inheritance ;  wherefore  it  is  called,the  great 
power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

And  as  thou  becomest  faithful  thereto,  thou  wilt  feel 
the  friut  of  that  holy  one  springing  in  thee,  moving  to  be 
brought  forth  in  thee  towards  God  and  man,'  thy  faith 
will  grow,  and  prayers  with  strong  cries  to  the  father; 
as  the  spirit  sees  thy  wants,  thy  love  will  spring  and  move 
in  thee,  and  bring  forth  towards  God  and  man  upon  all 
occasions;  which  if  thou  willingly  serve  in  its  smallest 
motion,  it  will  increase,  but  if  thou  quench  it  in  its  mo- 
vings, and  refuse  to  bring  it  forth,  it  will  wither  and  dry 
m  thee,  not  being  exercised. 


(   369  ) 


And  it  is  the  like  of  gentleness,  meekness,  patience, 
and  all  other  virtues  which  are  of  a  springing  and 
spreading  liature,  where  they  are  not  quenched,  but  suf- 
fered to  come  forth  to  his  praise  in  his  will  and  time, 
who  is  the  begetter  thereof,  and  to  the  comfort  of  his 
own  seed,  and  cross  to  the  world:  and  if  thou  be  faithful 
daily  to  ofter  up  thy  body  as  a  sacritice,  to  bring  forth 
his  image,  name,  and  power  before  his  enemies,  then 
what  he  moves  thee  to  bring  forth  shall  be  tny  mheri- 
tance,  and  will  daily  increase  with  using;  but  if  thou 
wilt  not  give  up  for  his  name^ssake,  but  would  hold  the 
treasure,  and  escape  the  reproach,  then  will  it  be  taken 
from  thee,  and  given  to  him  who  will  yield^the  Lord  of  'to 
the  vineyard  his  fruit  in  due  season;  for  that  which  the 
father  freely  begets,  he  will  have  freely  brought  forth, 
that  the  shining  thereof  in  the  dark  world  may  praise 
iiim. 

What  a  glory  is  it  to  see  peace  shine  in  the  midst  of 
war,  love  in  the  midst  of  hatred,  meekness  in  the  midst 
of  strife,  righteous  judgment  in  the  midst  of  wickedness, 
innocency  in  the  midst  of  violence  and  oppression;  as  a 
lilly  amongst  thorns,  so  is  that  of  God  amongst  the  men 
of  the  world;  and  therein  doth  his  nature  and  beauty 
appear  in  his  temple,  to  which  all  must  confess,  and 
praise  him  therein. 

This  is  the  glorious  day  which  many  have  talked  on, 
and  those  only  are  the  children  of  it,  in  whom  the 
brightness  shines  foth;  that  which  Gud  begets  in  thee  is 
his  son,  confess  him  in  the  midst  of  his  enemies,  and 
thereby  is  the  father  glorified,  and  his  son  crowned:  but 
if  thou  deniest  him  to  testify  against  the  world,  he  will 
deny  thee  his  life  to  redeem  thee  from  the  evil  of  it;  the 
breaking  forth  of  the  son  is  the  beginning  of  the  good 
day,  when  that  which  so  long  hath  condemned  thee  for 
sin,  comes  to  shine  forth  freely  in  acts  of  rigieousness, 
then  shall  thy  darkness  be  turned  into  light,  thy  con- 
demnation into  peace,  thy  sorrow  for  sin,  to  rejoice  in 
holiness;  and  this  will  be  a  good  day  to  thee, even  the 
day  of  the  Lord's  righteousness  and  redemption  to  thy 
soul,  and  a  witness  to  all  men  of  the  appearance  of  the 
just  one:  which  testimony  whosoever  refuseth  to  bear. 

47 


(   370  ) 


all  his  religion  will  prove  in  vain,  and  consists  in  words 
without  power. 

There  is  a  way  in  which  the  barren  becomes  fruitful, 
and  a  little  is  more  serviceable  to  God  than  he  that 
hath  great  riches  for  himself;  you  that  see  your  wants 
are  nigh  it,  and  the  lowly  mind  will  soonest  follow  it; 
and  for  the  honest  hearted  it  is  prepared,  who  seek  to 
serve  God,  and  not  yourselves.  If  you  take  heed  to 
your  own  ways,  and  make  nothing  in  your  minds,  you 
must  not  create  that  w^hich  must  stand  before  God,  for 
he  will  be  served  with  his  own  begettings  in  you. 

Take  heed  therefore  that  you  make  nothing  to  your- 
selves, nor  murder  that  which  he  freely  begets,  but  let 
your  minds  be  always  heavenly,  waiting  with  patience 
in  that  which  lets  you  see  your  wants  therewith,  that 
your  hearts  may  be  open  always  upward  towards  God 
the  father  of  every  good  gift;  and  you  being  hid  in  the 
heavenly  mind  from  that  nature  which  compasseth  the 
earth  in  its  comprehensions,  and  would  compass  Heav- 
en also ;  and  waiting  in  a  cross  to  that  mind,  as  you  come 
into  the  patient  stillness,  you  will  seal  the  begettings  of 
the  father  moving  in  you  to  be  brought  forth,  to  which 
you  must  become  servants,  setting  aside  all  subtility, 
and  that  which  is  hasty,  and  whatever  is  your  own,  or 
hath  an  end  to  yourselves,  and  in  the  pure  mind  behold 
what  way  this  moves  its  appearance  against  the  worldly 
spirit,  that  with  your  whole  hearts  and  might  you  may 
bring  it  forth  in  its  own  image,  without  reasoning  or  con- 
sulting with  any  thing  of  your  own,  or  any  thing  of  this 
world,  for  this  ariseth  in  a  contrary  nature  to  that  which 
is  one  with  the  world,  bears  another  image  and  fruit, 
and  hath  another  glory  in  its  appearance,  in  which  the 
father  alone  is  glorified,  even  in  this  his  son  of  his  own 
free  begetting;  and  herein  is  the  father  glorified,  that  he 
be  brought  forth  with  his  fruits  into  the  world,  who 
thereby  is  knov\  n  how  far  he  is  above  and  contrary  to 
the  worldly  spirit,  both  in  the  ground,  root,  and  off- 
spring. 

And  whosoever  will  give  up  themselves  to  serve  him 
herein  by  his  increase,  shall  become  rich  towards  God, 
and  increase  in  strength  daily  against  the  world,  and  by 


(   371  ) 


bringing  forth,  and  by  his  beauty  in  holiness,  shall  be- 
eome  glorious  and  beloved  in  the  sight  of  the  father, 
whose  image  and  begetting  they  bear,  wherein  they 
shall  become  heirs  of  the  eternal  glory. 

But  if  you  look  into  the  earthly  mind,  there  the 
worldly  spirit  meets  you  with  his  counsel,  and  consulting 
and  reasoning  therewith,  you  take  counsel  in  the  night, 
from  which  the  counsel  of  God  is  hid,  his  work,  the  end 
and  glory  thereof;  and  instead  of  that,  you  will  be  pre- 
sented with  the  pleasure  and  glory  of  this  world,  which 
stand  in  visible  things,  and  is  pleasing  to  the  visible  eye 
and  senses,  which  glory  the  god  of  this  world  sees  into, 
and  leads  into,  in  which  his  wisdom  and  knowledge 
stands,  which  cannot  enter  into  the  invisible  glory  and 
treasure.  And  in  this  spirit  that  knows  not  God,  nor 
his  works,  but  seeks  his  own  glory,  will  you  meet  with 
the  thief  and  murderer,  sons  of  darkness,  who  will  per- 
suade you  strongly  to  murder  the  pure  motion,  and  not 
to  bring  it  forth ;  or  else  so  to  bring  it  forth  as  that  the 
image  thereof  may  be  so  mar'd,as  not  to  bear  its  clear 
and  perfect  testimony  against  the  world's  kingdom,  pow- 
er and  glory:  and  this  you  cannot  avoid  if  you  look 
back  into  his  counsel,  and  consult  with  your  own  rea- 
sonings, wherein  arise^  thoughts,  cares  and  pleasures 
out  of  the  world,  which  cumber  the  mind,  choak  the 
seed,  and  cover  the  pearl  with  earthly  affections  and 
lusts,  which  continually  harden  the  heart,  and  strength- 
en the  will  against  the  innocent,  and  so  stay  the  just 
spiritually  for  want  of  bringing  forth  in  its  time,  and  ac- 
cording to  its  motion;  which  when  you  have  rejected, 
you  cannot  beget  again  of  yourselves,  nor  in  your  own 
wills,  though  you  may  procure  the  likeness  from  another 
spirit  in  that  nature  which  resists  the  truth,  and  corrupts 
the  mind,  and  brings  forth  in  its  own  will,  as  some  have 
done,  who  having  disobeyed  the  still  motion  of  the  meek 
spirit,  and  looking  for  high  things,  God  hath  given  them 
up  to  a  lofty  spirit,  and  strong  workings  in  a  contrary 
nature,  who  now  have  a  power  wherewith  to  resist  that 
which  first  begot  them  out  of  the  world,  and  a  moving 
spirit  which  draws  towards  the  world  again,  which  be- 
ing got  into  the  place  of  God  (as  Ggd)  makes  them 


(  372  ) 


believe  that  their  return  is  of  the  same  spirit  that  called 
them  out,  to  which  they  yielded  the  same  obedience, 
thenceforth  without  fear,  become  the  same  they  were,  if 
not  seven  fold  worse, without  all  hope  of  recovery;  and 
this  disobedience  becomes  as  witchcraft. 

Wherefore  in  the  fear  of  God  watch  with  all  dili- 
gence, hearken  in  the  simplicity  of  your  hearts,  and  take 
heed  that  you  slip  not  any  time  of  hearings,  nor  prove 
false  in  your  conception  or  bringing  forth,  but  that  both 
calling  and  election  may  be  made  sure  to  you,  not  only 
by  being  in  the  knowledge  of  it,  but  also  by  bringing  it 
forth,  that  it  may  be  your  own  forever;  for  that  which 
you  bring  forth  is  your  inheritance,  and  none  can  take 
it  from  you,  but  you  have  power  therein  against  all  con- 
trary spirits,  which  whilst  it  is  but  in  the  motion,  will 
strongly  tempt,  and  seek  the  life  thereof  to  stifle;  but 
being  brought  forth,  it  is  before  you,  and  only  so  it  is  put 
on  as  a  breastplate,  and  becomes  a  defence,  which  be^ 
ing  begot,  and  not  brought  forth,  it  withers  and  becomes 
as  dry  bones  in  the  womb. 

Therefore,  as  you  must  give  your  minds  wholly  to 
hearken,  so  must  you  give  your  strength  wholly  to  obey: 
and  when  you  feel  the  pure  to  move  in  you,  with  your 
whole  strength  serve  it,  and  bring  it  forth,  give  up  your 
bodies  and  sacrifice  for  his  sake  whom  you  have  not 
seen,  that  his  life  may  be  made  manifest  in  your  mortal 
flesh,  and  through  you  to  the  world,  that  he  may  be  seen 
in  his  brightness  to  you  that  love  him,  and  before  his 
enemies,  then  is  the  body  for  the  Lord,  and  not  for  for- 
nication: but  if  you  rest  in  the  knowledge  of  this  mys- 
tery, and  bring  not  forth  to  life,  with  that  knowledge 
you  commit  fornication,  and  teach  others  to  commit  for- 
nication also ;  this  knowledge  in  the  disobedient  mind 
becomes  the  mother  of  harlots,  and  fornications  of  the 
earth,  with  which  the  kings  of  the  earth  are  deceived, 
but  none  thereby  ever  joined  to  God. 

For  it  is  not  the  hearing  of  the  truth  that  purifies  the 
soul,  but  the  obedience  of  truth  which  makes  the 
vessel  fit  for  the  master's  use,  who  in  this  using,  and  its 
obedience,  makes  it  a  vessel  of  honour,  and  glorifies  his 
son  therein,  in  your  bodies  to  do  the  father's  will  in  the 


(   373  ) 


world,  whereby  the  father  is  glorified  in  the  son,  in  whom 
he  shines  forth,  as  the  father  begets  him  again  in  you, 
and  you  in  him, (who  was  with  the  father  before  the 
world  wasj)©f  his  own  nature  and  good  will,  which  as 
you  receive  again  by  faith  and  obedience,  you  will  be 
changed  into  the  same  image  and  nature,  and  to  delight 
only  therein,  being  born  of  the  same  spirit;  as  he  that  is 
born  of  the  flesh,  delights  in  the  things  of  the  flesh. 


THE'  LAx>lB'K  WAK 

AGADJST  THE 


The  end  of  it,  the  manner  of  it,  and  what  he  wars  against. 
His  weapons,  his  colours,  and  his  kingdom. 

And  how  all  may  know  whether  they  be  in  it,  or  no:  and  whetlier  the  saint 
Christ  be  in  them,  that  is,  was,  and  is  to  come,  and  their  faithfulness  or 
unfaithfulness  to  him. 

The  Lord  God  Almighty,  to  whom  belongs  all  the 
kingdoms  in  Heaven  and  earth,  doth  nothing  therein  but 
by  his  son,  the  lamb,  by  him  he  creates  and  governs;  by 
him  he  saves  and  condemns, judges  and  justifies;  makes 
peace,  and  makes  war,  and  whatsoever  he  doth,  he  is  at 
his  right  hand  in  all  places,  who  in  him  hath  long  suf- 
fered the  burthen  of  iniquity,  and  oppression  of  wick- 
edness that  hath  abounded  for  many  generations,  till  it 
be  come  to  the  full  measure,  as  in  the  days  of  old :  and 
now  his  appearance  in  the  lamb  (as  ever  it  was  when 
iniquity  was  full)  is  to  make  war  with  the  God  of  this 
world,  and  to  plead  with  his  subjects  concerning  their 
revolt  from  him  their  creator,  who  ordered  their  begin- 
ning, and  gave  them  a  being,  and  their  breaking  the  or- 
der that  was  in  the  beginning,  and  giving  up  their  obedi- 
ence to  the  worldly  spirit,  and  the  inventions  thereof, 
till  they  become  so  far  one  with  it,  as  that  it  hath  not 
only  defiled  their  souls  and  bodies,  blinded  their  eyes, 
stopt  their  ears,  and  so  made  the  creature  utterly  un- 
profitable to  God,  and  unfit  for  a  temple  for  him  to  be 
worshipped  in,  or  to  hear  the  voice,  or  understand  the 
mind  of  the  eternal  spirit,  by  which  they  were  created, 
but  that  they  are  also  become  open  enemies  to  every 
check  and  reproof  of  that  spirit  which  should  lead 
them  to  God,  and  doth  testify  against  their  evil  deeds, 
and  are  not  afraid  to  speak  against  it  as  a  thing  not 
worth  the  minding,  nor  able  to  lead  them  in  the  way  of 


(  375  ) 


truth.  Thus  hath  God  lost  the  creature  out  of  his  call 
and  service,  and  he  is  become  one  with  the  God  of  this 
world,  to  serve  and  obey  him  in  ways  that  do  despite  to 
the  spirit  of  grace;  and  now  use  the  creation  against 
the  creator.  Now  against  this  evil  seed,  and  its  whole 
work  brought  forth  in  that  nature,  doth  the  lamb  make 
war.  to  take  vengeance  of  his  enemies. 

THE  END  OF  HIS   W  AR  IS, 

To  judge  this  deceiver  openly  before  all  the  creation, 
iiewing  that  his  ways,  fashions,  and  customs,  are  not 
V  hat  God  ordered  for  man  to  live  in,  in  the  beginning,  to 
jind  him,  and  to  redeem  him  out  of  his  captivity,  all 
who  will  but  believe  in  the  lamb,  and  are  weary  of  this 
prvice  and  bondage  to  his  enemy,  and  who  will  but  come 
turth  and  give  their  names  and  hearts  to  join  with  him, 
and  bear  his  image  and  testimony  openly  before  all 
men,  and  willingly  follow  him  in  such  ways  wherein  the 
father  hath  given  him  victory  over  this  power,  for  him- 
self, and  all  that  follow  him,  to  redeem  them  to  God; 
and  the  rest  who  will  not  believe  and  follow  him,  and 
bear  his  image,  them  to  condemn  with  the  destroyer  into 
everlasting  destruction,  and  to  restore  all  things,  and 
make  all  things  new,  as  they  were  in  the  beginning,  that 
God  alone  may  rule  in  his  own  work. 

TUE  MANNER  OF  HIS  WAE  15, 

First,  that  he  may  be  just  who  is  to  judge  all  men 
and  spirits,  he  gives  his  light  unto  their  hearts,  even 
of  man  and  woman,  whereby  he  lets  all  see  (who  will 
mind  it)  what  he  is  displeased  with,  what  is  with  him; 
and  what  is  against  him;  what  he  owns,  and  what  he 
disowns,  that  so  all  may  know  what  is  for  destruction, 
to  come  out  of  it,  lest  they  be  destroyed  with  it,  that  so 
he  may  save  and  receive  all  that  are  not  wilfully  disobe- 
dient, and  hardened  in  the  pleasures  of  this  world, 
against  him;  all  who  are  deceived,  who  are  willing  to 
be  undeceived;  all  who  are  captivated,  who  are  willing 
to  be  set  free;  all  that  are  in  darkness,  and  are  willing 
to  come  to  light.  In  a  word  all  that  love  righteousness 
hem.  nor  they  fight  against  him,  and  know  it  not,  but 


(   376  ) 


that  he  may  receive  them, to  be  one  with  him  against  that 
more  than  the  pleasures  of  sin,  that  he  may  not  destroy 
which  hath  misled  anddeceivek  them;  and  as  many  as 
turn  at  his  reproof,  he  doth  receive,  and  give  them  power 
in  spirit  and  life  to  be  as  he  is,  in  their  measure,  butall 
in  watching,  and  wars  against  that  which  hath  had 
them,  and  now  has  the  rest  of  the  creation  in  bondage, 
that  he  may  restore  all  things  to  their  former  liberty. 

WHAT  THEY  ARE  TO  WAR  AGAINST. 

And  that  is,  whatever  is  not  of  God,  whatever  the 
eye  (which  loves  the  world)  lusts  after;  whatever  the 
flesh  takes  delight  in,  and  whatever  stands  in  respect  of 
persons  {3.s  saith  the  Scripture)  the  lust  of  the  eye,  the 
lust  of  the  flesh  and  the  pride  of  life,  these  are  not  of 
God;  and  whatever  the  God  of  the  world  hath  begotten 
in  mens  hearts  to  practise  or  to  plead  for,  which  God 
did  not  place  there,  all  this  the  lamb  and  his  followers 
war  against,  which  is  at  enmity  with  it,  both  in  them- 
selves, and  wherever  they  see  it;  for  in  the  work  of  God 
alone  is  his  kingdom,  and  all  other  works  will  he  destroy. 
So  their  wars  are  not  against  creatures,  they  wrestle 
not  with  flesh  and  blood  which  God  hath  made,  but  with 
spiritual  wickedness,  exalted  in  the  hearts  of  men  and 
women,  where  God  alone  should  be,  and  pleaded  for,  by 
which  they  become  enemies  to  God,  and  their  souls  are 
destroyed.  Indeed  their  war  is  against  the  whole  work 
and  device  of  the  God  of  this  world,  his  laws,  his  cus- 
toms, his  fashions,  his  inventions,  and  all  which  are  to 
add  to,  or  take  from  the  v^ork  of  God,  which  was  in 
the  beginning;  this  is  all  enmity  against  the  lamb  and 
his  followers,  who  are  entered  into  the  covenant  which 
was  in  the  beginning;  and  therefore  no  wonder  why 
they  are  hated  by  the  God  of  this  world,  and  his  subjects, 
who  come  to  spoil  him  of  all  at  once,  and  to  aestroy 
the  whole  body  of  sin,  the  foundation  and  strength  of  his 
kingdom,  and  to  take  the  government  to  himself,  that  God 
may  wholly  rule  in  the  heart  of  man,  and  man  wholly 
live  in  the  work  of  God. 


377  ) 


WHAT  THEIR  WEAPONS  ARE. 

Anil  as  they  war  not  against  mens  persons,  so  thefr 
weapons  are  not  carnal,  nor  hurtful  to  any  of  the  crea- 
tion;  for  the  lamb  comes  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  nov 
the  work  of  God,  and  therefore  at  his  appearance  in  his 
subjects,  he  puts  spiritual  weapons  into  their  hearts  and 
hands;  their  armour  is  the  light,  their  sword  the  spirit 
of  the  father  and  the  son,  their  shield  is  faith  and  pa- 
tience, their  paths  are  prepared  with  the  gospel  of  peace, 
and  good-will  towards  all  the  creation  of  God;  their 
breastplate  is  righteousness  and  holiness  to  God,  their 
minds  are  girt  with  godliness,  and  they  are  covered  with 
salvation,  and  they  are  taught  with  truth.  And  thus  the 
lamb  in  them,  and  they  in  him,  go  out  in  judgment  and 
righteousness,  to  make  war  with  his  enemies,  conquering 
and  to  conquer,  not  as  the  prince  of  this  world  in  his 
subjects,  with  whips  and  prisons,  tortures  and  torments 
on  the  bodies  of  creatures,  to  kill  and  destroy  men's 
lives,  who  are  deceived,  and  so  become  his  enemies;  but 
he  goes  forth  in  the  power  of  the  spirit  with  the  word  ot 
truth,  to  pass  judgment  upon  the  head  of  the  serpent, 
which  doth  deceive  and  bewitch  the  world,  and  covers 
his  own  with  his  love,  whilst  he  kindles  coals  of  fire  on 
the  head  of  his  enemies;  for  with  the  spirit  of  judgment 
and  with  the  spirit  of  burning  will  he  plead  with  his  en* 
emies;  and  having  kindled  the  fire,  and  awakened  the 
creature,  and  broken  their  peace  and  rest  in  sin,  he  waits 
in  patience  to  prevail  to  recover  the  creature  and  stay 
the  enmity,  by  suffering  all  the  rage,  and  envy,  and  evil 
entreatings,  that  the  evil  spirit  that  rules  in  the  creature 
can  cast  upon  him,  and  he  receives  it  all  with  meekness, 
and  pity  to  the  creature,  returning  love  for  hatred,  wrest- 
ling with  God  against  the  enmity,  with  prayers  and 
tears  night  and  day,  with  fasting,  mourning  and  lamen- 
tation, in  patience,  in  faithfulness,  in  truth,  in  love  un* 
feigned,  in  long  suffering,  and  in  all  the  fruits  of  the  spir- 
it, that  if  by  any  means  he  may  overcome  evil  with 
good,  and  by  this  his  light  in  the  sight  of  the  creature, 
that  the  eye  may  come  to  be  opened,  which  the  god  of 
this  world  hath  blinded,  that  so  the  creature  might  see 

48 


(  378  ) 


what  it  is  he  thus  hates,  and  what  fruits  he  himself  brings 
forth,  that  the  creature  may  be  convinced  he  is  no  de- 
ceiver, but  hath  with  him  the  life  and  power  of  innocency 
and  holiness,  in  whom  he  rules.  And  this  preaching 
hath  a  power  in  it,  to  open  the  eye  of  all  that  are  not 
wilfully  blind,  because  they  love  the  deed  of  darkness, 
and  such  are  left  without  excuse  forever.  And  thus  he 
in  his  members  many  times  wrestles,  and  preaches  to 
the  spirits  in  prison,  with  much  long  suffering  towards 
the  world,  a  nation,  or  a  particular  person,  before  he 
gives  them  up,  and  numbers  them  for  destruction;  yea, 
sometimes,  till  their  rage  against  him,  and  cruelty  exer- 
cised upon  his  members  be  so  great,  that  there  be  m 
remedy,  as  in  the  days  of  old,  2  Chron.  36. 15, 16. 

AND  THESE  FRUITS    ARE  HIS  COLOURS  HE    HOLDS  FORTH  TO  ALL  THE 
WORLD,  IN  SUCH    AS  HE  REIGNS  IN. 

As  they  come  to  obey  him,  he  covers  them  with  love, 
gentleness,  friith,  patience  and  purity,  grace  and  virtue, 
temperance  and  self  denial,  meekness  and  innocency  all 
in  white,  that  follow  him,  in  whom  he  is,  who  walk  them- 
selves as  he  walked,  in  all  things  conforming  to  God, 
with  boldness  and  zeal,  owning  the  lamb  to  be  their 
leader,  with  him  testifying  against  the  world,  that  the 
deeds  thereof  are  evil,  themselves  the  mean  v^^hile  cov- 
ered with  his  righteousness,  against  all  the  storms  and 
tempests  that  they  must  be  sure  to  meet  withal,  who 
bear  that  testimony  which  the  lamb  hath  ever  borne,  in 
whom  he  appeared  to  the  convincing  of  the  world; 
that  he  is  the  same  that  ever  he  was  from  the  beginning, 
that  all  that  will  believe  and  love  holiness,  may  see 
where  it  is  to  be  found,  and  come  forth  to  him,  and  be 
saved,  that  the  whole  world  become  not  as  Sodom  in  the 
day  of  wrath,  which  ever  comes  upon  a  people,  or  a 
nation,  after  Christ  hath  thus  appeared,  and  been  re- 
jected thereof. 

WHAT  HIS  KINGDOM  IS. 

The  power,  the  glory  and  compass  of  it  is  not  com- 
prehended with  mortal  understanding,  which  was  before 
all  beginnings,  and  endures  forever,  who  orders  and  lim- 
it 


(  379  ) 

(its  all  spirits  in  Heaven  and  earth,  who  rules  in  the 
rulers  of  the  earth,  and  in  all  heavenly  places,  though 
many  spirits  know  him  not,  till  they  Iravefelt  his  reproof 
for  their  rebellion  against  him;  his  sufferings  are  free 
for  loves  sake,  which  is  naturally  in  him  to  the  creation, 
being  his  offspring,  for  which  caus.e  he  becomes  meek 
and  lowly,  that  he  may  bear  the  infirmities  of  the  crea- 
tion, which  doth  no  way  take  from  his  power,  who  is 
equal  with  the  father,  but  doth  manifest  his  power  to  be 
unlimited,  in  that  he  beareth  all  things,  his  dominion  he 
hath  amongst  the  heathen,  and  his  hands  are  in  the 
counsels  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  there  is  no  place 
where  he  is  not,  who  descends  below  all  depths,  and  as- 
cends far  above  all  Heavens, that  he  may  fill  all  things. 
But  his  kingdom  m  this  world,  in  which  he  chiefly  de- 
,  lights  to  walk,  and  make  himsell  known,  is  in  the  hearts 
!'  of  such  as  have  believed  in  him,  and  owned  his  call  out 
of  the  world,  whose  hearts  he  halh  purified,  and  whose 
.  bodies  he  hath  washed  in  obedience,  and  made  them  fit 
for  the  father  to  be  worshipped  in.  And  in  such  he  re- 
joices and  takes  delight,  and  his  kingdom  in  such  is 
righteousness  and  peace,  in  love,  in  power  and  purity,  he 
leads  them  by  the  gentle  movings  of  his  spirit,  out  of  all 
their  own  ways  and  wills,  in  which  they  would  defile 
1  themselves,  and  guides  them  into  the  will  of  the  father, 
by  which  they  become  more  clean  and  holy  ;  deeply  he 
1  lets  them  know  his  covenant,  and  how  far  they  may  go 
and  be  false,  he  gives  them  his  laws  and  his  statutes, 
contrary  in  all  things  to  the  god  of  this  world,  that  they 
may  be  known  to  be  his  before  ail  his  enemies;  if  they 
keep  his  counsel  they  are  false,  but  if  they  refuse,  he 
lets  them  know  the  correction  of  the  father,  his  pre- 
sence is  great  joy  to  them  of  a  willing  mind,  but  with 
the  froward  he  appears  in  frowardness;  the  kisses  of 
his  lips  are  life  eternal,  but  who  may  abide  his  wrath? 
The  secrets  of  the  father  are  with  him,  and  he  maketh 
all  his  subjects  wise;  he  makes  them  all  of  one  heart, 
and  with  himself  of  the  same  mind;  his  government  is 
wholly  pure,  and  no  unclean  thing  can  abide  his  judg- 
ments. As  any  come  into  his  kingdom  they  are  known, 
and  their  change  is  to  be  seen  of  all  men ;  he  keeps  them 


(   380  ; 


iow  in  mind,  and  a  meek  spirit  doth  he  beget  in  them 
and  with  his  power  he  leads  them  forth  against  all  the 
enmity  of  the  evil  one,  and  makes  all  conditions  com- 
fortable to  them  who  abide  in  his  kingdom. 

Now  these  are  the  last  times,  and  many  false  Christs 
there  must  appear,  and  be  made  manifest  by  the  true 
Christ,  with  their  false  prophets,  false  ways  and  false 
worships,  and  false  worshippers,  which  though  they  be 
at  wars  one  with  another,  yet  not  the  lamb's  war.  Now 
seeing  he  hath  appeared,  who  is  from  everlasting  and 
changeth  not,  here  is  an  everlasting  trial  for  you  all,  all 
sorts  of  professors,  whether  you  profess  him  from  the 
letter  or  the  light;  come  try  whether  Christ  is  in  you, 
measure  your  life,  and  weigh  your  profession  with  that 
which  cannot  deceive  you,  which  hath  stood,  and  will 
stand  forever,  for  he  is  sealed  of  the  father. 

Now,  in  truth  to  God  and  your  own  souls,  prove  your 
work  in  time,  lest  you  and  it  perish  together.  First,  see 
if  your  Christ  be  the  same  that  was  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting,  or  is  he  changed  according  to  the  times,  in 
life,  in  deat!»,  in  peace  and  wars,  in  reigning,  in  suffering, 
in  casting  out  and  receiving  in;  and  if  you  find  the  true 
Christ,  then  prove  your  faithfulness  to  him  in  all  things; 
doth  he  whom  you  obey  as  your  leader,  lead  you  out  to 
war  against  this  world,  and  all  the  pride  and  glory,  fash- 
ions and  customs,  love  and  pleasures,  and  whatever  else 
is  not  of  God  therein?  And  to  give  up  your  lives  unto 
death,  rather  than  knowingly  to  yield  your  obedience 
thereto?  Doth  he  justify  any  life  now,  but  what  he  jus- 
tified in  the  prophets  and  apostles,  and  saints  of  old? — 
Doth  he  give  his  subjects  liberty  now  to  bow  to  the  god 
of  this  world,  and  his  ways,  in  things  that  he  hath  deni- 
ed in  the  saints  of  old,  and  for  denying  whereof  many, 
both  then  and  now,  have  suffered  ?  Is  he  at  peace  in  you 
whilst  you  are  in  the  fleshly  pleasures,  or  whilst  you 
have  fellowship  with  the  unclean  spirits  that  are  in  the 
world?  Doth  he  not  lead  out  of  the  world,  and  to 
strive  against  it  in  w^atchings,  fastings,  prayers,  and 
strong  cries  to  the  father,  that  you  may  be  kept,  and 
others  delivered  from  the  bondage  and  pollutions  of  it? 
Is  his  kingdom  the  same  in  you?    And  doth  he  give 


(   381  ) 


out  the  same  spiritual  laws  against  all  the  laws  and  cus 
lomsof  the  man  of  sin  in  yon,  as  he  hath  done  in  his 
subjects  in  all  ages?    Doth  he  beget  in  your  hearts  a 
new  nature,  contrary  to  the  world's  nature  in  all  things, 
motions  and  delights  like  himself,  whereby  he  works  out 
the  old  nature  that  inclines  to  the  world,  and  can  beat 
peace  therein.    And  now  your  peace  is  wholly  in  him, 
and  that  which  crucifies  the  world  to  you,  and  you  to  it, 
is  your  joy  and  delight?    Hath  he  called  you  out  of  this 
world,  to  bear  his  name  before  the  powers  thereof,  and 
put  his  testimony  into  your  hearts,  and  the  same  weap- 
ons into  your  hands  as  were  used  by  the  saints  of  old 
against  the  powers  of  darkness,  whereby  you  have  pow- 
er given  to  overcome  evil  with  good?    And  many  other 
fruits  you  may  find,  which  he  ever  brought  forth  in  his 
chosen,  w^hereby  they  were  known  to  be  in  him,  and  he 
in  them  ;  for  which  the  world  hates  them.    By  all  which 
you  may  clearly  know,  if  he  be  the  same  in  you  to  day, 
as  he  was  yesterday  in  his  people,  and  forever;  for 
he  changeth  not,  nor  conforms  to  the  world,  nor  the  will 
of  any  creature,  but  changes  alibis  followers,  till  they 
become  in  all  things  like  himself;  for  they  must  bear  his 
name  and  image  before  all  men  and  spirits. 

Now  if  you  profess  the  same  as  was,  and  is,  and  is  to 
come,  the  same  for  evermore,  the  same  Christ,  the  same 
calling  in  you  that  was  in  all  the  people  of  God,  then 
prove  your  faithfulness  in  answering  and  obeying:  who 
is  it  that  sees  not  that  wars  are  begun?    And  to  whom 
hath  not  the  sound  gone  forth?    The  children  of  light 
have  published  the  gospel  of  light  throughout  the  world, 
and  the  prince  of  darkness  hath  shown  his  enmity  a- 
gainst  it;  the  lamb  hath  appeared  with  his  weapons  as 
before  mentioned,  in  much  long  suffering,  and  the  God 
of  this  world  hath  appeared  to  withstand  him  with  his 
weapons,  and  hath  prevailed  unto  blood  with  much  ea- 
gerness, and  the  lamb  hath  prevailed  unto  suffering  with 
much  meekness  and  patience,  each  of  them  in  their  sub- 
jects, in  whom  these  contrary  spirits  act  one  against 
another;  and  now  see  what  part  you  take,  who  hath 
hired  you,  and  whose  work  are  you  in,  or  are  you  idle, 
looking  on?    Or  are  you  gone  out  with  the  beast  of  the 


(  382  ) 


field,  and  regard  nothing  but  your  bellies  and  pleasures? 
Doth  it  not  greatly  concern  you  to  try  your  states,  see- 
ing all  must  come  speedily  to  an  account  for  their  lives 
and  service?  Are  you  such  as  spend  your  time  and 
strength  in  watching  and  praying  to  the  father  of  spirits 
for  yourselves  and  the  people  of  God,  that  they  may  be 
kept  in  the  time  of  temptation,  and  assaults  of  the  evil 
one,  who  seeks  his  advantage  on  the  weak  brethren; 
and  for  your  enemies,  that  they  may  be  delivered  from 
under  his  power,  who  are  captivated  by  him  at  his  will, 
to  fulfil  his  lusts  and  envy,  and  satisfy  his  wrath  upon 
the  innocent. 

And  do  you  deny  yourselves  of  your  pleasures,  profits, 
ease  and  liberty,  that  you  may  hold  forth  a  chaste  con- 
versation in  the  power  and  life  of  gentleness,  meekness, 
faithfulness  and  truth,  exercising  a  conscience  void  of 
offence  towards  God,  and  all  men,  that  thereby  you  may 
shine  forth  in  righteousness,  so  as  to  convince  your  ene- 
mies whom  you  pray  for ;  thus  following  him  who  laid 
down  his  life  for  his  enemies.    Is  this  your  war,  and 
these  your  weapons?    Is  this  your  calling,  and  are  you 
faithful  to  him  that  hath  called  yon  hereto,  so  as  you 
can  by  no  means  bow  to  the  God  of  this  world,  nor  his 
ways,  though  it  were  to  save  your  lives  or  credit  in  the 
world,  or  estates,  and  yet  can  serve  the  meanest  crea- 
ture in  God's  way,  though  to  the  loss  of  all?    I  beseech 
you  be  faithful  to  your  own  souls  herein:  do  you  find 
nothing  in  you  that  calls  or  moves  this  way,  or  reproves 
the  contrary?    If  there  be,  are  you  not  such  as  quench 
the  spirit,  and  put  out  your  own  eye,  and  deny  the  lamb's 
call  against  your  own  lives?    And  if  there  be  not,  then 
are  you  not  dead  members,  cut  off  from  Christ,  and  all 
your  profession  is  but  a  lie,  and  without  Christ  you  are 
in  the  world?  O  that  you  would  prove  your  own  selves; 
for  there  be  many  deceitful  workers  at  this  day  of  his 
appearance,  who  do  the  work  of  the  Lord  negligently 
and  deceitfully,  and  many  do  their  own  work  instead  of 
his;  and  many  are  called,  and  for  a  while  abide,  but  in 
the  time  of  hardship  prove  deceitful,  and  return  to  serve 
in  the  world  again,  and  take  pleasure  therein ;  others  are 
called  and  convinced,  but  come  half  out  of  the  world, 


(  383  ) 


even  as  far  as  they  can  do  it  without  loss  or  shanne,  but 
keep  their  covenant  therewith  still,  in  what  makes  most 
for  their  gain,  or  earthly  advantage  or  credit:  others 
have  answered  their  call,  and  been  faithful  in  the  cove- 
flantof  the  lamb  against  the  prince  of  this  world,  so  far 
as  they  have  seen;  but  not  minding  the  watch  against 
the  enemy,  and  not  keeping  low  in  the  fear,  and  zealous 
in  the  light,  have  suffered  the  simplicity  to  be  deceived, 
and  are  led  back  to  the  old  beggerly  rudiments  of  the 
world  again,  and  take  that  for  their  perfection  and 
growth,  which  once  they  had  vomited  up;  and  these  ex- 
pect great  things  in  their  work ;  but  they  are  blinder 
than  the  rest,  and  more  to  be  pitied,  because  of  the  sim- 
plicity that  is  deceived. 

Many  other  grounds  there  be  that  bring  not  fruit  to 
perfection,  who  are  not  found  faithful  to  him  that  hath 
called  them  therein;  so  that  now  the  truth  is,  that  many 
are  called,  but  few  chosen  and  faithful;  many  are 
-ashamed  at  the  lamb's  appearance,  it  is  so  low,  and 
Weak,  and  poor,  and  contemptible,  and  many  are  afraid, 
seeing  so  great  a  power  against  him ;  many  be  at  work  in 
their  imaginations,  to  compass  a  kingdom,  to  get  power 
over  sin,  and  peace  of  conscience,  but  few  will  deny  all 
to  be  led  by  the  lamb  in  a  way  they  know  not,  to  bear 
his  testimony  and  mark  against  the  world,  and  suffer  for 
it  with  him.  Now  deceit  hath  taught  you  to  say,  and 
may  be  you  think  it  also ,  Grod  forbid  but  you  should  suf- 
fer with  Christ  till  death;  but  come  to  the  trial  in  deed 
and  truth;  doth  not  he  suffer  under  all  the  pride  and 
pleasures  of  the  flesh,  by  all  manner  of  excess,  by  all 
manner  of  customs  and  fashions,  not  of  God,  but  of  the 
w^orld?  Is  not  all  against  him  that  is  not  of  him  and 
the  father?  Is  not  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  of  the  flesh, 
and  pride  of  life,  his  oppressors?  And  do  you  that  live 
in  these  things,  and  fashions,  and  plead  for  them,  suffer 
with  him  by  them,  or  war  with  him  against  them?  Then 
would  you  be  weary  of  them,  and  not  practice  nor 
plead  for  them  against  him :  this  you  will  find  true  in 
the  end,  you  cannot  suffer  with  him,  and  serve  his  en- 
emies. 


(  384  ) 


Can  you  live  at  ease,  and  in  yonr  pleasures  and 
profits,  and  cover  yourselves  with  worldly  glory,  whilst 
Christ  Jesus  is  glorified  in  his  temples  with  mockings, 
stockings,  stonings,  whipping,  and  all  manner  of  evil  in- 
treatings;  cast  into  holes,  pits  and  dungeons,  having 
none  on  earth  to  take  his  part,  nor  plead  his  righteous 
cause,  nor  once  to  take  notice  of  his  innocent  sufferings; 
but  who  as  will,  may  tread  down  his  precious  life  in  the 
open  streets,  without  resisting;  and  this  for  no  other 
thing,  but  for  testifying  against  the  deeds  of  the  world, 
that  they  are  evil:  the  pride  and  oppression,  false  ways 
and  false  worships,  never  set  up  by  him  but  in  the  will 
of  man,  and  so  maintained  against  him,  which  he  must 
judge  with  a  contrary  appearance,  e'er  he  come  to  his 
kingdom;  and  do  you  suffer  with  him  herein,  who  have  a 
heart  consenting  to  these  things,  if  not  a  hand  deeply  in 
them ;  secret  or  open,  either  in  this  cruelty  acting  or  con- 
triving, or  in  cursed  and  scornful  speeches  condemning 
them  that  bear  witness,  as  a  foolish  ignorant  people,  and 
that  they  bring  their  sufferings  upon  themselves,  by  their 
own  wills,  and  so  shoot  your  poisoned  arrows  one  way 
or  other  against  that  spirit  which  leads,  and  hath  ever 
led  such  as  do  not  resist  and  disobey  him,  into  the  same 
testimony,  and  so  in  secret  you  become  worse  than  open 
persecutors. 

Or  ii  may  be  some  few  become  as  far  as  Pilate,  who 
washed  his  own  hands,  whilst  others  shed  the  innocent 
blood ;  and  these  are  few  indeed,  who  thus  far  will  open- 
ly confess  the  just  and  innocent  Lord  before  his  accusers, 
in  what  vessel  he  is  thus  honoured. 

But  will  the  best  of  these  stand  in  judgment  as  suffer- 
ers with  him?  Or  will  he  know  you  at  his  appearance, 
by  this  mark?  Are  these  his  steps  you  follow?  Or  is 
this  his  image,  or  power,  war  or  weapons?  Will  this 
suffering  bring  you  to  reign  with  him,  or  he  in  you  to  your 
peace?  Or  will  this  cross  crucify  you  to  the  world,  and 
the  world  to  you?  Do  you  walk  as  he  walked,  or  hath 
he  left  you  such  example  to  follow?  Search  the  scrip- 
tures, and  read  the  life  of  them,  and  your  own  lives,  with 
the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  cease  to  blaspheme  any 
longer,  in  saying  you  are  christians,  while  in  Christ  you 


(  385  > 

^re  not,  but  in  a  contrary  spirit,  and  contrary  life.  And 
your  iellowship  is  not  with  him  in  suffering,  but  with 
them  by  whom  he  suffers. 

Were  ever  christians  at  their  ease  and  worldly  de- 
lights, whilst  Christ  hath  not  where  to  rest  his  head; 
thrust  out  of  your  meeting  places,  towns,  and  markets, 
and  every  assembly,  if  he  do  but  testify  against  the  evil 
thereof  ?  Are  you  asleep  in  the  world,  and  doth  it  not 
awaken  you, to  see  or  hear  how  sudden  a  return  that 
fiioody  spirit  hath  made,  lately  in  part  cast  out?  And 
with  what  power  he  is  now  entering,  like  to  exceed 
•even-fold  what  he  hath  this  many  generations,  making 
iaily  havoc  of  the  lambs?  Is  it  a  time  for  you  to  riot 
in,  to  satisfy  >our  lusts,  to  eat  and  drink,  and  rise  up  to 
play,  and  spend  your  time  and  strength  (many  of  you) 
so  as  modest  heathens  would  blush  at,  and  then  say 
you  are  christians,  and  suffer  with  Christ.  Surely  were 
you  u»emDers  of  that  body,  or  sensible  of  his  sutferings 
herein,  you  would  not  add  thereto  a  greater  weight,  nor 
join  to  his  adversary  the  devil,  whose  works  these  are, 
but  on  the  Lord's  part  every  one  up  and  be  armed  in  the 
light,  with  tlie  armour  of  the  iamb,  as  before  mentioned, 
to  withstand  these  and  oti.er  the  temptations  o»  his  ene- 
my., and  in  sufferings  witness  against  them.  Do  you  not 
daily  read  of  such  a  testimony  in  the  scriptures,  born 
against  the  murderer  by  the  lamb  ? 

How  long  shall  it  be  e*er  the  life  of  what  you  profess, 
be  seen  in  the  face  of  your  conversation,  teachers,  and 
people?  VVhen  will  you  teachers  approve  yourselves 
as  the  ministers  of  God^  and  sufferers  with  Christ,  (as 
saith  the  scripture  which  you  profess)  in  much  patience, 
in  afflictions,  in  necessities,  in  distresses,  in  stripes  above 
measure,  in  prisons  frequently,  in  deaths  often,  in  tumults, 
in  labours,  in  watchings,  in  hunger,  in  fastings  oft,  in 
cold  and  nakedness,  in  poverty,  in  long  suffering,  and 
love  unfeigned,  in  honour  and  dishonour,  in  evil  reports 
and  good  reports,  as  deceivers  (yet  true)  as  unknown, 
sorrowing,  chastened,  poor,  having  nothing,  yet  coveting 
no  man's  money,  making  it  y  >ur  reward  to  keep  the  gos- 
pel without  charge,  and  much  more  of  this  self  denying 
nature,  which  is  the  armour  of  righteousness  the  minis 

19 


(   386  ) 


tevs  of  Christ  put  on,  and  with  such  weapons  they  went 
out  to  fight  with  beasts,  and  belly  gods,  false  prophets, 
greedy  dogs,  hirelings,  and  all  sorts  that  went  after  the 
error  of  Balaam  for  wages,  gifts  or  rewards.  And  by 
these  marks  of  Christ  they  were  ever  to  be  known  from 
Baal's  priests,  and  such  as  the  world  called  and  set  up  in 
the  will  of  man,  and  in  the  spirit  of  Christ  did  openly 
war  against  them  with  the  sword  of  his  mouth,  and  do 
to  this  day,  even  to  the  day  of  judgment.  In  whom  the 
scriptures  are  fulfilled,  which  cannot  be  broken. 

Now  why  will  you  not  measure  yourselves  with  this 
measure,  seeing  this  only  is  sealed  to  all  generations  of 
God's  ministers,  (witness  the  scriptures.)  Nay,  why 
are  you  so  exceedingly  blind,  and  wicked  above  meas- 
ure, that  if  you  be  found  in  the  contrary  nature,  life  and 
practice,  and  God  send  some  to  warn  you  thereof,  and 
hold  forth  the  lamb's  testimony  against  you,  you  pre- 
sently suffer  the  evil  one  to  get  up  in  you,  and  in  rage 
and  madness,  not  minding  this  to  be  obedience  to  God  in 
them,  and  his  love  and  faithfulness  to  your  souls,  seek 
to  cast  some  of  these  things  before  mentioned  upon 
them;  and  so  your  revenge  turns  to  their  double  honour, 
and  doubles  a  witness  against  yourselves,  to  your  own 
condemnation,  and  that  you  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ 
in  you.  And  some  of  you  exceed  in  this,  above  your 
fore-fathers;  for  whom  the  lambs  of  God  have  a  lamen- 
tation; yet  must  God  be  justified  when  he  comes  to 
judgment,  for  you  will  be  found  far  off  the  suffering  with 
Christ,  though  with  your  lips  you  honor  him. 

Surely  he  that  hath  a  living  conscience,  may  much 
admire  how  you  get  over  these  scriptures  in  your  teach- 
ing of  others,  and  not  to  wound  yourselves,  or  pierce 
your  hearts  with  fear,  and  your  faces  with  blushing,  who 
are  found  so  absolute  in  contradiction  thereto,  in  con- 
versation, and  unlike  in  your  lives,  in  the  sight  of  every 
open  eye.  Or  how  you  can  muzzle  your  consciences 
while  you  pass  your  prayers,  that  your  own  mouth  do 
not  condemn  you?  It's  no  wonder  why  you  are  such 
enemies  to  the  light  within,  everyone  that  doth  evil  ha- 
teth  the  light. 


(   387  ) 

And  you  hearers  of  all  sorts,  how  long  will  it  be  e'ei 
you  hearken  to  what  the  Lord  saith  to  your  soul?  Who 
is  no  respecter  of  persons,  but  every  one  that  bears  not 
the  image  of  his  son  in  vvell-doing,  he  hates,  though  with 
Cain  you  sacrifice,  or  with  Esau  you  pray  with  tears. — 
That  with  the  light  of  Christ  in  your  own  hearts  you 
may  see  how  the  world's  lusts  have  spoiled  your  souls 
of  that  heavenly  image,  and  hath  captivated  your  minds 
into  itself,  and  likeness,  and  how  you  lie  dead  in  sin, 
covered  with  earth,  and  daubed  over  with  the  words  of 
men.  Oh!  that  you  would  awake,  before  wrath  awa- 
ken you,  and  put  on  the  armour  of  God,  not  relying  any 
longer  on  men  that  beat  the  air,  to  fight  your  battles, 
against  him  who  is  got  into  your  hearts;  but  that  your- 
selves, as  soldiers  of  Christ,  may  all  come  to  use  the 
spiritual  weapons  against  the  spiritual  wickedness  ex- 
alted in  the  temple  of  God,  so  that  you  can  neither  see 
nor  serve  God  therein,  being  filled  with  wicked  and 
worldly  cumbrances. 

That's  the  spiritual  weapon  which  captivates  every 
thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ,  and  this  is  the  true 
warfare,  and  is  mighty  through  God,  to  cast  down  the 
strong  holds  of  the  man  of  sin  in  you;  and  having  in  a 
readiness  to  revenge  all  disobedience;  knowing  that  he 
that  will  not  be  It.  d  by  the  spirit  of  God  is  for  condem- 
nation. And  only  iiese  weapons  are  effectual  to  cleanse 
the  heart  of  all  that  exalts  itself  against  the  life  and 
knowledge  of  God,  and  to  make  way  for  his  appearance ; 
which  no  man's  words  who  is  in  the  same  evils  hath 
power  to  do;  for  this  power  is  only  in  C'hrist  his  light 
and  life.  And  only  blessed  are  they  who  feel  and  find 
this  treasure  working  in  the  earthen  vessel,  such  shall 
approve  their  own  work  to  God,  and  have  praise  thereof, 
not  of  man.  So  should  you  come  to  see  what  others 
have  said  in  scripture,  concerning  the  lamb  of  God,  who 
takes  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  savingly  feel  the 
power  of  his  cross,  of  his  death  and  resurrection,  and 
the  everlasting  purity  of  his  life,  and  that  eternal  love 
the  father  bears  thereto,  an  everlasting  inheritance  to  all 
who  learn  him,  and  attain  his  appearance,  whose  beau- 
ty is  blessed  forever. 


(  388  ) 


Called,  chosen  and  faithful  are  the  servants  and  sub- 
jects of  Ciirist's  kingdom,  in  whom  at  this  day,  he  main- 
tains war  against  the  prince  of  this  world,  the  beast 
and  his  seat,  with  the  false  prophet,  and  all  that  serve 
under  his  dominion,  and  obey  his  laws  which  he  hath 
set  up. 

Now  you  that  cry,  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  be- 
come the  kingdoms  of  the  Lord  and  of  his  Christ ;  see 
that  it  be  truth  in  you,  and  that  you  lie  not  within  your- 
selves. The  lamb's  war  you  must  know,  before  you  can 
witness  his  kingdom,  and  how  you  have  been  called  into 
his  war,  and  whether  you  have  been  faithful  and  chosen 
there  or  no.  He  that  preaches  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in 
words,  without  victory,  is  the  thief  that  goes  before 
Christ.  So  take  heed  that  your  own  words  condemn  you 
not,  but  mind  your  calling,  and  how  you  have  answered, 
and  whether  you  have  been  faithful  in  that  whereunto 
you  have  been  called,  the  war;  Christ  hath  a  war  with 
his  enemies,  to  which  he  calls  his  subjects  to  serve  him 
therein,  against  all  the  powers  of  darkness  of  this  world, 
and  all  things  of  this  old  world,  the  ways  and  fashions 
of  it  will  he  overturn,  and  all  things  will  he  make  new, 
which  the  god  of  this  world  hath  polluted,  and  where- 
with his  children  hath  corrupted  themselves,  and  do 
service  to  the  lust,  and  devourer;  thi .  the  lamb  wars 
against,  in  whomsoever  he  appears,  Cnd  calls  them  to 
join  with  him  herein  in  heart  and  mind,  and  with  all 
their  whole  might.  And  for  that  end  he  lights  his  can- 
dle in  their  hearts,  that  they  may  find  out  every  secret 
evil  that  the  man  of  sin  hath  there  treasured  up,  even 
to  every  thought  and  intent  of  the  heart,  to  cast  out  the 
enemy  with  all  his  stuff,  and  to  subject  the  creature 
wholly  to  himself,  that  he  may  form  a  new  man,  a  new 
heart,  new  thoughts,  and  a  new  obedience,  in  a  new  way, 
in  all  things  therein  to  reign,  and  there  is  his  kingdom. 

Now  many  are  called  to  this  war,  but  few  are  cho- 
sen and  faithful.  They  that  are  faithful  in  their  cal- 
ling, them  he  choses,  and  in  them  he  reigns,  and  with 
them  he  makes  war  against  his  enemies  on  every  side, 
under  what  colour  soever  they  appear,  if  they  be  not 
subjects  to  him,  all  in  whom  he  reigns  are  at  war  with 


(   3891  ) 


them  in  Christ,  and  the  sword  of  his  spirit  he  hath  put 
into  their  hands,  his  word  into  their  mouths,  whereby 
they  are  at  wars  with  all  the  world,  and  the  world  with 
them,  and  he  that's  faithful  will  make  no  peace  nor 
agreement,  neither  will  he  bow  nor  yield  agreement,  till 
there  be  a  subjection  to  Christ.  These  are  faithful  to 
him  that  hath  called  them. 

So  you  th^it  are  much  in  words,  prove  your  own  selves; 
if  you  be  in  his  kingdom,  or  of  his  subjects,  then  are 
you  at  work  with  him  in  this  his  day,  wherein  he  is 
coming  in  thousands  of  his  saints  to  take  vengeance  into 
his  hands,  and  inflict  it  upon  his  enemies. 

Now  you  who  are  nsleep,  and  at  ease  in  the  flesh,  are 
not  of  his  kingdom;  for  by  suffering  in  the  flesh  doth  he 
make  war,  and  slays  the  man  of  sin. 

Vou  that  are  at  peace  in  the  world's  ways  and  fash- 
ions, invented  and  maintained  by  the  man  of  sin,  you 
are  not  in  his  kingdom,  for  he  hath  given  an  alarm 
against  all  those  things,  which  hath  caused  the  dragoo 
to  whet  his  teeth,  and  all  the  devouring  spirits  are  stir- 
red up,  their  Lord's  kingdom  to  defend,  every  one  vi^ith 
such  weapons  as  they  have,  against  the  lamb  in  his 
kingdom,  in  what  vessel  soever  he  reigns;  and  he  is  but 
one  in  all  his,  against  all  these. 

Now  you  that  are  making  peace  where  these  things 
are  upholden,you  are  false-hearted, and  betray  the  lamb, 
as  that  of  God  in  you  shall  witness,  you  are  at  peace- 
making with  his  enemies. 

But  say  you,  God  is  love,  and  we  are  commanded  to 
love  all,  and  seek  peace  with  all,  &c. 

I  say,  is  God's  love  in  you  otherwise  than  it  hath  ever 
been  in  Christ,  and  all  his  saints,  whom  the  world  ever 
hated,  whom  God  loved,  and  in  whom  he  testified  against 
the  world  unto  death,  and  unto  bonds,  and  persecution, 
were  not  they  in  God's  love?  Did  not  they  keep  his 
commandments?  Will  you  take  their  words  in  your 
mouths,  and  condemn  their  lives  by  your  practices? 

The  lamb's  war  is  not  against  the  creation,  for  then 
should  his  weapons  be  carnal,  as  the  weapons  of  the 
worldly  spirits  are,  for  we  war  not  with  flesh  and  blood, 
nor  against  the  creation  of  God,  that  we  love,  but  we 


(   3^0  j 

fight  against  the  spiritual  powers  of  wickedness,  which 
wars  against  God  in  the  creation,  and  captivates  the 
creation  into  the  hist  which  wars  against  the  soul,  and 
that  the  creature  may  be  delivered  into  its  liberty,  pre- 
pared for  the  sons  of  God.  And  this  is  not  against  love, 
nor  everlasting  peace,  but  that  without  which  there  can 
be  no  true  love,  nor  lasting  peace. 

Love  to  God  and  man  constrains  us  to  be  faithful  in 
this  war.  Nor  is  God's  love  to  that  seed  of  bondage, 
nor  did  he  ever  command  you  to  seek  the  peace  of  it. 
For  the  love  of  the  world  is  enmity  with  God,  as  saith 
the  scripture. 

And  were  you  not  fallen  into  self-love  which  is  utter- 
ly blind  (as  to  the  love  of  God)  you  would  see  a  great 
difference  between  the  creature,  and  that  which  keeps 
the  creature  in  bondage,  and  out  of  the  love  of  God; 
can  you  love  that,  and  not  hate  the  creature,  and  God 
also?  This  all  who  fight  in  the  lamb's  battles  know, 
who  are  in  the  true  love.  Doth  not  the  spirit  of  pride, 
gluttony,  drunkenness,  pleasures,  envy  and  strife,  keep 
that  in  bondage  which  thou  shouldst  love  by  the  com- 
mand of  God?  Doth  not  the  creature  groan  to  be  de- 
livered from  the  vanity,  customs  and  fashions  of  this 
generation?  Is  not  the  whole  time  of  man  taken  up 
in  service  of  the  lusts  and  inventions  which  the  man  of 
sin  hath  found  out;  inventions  in  meats  and  drinks,  in- 
ventions in  apparel,  inventions  in  worships,  in  sports  and 
pleasures,  &c.  Is  not  the  whole  creation  captivated 
under  this  spirit  of  whoredom,  and  so  man's  whole  life 
spent  in  vain?  So  that  men  and  women  come  into  the 
world,  and  depart  out  of  it  again,  as  though  they  were 
made  for  no  other  end  but  for  vanity  and  selfishness. 
Scarce  one  of  ten  thousand  knows  any  call  from  God  to 
any  service  for  him,  or  hath  an  ear  to  hear  his  voice ;  but 
if  any  do  hear,  and  obey,  they  all  conclude  him  decei- 
ved, and  are  ready  to  devour  him,  because  he  testifies 
against  the  evils  which  destroy  mens  souls,  and  make 
void  man's  service  to  his  creator,  and  devours  the  crea- 
tion. 

And  can  you  love  this  spirit,  bow  and  conform  to  it, 
or  suffer  it  to  reign  in  yourselves,  or  your  brethren,  anfl 


(  391  ) 


you  be  silent,  under  a  pretence  of  seeking  love  and 
peace,  and  obeying  God's  command ;  and  boast  in  high 
words  about  Christ's  kingdom,  counting  it  a  low  and 
foolish  thing  in  such  as  faithfully  and  zealously  bear  tes- 
timony for  God,  and  against  these  evils?  And  will  not 
God  find  you  out,  and  your  deceit  and  unfaithfulness  in 
your  generation;  shall  not  God  break  your  peace,  and 
disannul  your  covenant,  which  you  are  making  with  the 
world,  to  settle  yourselves  in  ease  and  pleasure,  and 
bring  you  out  with  true  judgment,  where  it  shall  be  seen 
what  nature  your  love  is  of,  whose  kingdom  you  are  in, 
and  whom  you  love  and  serve. 

The  day  is  dawned,  and  the  sun  is  risen  to  many  that 
shall  not  set,  nor  shall  he  cease  his  course,  until  he  have 
rightly  divided  between  the  precious  seed,  and  the  chil- 
dren of  whoredoms  and  deceit.  And  now  the  holy  seed 
is  called  forth,  to  appear  in  its  colours  against  the  man 
of  sin;  and  with  the  sword  of  his  mouth  doth  he  make 
war,  and  with  the  spirit  of  judgment  and  the  spirit  of 
burning,  doth  he  consume  the  filthy  and  unclean  spirits. 
And  all  that  are  faithful  have  their  armour  on  ready, 
day  and  night  to  follow  the  lamb,  as  he  moves,  counting 
nothing  hard  to  undergo,  so  as  they  may  but  have  hopes 
of  reconciliation  betwixt  God,  and  the  creature  that  is 
fallen  to  tiie  prince  of  the  world,  and  led  captive  at  his 
will.  And  this  is  love  indeed,  to  lay  down  all  for  such 
I   as  are  yet  enemies, 

!  Go  on  and  prosper  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  in 
righteousness  make  war;  and  all  that  are  zealous  for 
truth  and  purity  shall  say  amen:  but  the  slothful,  the 
lukewarm,  and  all  unclean  persons,  shut  themselves  out, 
as  not  for  this  work,  nor  worthy  to  be  counted  faithful 
nor  chosen* 


(  392  ) 


A  WARNING  TO  SUCH  WHOSE  HEARTS  ARE  PREPARED  TO  RECEIVE 
INSTRUCTION,  TO  LEAD  OUT  OF  THE  WAYS  OF  DEATH. 

Perilous  times  are  come,  now  is  the  earth  and  the 
air  corrupted  and  filled  with  violence  and  deceit,  ungod- 
liness abounds  every  where,  satan  is  loosed  and  gone 
forth  to  deceive,  multitudes  of  spirits  are  sent  abroad, 
and  have  power  given  to  enter  all  that  dwell  in  the 
earth,  who  inhabit  in  dark  places,  who  love  not  the  light. 
Wo  to  the  world!  wo  to  all  who  have  treasured  up 
wickedness  in  themselves;  for  now  will  satan  seek  to 
his  own,  and  his  vessels  will  be  filled,  filled  with  wrath, 
filled  with  pride,  filled  with  lust,  covetousness,  and  all 
manner  of  unrighteousness.    The  fulness  of  the  Gentiles 
is  at  hand,  and  every  bottle  must  be  filled,  that  the  pot- 
ter may  dash  them  one  against  another.    Wo  to  the 
drunken  nation,  whose  vomit  is  in  the  streets,  streets 
filled  with  pride,  filled  with  oppression  and  deceit,  ly- 
ing, swearing  and  cursed  speaking,  vomits  out  openly, 
and  not  ashamed ;  vanity  and  folly  is  become  a  glory, 
wickedness  shines, it  exceeds  in  boldness;  its  not  found 
in  a  corner,  but  in  the  broad  places  of  the  streets,  so 
that  none  can  look  out  without  danger  of  letting  in  the 
devil.    Oh!  what  is  now  to  be  seen  in  the  world,  in 
which  there  is  not  a  temptation:  so  that  no  safety  is  to 
him  that  looks  out,  for  sin  lies  at  the  door,  ready  to  enter: 
wo  to  every  city  that  is  without  a  watchman!  These 
are  the  perilous  times  when  every  house  is  beset  with 
dangCi':  these  are  the  evil  days,  the  last  times,  wherein 
iniquity  abounds.    And  now  where  the  watchman  is 
blind  (enemies  to  the  light)  that  house  will  be  filled  with 
evil  spirits,  legions  of  devils  may  enter,  and  inhabit  in 
darkness,  proud  spirits,  lying  spirits,  dissembling  spirits, 
flattering  spirits,  deceitful  spirits  of  all  sorts,  and  these 
being  got  in,  work  in  the  vessel  according  to  their  sev- 
eral natures,  the  works  of  their  father,  holding  forth 
his  image  to  all  that  look  out,  tempting  to  get  into 
others,  to  enlarge  his  kingdom ;  and  so  the  wanton  look 
comes  to  be  deceived,  lust  looks  out,  and  pride  calls  and 
holds  out  an  object  to  the  the  eye,  which  being  let  in,  it 


(  393  ) 


conceives  within,  and  grows  till  it  be  able  to  bring  forth 
of  its  own,  and  become  a  tempter  to  others.  So  vaniiy 
calls  out  of  the  devil's  treasury  to  all  that  pass  by;  spir- 
itual whoredom  cries  aloud  in  the  open  streets,  to  entice 
the  simple,  and  defile  the  virgin,  with  eagerness  seeking 
to  pollute  the  chaste  spirit,  and  corrupt  the  mind  from 
God. 

Now  these  are  the  perilous  times,  wherein  simplicity 
is  taken  in  the  snares  of  subtility.  Oh'  what  baits  are 
laid  out  where  the  strong  man  keeps  the  house  within? 
With  an  impudent  face  hath  the  adulterous  mind  set  her- 
self to  deceive,  enticements  to  the  eye,  words  of  witch- 
craft to  the  ear,  where  satan  hath  got  ahead,  how  doth 
he  open  his  mouth  in  blasphemy  against  the  holy  spirit, 
and  its  fruits  of  humility,  and  purity,  and  godliness, 
plainness  and  truth,  blaspheming  the  holy  truth  of  scrip- 
tures, turning  them  against  these  fruits  of  holiness,  and 
to  plead  for  that  which  destroys  these  fruits,  and  brings 
forth  contrary  fruits. 

What  pleading  for  pride  from  scripture?  For  respect 
of  persons?  For  false  worships?  For  covetousness? 
For  excess  and  riot?  For  all  deceitful  dealings  and 
works  of  the  flesh  from  scriptures?  The  deceitful  work- 
er having  through  subtility,  got  the  words  of  scripture, 
to  destroy  the  life  thereof,  and  set  up  a  life  contrary 
thereto,  as  though  they  now  allowed  what  they  formerly 
|!  condemned. 

I  And  thus  the  whore  holds  forth  a  gilding  cup,  but 
'  filled  with  abomination  and  filthy  lusts.  And  this  is 
done  with  such  craft,  as  it  is  impossible  for  any  i^who 
go  out  from  the  light  within,  to  lend  either  eye  or  ear  to 
that  without)  to  escape  the  snare,  and  not  to  have  that 
which  should  be  for  their  welfare,  turned  into  a  trap,  by 
that  spirit  which,  where  it  enters,  turns  all  the  mercies 
of  God  into  lasciviousness,  as  it  is  at  this  day  in  all 
where  he  is  entered.  How  are  riches  become  a  trap  to 
the  rich,  to  captivate  them  into  pride,  idleness  and  van- 
ity! How  is  Dives'  table  become  a  snare  to  captivate 
into  all  excess  and  wantonness,  and  hardens  them  a- 
gainst  the  lowly  and  meek.  This  is  the  greatest  o^cur- 
sps,  and  it  now  abounds,  and  seeks  to  enter  and  spread. 


(  394  ) 


'How  is  trading  become  a  trap,  to  captivate  men  into  de- 
ceitful dealing,  and  vain  customs  and  fashions,  to  serve 
the  adulterous  eye  and  vanity:  so  that  not  one  trade, 
amongst  many,  wherein  a  just  plain  man,  who  is  come 
to  yea  and  nay,  and  cannot  serve  the  vanity  of  the  eye 
and  the  pride  of  life  can  live,  but  if  he  will  keep  his  con- 
science pure,  he  must  become  a  prey. 

These  are  evil  times  indeed!  Where  can  the  innocent 
go  out,  and  not  a  trap  laid  to  bring  him  into  bondage 
and  slavery  to  some  of  these  spirits,  to  captivate  the 
conscience  or  deceive  the  simplicity?  What  traps  in 
laws,  which  should  defend  the  simple?  Traps  in  courts! 
Traps  in  teachers!  Yea  what  is  it,  wherein  there  is  not 
the  snare  of  the  fowler  to  him  that  goes  out?  Where- 
fore now  he  alone  is  blessed,  who  looks  not  out  for  a 
guide,  who  lends  not  an  ear  to  the  wicked,  nor  walks  in 
the  counsels  of  the  ungodly,  nor  stands  in  the  way  of 
sinners,  but  delights  in  the  light  of  Christ,  to  exercise 
his  mind  day  and  night,  in  that  law  which  God  hath 
written  in  his  heart.  He  only  shaH  escape  these  peril- 
ous times,  and  not  be  polluted,  his  city  shall  be  safety, 
who  stands  on  his  watch,  his  house  shall  not  be  filled 
with  thieves,  these  evil  spirits  shall  not  lodge  there ; 
they  are  prepared  for  darkness,  and  have  power  in  them 
that  hate  the  light,  and  their  habitation  must  be  in  deso- 
late vessels,  wherein  God  walk«  not. 

Watching  in  the  light  with  diligence,  faithfulness  and 
patience,  keeps  the  enemy  out,  and  kills  that  of  his  seed 
that  is  within,  where  it  is  not  wholly  dead ;  for  while  the 
root  of  pride  and  lust  is  within,  it  is  fed  by  fetching  in 
of  its  own  without;  but  the  faithful  watch  suffers  him  no 
passage  out  nor  in.  And  so  he  that  watches  for  iniquity 
is  cut  off,  and  the  seed  of  the  evil  doer  is  kept  in  cap- 
tivity, and  the  devil  cannot  come  to  relieve  his  own ;  so  if 
a  man's  enemies  be  them  of  his  own  house,  as  it  is  with 
all  till  they  be  dead  and  buried,  yet  a  faithful  watch  in 
the  light  will  keep  from  being  betrayed  therewith,  or 
kept  in  captivity;  though  the  tempter,  with  all  his  wiles 
and  subtility,  seek  to  draw  out  the  mind,  that  he  may 
come  in  to  strengthen  his  own;  yet  in  the  light  he  can- 
not enter:  He  that  dwells  in  the  light  dwells  in  God,  and 


(   395  ) 


hath  immortality  for  his  defence;  and  who  feels  the 
power  of  meekness,  truth,  peace,  love,  patience,  and 
holds  this  in  l>is- mind  and  heart,  and  will  not  be  tempted 
from  it,  he  holds  the  head.  This  is  he  that  is  given  of 
the  father  to  be  head  to  the  cuurch  that  is  in  God,  who 
dwells  in  the  light,  he  is  head  over  all  principalities  and 
powers,  ard  all  spiritual  wickedness.  This  is  the  sa- 
viour, and  that  name  and  nature  to  which  every  knee 
must  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess.  He  that  puts  on 
truth  and  righteousness,  puts  on  immortality  and  eternal 
life  and  freedom.  This  is  our  house  from  Heaven,  and 
hath  power  to  save  upon  earth,  and  to  take  us  up  to 
Heaven,  to  be  with  God  forever;  in  whom  is  the  king- 
dom, power  and  glory  over  all,  blessed  for  evermare. 

So  holiness  is  come  down  from  heaven,  and  the  light 
of  the  son  is  arising,  and  begins  to  shine;  and  now  all 
unclean  spirits  get  to  their  strong  holds.  An  unclean, 
lustful,  covetous,  proud  heart,  that  hath  got  the  words 
of  truth,  IS  become  a  habitation  of  multitudes  of  unclean 
spirits,  and  hath  covers  for  them  all;  so  thither  they 
flock  a  pace,  and  in  the  light  they  are  seen  making  head 
against  the  lamb,  the  temples  of  God  to  defile,  holding 
forth  whoredoms  of  all  sorts,  to  entice  the  simple  to 
come  out  from  their  strength;  but  he  that  keeps  within 
is  safe,  and- the  clean  heart  is  God's  habitation,  and 
such  as  walk  in  his  light  are  them  that  are  saved ; 
and  such  are  fit  to  serve  God  against  all  these  whore- 
doms, who  are  inhabited  with  the  chaste  spirit  and 
clean  minds,  they  cannot  bewitch:  so  the  Lord  alone  is 
become  the  salvation  of  all  that  receive  him,  and  the 
separation  is  making  daily,  and  them  that  are  saved 
of  the  nations  walk  in  the  light,  and  thick  darkness 
covers  the  unclean,  and  such  love  the  deeds  that  are 
evil,  and  see  not  destruction  in  their  way:  and  the  fool 
delights  in  his  folly,  babling  and  vanity,  and  thinks  he 
is  as  rich  as  he  that  hath  the  treasure  of  God  in  a  clean 
vessel;  and  the  whore  wipes  her  mouthy  and  saith  she 
is  right,  though  the  heart  runs  from  God  all  the  day  long. 
And  so  the  scriptures  are  fulfilled  upon  that  generation, 
that  it  may  pass  away  out  of  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and 
his  holy  ones  for  ever,  into  the  place  out  of  which  the 


(   396  ) 

deceiver  came,  and  the  deceived  with  him.  And  this 
the  father  of  lights  shews  to  his  own,  as  they  come  out 
from  amongst  them;  glory  to  his  day  for  ever,  and  holi- 
ness without  end.  J.  N, 


TO  THE  RtJLERS. 

Behold,  you  rulers,  and  hearken  proud  men  and  wo- 
men,  who  have  let  in  the  spirit  of  the  world  into  your 
hearts,  whereby  you  are  lifted  up  in  the  earth,  hear  what 
truth  saith. 

You  have  gained  riches,  and  you  seek  worldly  glory, 
an  evil  covetousness  to  yourselves.  And  these  idols  be- 
ing set  up  in  your  hearts  to  be  worshipped ;  you  rage, 
and  wonder  why  the  children  of  light  will  not  worship 
your  Gods  you  have  set  up,  and  fall  down  before  the 
glory  of  the  world  in  you;  so  you  are  angry:  but  why 
are  you  so  blind,  to  think  that  such,  who  have  denied 
to  bow  to  the  same  spirit  and  pride  in  themselves,  and 
have  [through  the  cross]  obtained  power  from  above  to 
cast  out  the  same  idols  out  of  their  own  hearts,  and  can 
they  bow  to  them  in  another?  Nay,  the  day  is  come, 
and  the  children  of  light  have  found  the  living  God  to 
worship,  and  there  is  none  besides  him  to  us.  And  now 
in  vain  is  the  idol  preached,  we  cannot  worship  with 
you;  however  you  be  tormented,  it  is  of  God  to  famish 
the  world's  idols,  and  he  alone  will  be  worshipped,  who 
is  mighty  to  save;  what  have  we  to  do  any  more  with 
idolatry?  Pride  cannot  save  us,  nor  can  the  world's 
glory  preserve  in  the  hour  of  temptation,  though  we 
should  bow  thereto;  we  cannot  trust  in  uncertain  riches, 
nor  may  we  take  counsel  at  silver  or  gold,  flocks  or 
herds:  We  havo  proved  your  idols,  and  know  what  is 
in  them,  and  we  have  found  them  destroyers  and  not 
saviours;  whatever  your  glory  promises  you  [who  most 
seek  it]  we  know  in  its  right  hand  is  a  lie,  flattery  and 
falsehood,  and  all  who  love  it  come  short  of  the  glory  of 
God ;  humility  is  our  glory,  and  he  is  our  saviour,  who 


(   397  ) 


saith,  Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  lowly,  and  ye  shall  find  rest 
Irr  your  souls.  And  this  we  have  proved,  and  we  find 
his  words  truth,  and  all  loftiness  a  lie:  So  having  found 
the  truth, the  truth  hath  made  us  free;  free  from  pride, 
free  from  vainglory,  free  from  that  spirit  that  puts  it  on, 
and  would  have  it  worshipped,  free  from  the  manner  of 
the  Gentiles,  who  exercise  lordship  in  that  nature,  which 
is  out  of  the  light  and  doctrine  of  Christ. 

So  the  truth  having  made  us  free,  in  that  liberty  we 
stand  fast,  and  may  not  be  intangled  again  with  your 
yoke  of  bondage, nor  the  manners  of  the  Gentiles;  and 
then  you  say  its  our  pride  and  stubbornness;  and  many 
such  accusations  you  cast  on  us.  Alas  what  darkness 
is  this?  And  how  have  yon  lost  your  judgment?  VVhat, 
IS  Mordecai  become  prouder  than  Haman  with  you?  Is 
he  proud  who  denies  to  worship  pride,  and  he  that  would 
be  worshipped  free?  Is  not  this  to  put  light  for  dark- 
ness, and  darkness  for  light,  to  condemn  i  he  innocent 
to  bide  the  ofFendor?  Come  down  to  that  of  God  in 
your  consciences,  and  let  that  judge,  and  let  pride  be 
seen  and  ashamed  where  it  is:  and  then  you  pkad 
scripture,  and  say,  let  every  soul  be  subject  to  the  high- 
er power,  and  be  subject  to  every  ordinance  of  man 
for  the  Lord's  sake,  &,c.  Now  this  we  say  also,  and 
own  the  scriptures,  but  man's  pride  is  not  the  higher 
power;  in  humility  we  find  a  power  above  pride,  higher 
than  oppression,  higher  than  mens  wills,  higher  than 
the  lusts  of  the  eye;  yea,  higher  than  all  that  in  man 
would  exalt  against  it:  so  we  deny  the  lower,  that  we 
may  subject  ourselves,  to  that  which  excelleth,  which 
is  ordained  of  God;  and  to  every  ordinance  of  man 
are  we  subject  for  the  Lord's  sake;  but  should  we  bow 
to  the  spirit  of  pride,  we  should  betray  the  Lord,  and 
give  his  honour  to  another,  and  that  is  not  for  the  Lord's 
sake,  and  what  is  against  him  for  his  sake,  we  deny, 
and  with  him  suffer  under  it,  as  witness  for  him  against 
it.  So  we  give  Caesar  his  due,  and  honour  to  whom  it 
belongs,  but  all  glory  and  worship  to  God  alone,  to 
whom  it  is  due. 

But  you  say,  that  worship  we  plead  for  is  civil  not 
religious;  but  where  do  you  read  in  scripture  of  civil 


(  :m  ) 


worship?  We  find,  honour  all  men  in  the  Lord,  and 
that  which  is  in  the  Lord  is  religious;  and  that  which 
is  not  in  the  Lord  is  idolatrous.  Is  there  any  thing  hon- 
orable in  man  but  the  image  of  God,  which  is  spiritual? 
And  if  any  honor  that  of  God  in  man,  is  it  not  on  a 
religious  account?  And  yet  you  say  for  conscience 
sake,  and  not  religious:  so  your  distinctions  will  not 
gain  worship  from  them  who  know  God  and  his  image, 
and  the  beast  and  his  image  in  their  several  appearan- 
ces; and  by  this  are  they  known  forever.  He  that  is 
from  above,  seeks  not  honour  from  man,  but  that  honor 
which  is  of  God  alone;  God's  presence  in  him  makes 
him  honorable  in  the  hearts  of  all  that  love  God ;  so 
God  gives  him  grace  and  glory,  and  honour;  but  the 
other  must  have  none  from  God,  who  abide  not  in  that 
which  is  honorable,  and  so  become  as  the  beast,  seek- 
ing honour  by  force,  from  such  as  he  hath  power  over, 
and  rages  if  he  cannot  have  it.  And  this  nature  hath 
no  right  to  it,  though  the  false  prophet  join  with  him  to 
plead  for  it,  who  must  be  cast  into  the  lake  together. 
And  all  that  worship  the  beast  and  his  image  must 
drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  God,  poured  out  with- 
out mixture,  as  saith  the  scripture. 

So  you  that  are  in  place  to  rule  and  seek  for  honour, 
seek  first  that  which  is  honorable,  and  none  can  hold 
you  from  honor;  and  know,  it  is  the  gift  of  God  only 
to  such  as  honour  him,  and  not  themselves:  seek  that 
glory  and  honor  that  hath  immortality  and  eternal  life, 
which  is  obtained  of  God  by  continuance  in  well  doing. 
Seek  humility  that  goes  before  honour,  exalt  justice, 
set  up  righteousness  and  truth  in  judgment,  hold  forth 
God's  sword  to  all  people  under  you,  and  not  your  own 
wills,  without  respect  of  persons;  then  you  honor  God, 
and  he  will  honor  you.  Seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God, 
that  he  may  rule  in  your  own  hearts,  over  your  pride, 
over  your  passion,  over  lust,  over  covetousness,  over 
respect  of  persons,  and  over  all  unrighteousness;  so 
shall  you  set  up  the  higher  power  in  you,  for  every  soul 
to  be  subject  to,  which  that  of  God  in  every  conscience 
shall  answer  to:  then  are  you  ministers  of  God,  and  he 
shall  add  to  you  that  honor  which  is  of  God^  which  is 


I  (  399  ) 

spiritual,  which  is  immortal,  binding  every  conscience 
and  soul  in  subjection  to  your  authority,  which  all  that 
resist  receive  damnation  to  themselves.  And  this  is  re- 
ligious, and  an  ordinance  of  God,  and  receives  not  its 
honor  from  man,  but  from  God  alone,  who  hath  ever 
honored  holy  men  and  women,  that  ruled  for  God,  as 
you  may  read  in  the  scriptures;  who  never  needed  to 
seek  it  from  men  while  they  retained  God ;  but  Saul 
when  God  was  departed  from  him,  through  covetousness 
and  disobedience,  cried,  honour  me  before  the  people, 
who  had  lost  the  kingdom,  had  lost  his  honor,  had  lost 
that  which  binds  the  conscience,  and  to  which  the  soul 
is  to  be  subject,  who  cried,  honor  me  before  the  people, 
from  whom  God  was  departed,  who  had  departed  from 
God,  who  sought  honor  to  himself  without  God,  the 
kingdom  being  rent  from  him,  his  honour  departed:  so 
you  that  would  have  honor,  seek  God,  and  retain  him, 
exalt  his  kingdom  in  your  hearts,  and  he  will  add  hon- 
or thereto;  but  if  you  be  disobedient,  and  your  own 
souls  be  not  subject  to  the  higher  power,  then  another 
power  rules,  to  which  the  righteous  soul  cannot  subject 
I  for  conscience  sake ;  then  gets  up  he  that's  out  of  God's 
I   kingdom,  and  cries,  honour  me  before  the  people. 

And  this  is  he  that  sought  David's  life,  and  seeks 
the  life  of  his  seed,  who  is  disobedient,  who  is  covetous, 
who  is  greedy  of  honour,  who  is  a  murderer,  who  keeps 
not  the  word  of  God,  nor  abode  in  the  truth,  to  keep 
down  pride  and  vain  glory;  then  the  false  prophet  cries, 
worship  this;  so  such  as  be  out  of  the  faith  of  Christ, 
disobedient  to  the  law  of  God,  and  in  respect  of  per- 
sons; such  as  be  flatterers,  liars,  scorners,  fighters, 
drunkards,  swearers,  and  such  as  be  out  of  the  kingdom 
of  God,  whose  souls  are  not  subject  to  the  higher  power 
for  conscience  sake,  such  bow  and  worship  with  putting 
off  hats,  and  bowing  of  the  knee  to  the  person,  but  the 
soul  of  such  is  not  subject  to  the  power  that  is  of  God 
for  conscience  sake;  yet  such  is  the  darkness  of  many 
rulers,  as  to  account  this  subjection  to  authority,  while 
such  whose  souls  do  truly  bow  to  the  power  of  righteous- 
ness, justice,  and  equity,  wherever  it  is,  without  flatter- 
ing where  it  is  not,  are  condemned  for  unmannerliness. 


♦ 


(  400  ) 


disorder, and  suffer  as  disobedient  to  authority;  but  to 
that  of  God  in  every  conscience  do  we  appear,  whether 
such  souls  exalt  the  power  which  is  of  God,  and  seek 
his  honor,  or  their  own;  and  so  as  you  honor  God  he 
will  honor  you:  but  seek  it  as  eagerly  as  you  will  with- 
out him,  it  will  flee  from  you,  though  flattery  you  may 
obtain,  which  will  corrupt  your  judgment,  and  let  in 
upon  you  everlasting  dishonor.  Wherefore  turn  to  the 
Lord  with  your  whole  hearts,  and  seek  his  glory  alone, 
that  he  may  put  upon  you  his  spirit  of  humility  and 
righteousjudgment,  that  you  may  be  covered  therewith 
as  with  a  garment:  so  shall  you  freely  have  our  souls 
subjection,  which  now  in  secret  mourns  for  you,  with 
prayers  and  tears  before  God,  and  openly  suffers  under 
you  for  a  testimony  against  you.  And  now  you  that 
are  not  in  place  to  rule,  and  seek  to  be  worshipped  of  us, 
what  is  it  you  would  have  us  bow  to  in  you  or  upon  you? 
Gladly  would  we  see  humility  appear  in  you,  and  be- 
hold you  covered  with  the  spirit  of  God,  that  in  our  souls 
we  might  be  subject  thereto,  and  so  in  the  Lord  honor 
you:  but  should  we  bow  to  your  gold  and  silver  lace, 
yourcostly  apparel  or  earthly  riches?  To  that  of  God 
in  you  all  we  appeal,  if  we  should  not  worship  idols, 
and  break  the  law  of  God,  for  which  doing,  how  should 
we  be  excused  before  God  at  the  day  of  account,  let 
such  as  fear  God  more  than  man  judge.  J,  N. 

O  YOU  rulers  and  teachers  of  these  nations,  to  which 
Christ  Jesus  hath  shewed  so  much  favor  as  to  honor 
these  nations  with  his  first  appearance,  now  after  so 
long  a  night;  and  that  from  hence  the  sun-rise  of  right- 
eousness should  shine  forth  in  clearness  to  the  world, 
over  the  head  of  all  idolatry,  false  worships,  corrupt 
laws,  violence  and  oppression,  and  all  the  numberless 
number  of  vain  customs,  pride  and  excess,  in  which  the 
whole  world  lies  in  wickedness,  and  with  which  the 
holy  pure  one  is  burthened,  and  hath  been  grieved  these 
many  years,  against  which  he  is  now  arisen  in  many  of 
his  servants,  openly  to  declare,  not  only  here,  but  in 
most  parts  of  the  world,  and  should  you  be  the  men  now 
to  set  yourselves  against  this  work,  by  evil  intreating 


I  (  401  ) 

such  as  are  called  thereto,  and  are  found  therein,  which 
yoiir  teachers  do  not  go  about  themselves.  What  will 
you  answer  the  Lord  to  these  things?  Is  there  no  need 
of  this  work  at  home  or  abroad  ?  Is  your  streets  and 
markets  clear,  and  )our  worship  pure?  Where  can  the 
pure  eye  of  God  look  out,  and  not  behold  iniquity  and 
provocation?  Do  you  look  for  his  coming,  and  evil 
entreat  his  servants,  whom  he  sends  to  prepare  his  way 
before  him?  Would  you  have  him  to  find  you  as  Sodom 
at  his  coming?  If  you  see  these  evils  abound  in  the 
world,  why  do  you  set  yourselves  against  such  as  call 
to  repentance  where  these  things  most  abound?  Are 
vour  streets  and  temples  prepared  for  the  pure  God  to 
walk  and  be  worshipped  in  with  delight,  when  a  mortal 
man  who  hath  but  modesty  in  his  face  cannot  behold 
but  be  grieved  with  the  excess  of  vanity  and  deceit 
shown  openly  therein?  Is  the  way  prepared  in  your 
streets  and  temples  for  the  Iamb,  when  a  lion  cannot 
pass  for  briars  and  thorns,  and  other  fruitless  trees  tear- 
ing, and  hauling,  and  bruising?  Did  you  love  him  in  truth 
you  would  also  hate  that  which  would  grieve  his  holy 
spirit  at  his  coming  in  yourselves,  and  in  others,  and  you 
would  hinder  none  that  come  in  his  name  who  seek  to 
make  an  end  of  sin,  seeing  nothing  else  hinders  his  ap- 
pearance, nor  hath  caused  his  departure  from  the  chil- 
dren of  men;  and  you  that  call  yourselves  ministers 
of  Christ,  had  not  the  spirit  of  slumber  possessed  you 
this  would  be  your  work;  did  the  holy  spirit  dwell  in 
your  houses,  and  look  out  at  your  windows,  you  could 
not  be  silent  till  you  had  driven  iniquity  into  a  corner, 
and  made  pride  to  blush,  and  lying,  swearing,  and  all 
cursed  speaking,  afraid  to  utter  its  voice  in  the  streets, 
that  the  pure  eye  might  bless  you,  and  the  holy  one  de- 
light to  walk  in  the  open  streets  of  your  greatest  meet- 
ings; should  not  this  be  the  work  of  the  ministers  of 
righteousness,  and  messengers  of  Christ  Jesus,  rather 
than  to  petition  the  rulers  of  the  world  against  such  as 
are  found  in  this  work,  to  the  utmost  of  your  power, 
hindering  it  both  at  home  and  abroad,  neither  going 
about  it  yourselves,  nor  suffering  them  that  would ;  were 
vou  seen  to  be  diligent  in  this  work  you  should  appear 

51^ 


(  402  ) 

to  be  such  servants  as  truly  wait  for  your  Lord's  comiiif^ 
in  peace,  and  not  in  wrath,  and  that  you  had  received 
the  earnest  of  the  spirit  which  travels  for  the  delivering 
of  the  creation  from  the  bondage  of  corruption,  and  the 
glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God,  and  the  joy  and 
peace  of  the  king  of  righteousness  at  his  coming  over 
the  whole  world. 

These  were  written  in  Oliver  Cromwell's  time,  to  him,  his  rulers  and 
teachers,  and  published  in  1658,  and  the  former  of  them 
printed,  and  now  reprinted. 


SPIRIT  or  TRUTH, 


MESSAGE 


FROM  THE 


A 


UNTO  THE 


HOLY  SEED, 


'>Vho  are  choseu  out  of  the  world,  and  are  lovers  and  followers 


You  lovers  and  followers  of  the  light,  to  you  is  the 
message  sent,  in  it  abide,  that  the  glory  of  the  only  be- 
gotten of  the  Father  you  may  behold,  and  be  changed 
from  glory  to  glory:  fill  not  your  heads,  but  feel  the  life 
of  what  in  this  following  paper  is  declared.  For  though 
the  thief,  the  boaster,  the  proud  and  exalted  ones  have, 
or  may  cover  themselves  with  like  words,  yet  this  birth 
never  was,  is,  or  shall  be  brought  forth,  but  by  the  espous- 
ed virgin;  pure,  chaste,  and  spotless,  true  and  abiding 
innocency;  far  distant  from  all  feigned  purity,  which 
many  being  puffed  up  in  their  vain  minds,  have,  or  may 
intrude  into  things  they  know  not,  and  so  deceive  the 
simple  by  a  voluntary  humility,  and  worshipping  of  An- 
gels, These  hold  not  fast  the  head  which  gives  the  life 
to  every  member;  he  that  is  without  beginning  of  days, 
or  end  of  life;  by  whom,  and  for  whom  all  these  things 
were  made ;  to  him  shall  every  knee  bow,  who  filleth  all 
in  all,  of  whose  fullness  we  have  received  grace  for 
grace;  who  in  these  following  lines  salutes  the  whole 
elect  of  God  every  where,  plentifully  giving  forth  to  the 
great  mystery  of  godliness,  hidden  from  ages  and  gene- 
rations, now  made  manifest  to  the  meek  and  upright  in 
lieart,  who  in  the  unfeigned  love  abide,  which  endures 


of  the  LIGHT. 


By  James  Nayler. 


TO  THE  READERS. 


for  ever. 


(  404  ) 


A  MESSAGE 

FROM  THE  SPIRIT  OF  TRUTH,  UNTO  THE  HOLY  SEED. 

Dear  friends,  brethren  and  sisters,  of  the  seed  of  A* 
bralianfi,  partakers  with  him  in  the  holy  call,  and  who  in 
bis  faith  wait  for  that  glory  and  inheritance  immortal, 
which  every  one  of  you  shall  receive  at  the  appearance 
of  the  great  God,  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  you  all  be 
peace,  truth,  and  love  increased,  wherein  you  may  be  es- 
tai)lished  to  the  end  of  your  calling. 

That  which  is  set  before  me  in  the  spirit  of  truth,  anc^ 
for  w^hich  my  soul  travels  and  breaths  after  in  the  whole 
creation  (but  especially  in  you  who  are  already  called 
thereunto)  lam  moved  to  impart  unto  you,  thereby  to 
stir  you  up  earnestly  to  press  on  towards  the  appearance 
of  that  to  which  you  are  called  in  one,  which  is  no  other 
than  what  hath  been  holden  forth  from  the  beginning, 
even  the  only  begotten  of  the  father,  filled  with  grace 
and  truth  ;  for  the  obtaining  whereof,  you  that  are  faith- 
ful have  denied  the  delights  of  this  present  world,  and 
do  daily  undergo  the  enmity  thereof.  Of  whose  appear- 
ance many  of  you  have  received  a  certain  hf)pe  which 
cannot  be  shaken,  and  a  measure  of  him  some  are  come 
to  in  the  same  spirit,  who  have  seen,  felt,  and  handled 
of  his  appearance,  and  have  received  of  his  fullness, 
wherein  alone  you  excel,  and  are  able  to  hold  forth 
that  life  in  the  power  of  obedience,  meekness,  and  fear, 
which  no  form  nor  knowledge  without  is  able  to  bear  or 
biing  forth,  which  is  that  alone  wherein  I  rejoice  in  you: 
and  not  only  so,  but  find  cause  in  heart  to  magnify  that 
goodness  and  glorious  power  of  God,  already  manifested 
in  you,  and  through  you  to  the  world,  whose  praise  will 
daily  increase,  as  his  virtues  appear  in  you;  which  that 
you,  and  all  the  number  of  called  ones  may  increase  in. 
and  grow  to  the  stature,  and  full  appearance  of  our  Lord 
and  vSaviour  Jesus  Christ,  is  the  full  desire  of  my  soul, 
and  that  which  will  give  us  an  assured  joy  and  perfect 
pe  !ce  in  one,  when  knowledge  will  vanish,  and  that 
which  is  in  part  shall  be  done  away 


(   40&  ) 

A  ^  Wherefore  you  that  have  received  the  spirit  of  prophe- 
cy, and  that  light  out  of  darkness,  w  hich  lets  you  see 
what  manner  ol  one  the  Son  of  God  must  be  at  his  ap- 
jjearing  in  spirit  and  power,  holiness  and  great  glory,  I 
beseech  you  that  none  of  you  sit  down  at  rest  in  this 
sight,  nor  be  you  puffed  up  therewith,  as  though  you  had 
already  attained,  lest  thereby  the  enemy  prevail  to  ex- 
alt you  above  what  is  meet,  and  so  others,  less  in  wis- 
dom, who  are  more  lowly,  in  spirit  step  in  before  you.^ 
and  obtain  that  crown  and  glory  to  which  you  were 
called;  and  so  while  you  feed  on  the  knowledge  you 
lose  the  life;  but  that  every  one  wait  in  the  light  to  feel 
the  power  and  life  of  the  Son  of  God  manifest  in  your 
bodies,  giving  you  victory  over  your  own  spirits,  and 

'  raising  you  up  out  of  death  into  tiie  life  of  the  prophe- 
cies, that  you  may  all  know  the  true  worship  in  spirit, 
and  what  you  bow  unto,  that  henceforth  you  may  be  ser- 
vants of  rigliteousness,  begotten  and  not  feigned,  which 
only  hath  food  able  to  satisfy  your  thirsting  souls,  that 
you  may  all  feel  the  only  begotten  of  God  in  virtue  and 
power,  working  mightily  the  work  of  the  father,  and  de- 
stroying the  work  of  the  Devil  in  every  particular,  for 
hereunto  were  you  first  called,  that  you  should  inherit 
eternhl  life  and  power,  the  (rue  riches  of  grace  in  right- 
eousness, and  to  receive  a  kingdom  that  cannot  be  remo- 
ved, but  that  is  able  to  keep  you  against  all  assaults  of 
the  enemy,  w'hich  riches  is  God's  only  begotten,  in  whom 
is  received  of  the  perfect  fullness  of  God,  which  is  only 
able  to  satisfy  all  fears,  and  supply  all  wants,  in  all  who 
attain  to  his  appearance. 

And  further,  I  beseech  you  that  you  satisfy  not  your- 
selves only  with  a  feeling  of  this  working  in  you,  but 
that  you  diligently  attend  an  entrance  thereinto,  that 
you  may  put  him  on  whom  the  fatlier  begetteth  and  for- 
nieth  in  you,  that  your  souls  may  be  bathed  and  anoint- 
ed therein.  And  not  only  so,  but  that  you  bring  forth  be- 
fore all  men,  even  him  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God  in 
meekness,  long-suffering,  in  patience,  in  righteousness, 
in  godly  holiness,  and  all  his  virtues;  the  living  image  of 
him  by  whom  he  is  begotten ;  that  it  may  appear  to  all 
men  whose  you  are,  and  who  possesses  the  vessel,  and 


(   406  ) 


what  he  is  that  appears  therein ;  that  it  may  be  seen  and 
confessed  that  God  is  in  you  of  a  truth,  revealed  in  his 
only  begotten;  for  this  is  he,  to  whom  at  his  appearance 
every  tongue  shall  confess,  and  every  heart  be  struck 
with  fear;  though  the  form  of  his  beauty, and  visage  of 
his  glory  hath  (amongst  false  births  and  feigned  profes- 
sion) been  more  marred  than  any  man's;  who  instead  of 
bringing  forth  into  the  world  the  only  begotten  of  God, 
to  convince  and  condemn  the  world  of  all  ungodliness, 
and  save  them  from  it,  have  brought  forth  the  conceiv- 
ings of  their  own  brains,  and  the  child  born  to  them  is  no 
Saviour,  but  their  birth  hath  left  them  in  the  world,  and 
one  with  it,  who  are  now  turning  the  words  of  Christ  a- 
gainst  his  works,  and  their  power  to  withstand  his  ap- 
pearance in  others,  who  is  the  same  which  was,  and  is, 
and  is  to  come  to  all  generations. 

So  that  instead  of  holding  forth  that  spiritual  power 
of  perfect  redemption  from  above,  to  save  his  people 
from  their  sins,  and  set  them  at  liberty  from  the  bond- 
age of  corruption,  to  serve  God  in  the  new  man,  the  son 
of  righteousness,  of  peace,  and  holiness,  God's  image, 
there  appears  the  son  of  wickedness,  in  every  form  at 
liberty,  and  pleaded  for  the  image  and  power  of  all  un- 
righteousness and  ungodliness,  preached  and  set  up;  so 
that  the  very  faith  and  hope  of  God's  appearance  in 
their  generation  is  destroyed.    So  these  not  waiting  in 
faith,  single  in  the  begettings  of  God  from  above,  to  see 
in  patience  that  formed,  born  and  brought  forth,  but  mix- 
ing with  their  reasonings  and  wisdom  from  below,  have 
not  attained  his  appearance,  but  have  turned  the  truth 
of  God  into  a  lie,  his  glory  into  shame;  wherefore  God 
hath  given  them  up  to  believe  their  own  conceivings; 
and  you  hath  he  called  into  that  glorious  hope  and  pow- 
erful faith,  wherein  you  now  stand;  and  them  he  hath 
left  to  be  heirs  of  the  corruptions  of  this  world,  which 
they  have  minded  more  than  himself;  where  now  many 
of  them  are  the  great  opposers  of  his  appearance,  who 
were  once  called  to  bear  a  measure  of  his  testimony  in 
spiritual  life  and  power. 

And  now,  dear  friends,  the  called  of  God  yon  are,  un- 
to the  day  of  his  coming,  whose  light  hath  shined  out  of 


(  407  ) 


darkness,  giving  you  a  knowledge  in  this  great  mystery 
and  hope,  and  a  power  you  have  received  from  above, 
whereby  you  are  come  nearer  the  day  tlian  those  before 
you,  and  many  have  denied  the  world  and  their  inheri- 
tance, that  you  might  stand  single  in  hope  thereof.  Now 
the  day  is  yours  if  you  be  watchful,  and  faithful  thereto, 
that  you  mix  not  with  the  earthly  seed,  nor  bring  forth  a 
false  birth,  but  that  your  hearts  be  single,  and  open  to 
receive  him  from  above,  the  heavenly  seed  is  in  the  will 
of  God,  and  not  of  yourselves;  the  son  of  righteousness, 
the  father's  glory,  who  hath  the  living  image  and  power 
of  God,  to  make  all  sons  and  daughters  of  the  most 
high,  conformable  to  himself,  and  heirs  with  him  of  the 
same  kingdom,  glory  and  power;  even  as  many  of  you 
as  so  receive  him,  as  to  put  him  on  as  he  is,  and  so  walk 
in  him  as  the  begotten  of  God,  children  of  the  most  ho- 
ly, whom  he  hath  counted  worthy  of  so  high  a  callingc 
as  to  receive  his  name,  power,  and  glory,  and  to  bear 
testimony  what  he  is  before  all  men,  and  to  hold  forth 
the  power  that  you  have  in  his  name  and  image,  above 
all  names  and  forms,  in  Heaven  or  in  earth;  and  this 
with  all  diligence,  meekness,  and  fear,  least  satan  de- 
ceive you  of  that  simplicity  that  is  in  him,  and  so  you 
come  short  of  his  glory,  and  others  be  called.  Now  quit 
yourselves  as  the  beloved  of  God ;  cast  off  every  weight 
which  would  hinder  your  attaining  him,  that  in  the  light 
is  set  before  you;  crucify  every  affection  after  the  earth- 
ly, and  put  away  all  the  cares  and  pleasures  that  would 
choak  this  seed,  and  whatever  would  mix  in  your  minds, 
or  plead  for  a  place  in  your  hearts,  let  it  be  to  you  as  an 
accursed  thing,  that  the  blessing  of  Abraham  may  come 
upon  you,  and  through  you  to  manifest  to  all  the  world, 
and  that  the  holy  name  of  Christ  may  be  glorified  in 
you,  which  hath  long  been  polluted  through  such  who 
have  professed  it  in  a  contrary  nature. 

For  this  is  he  to  whose  appearance  in  the  world  every 
tongue  shall  be  made  to  confess,  and  the  angels  of  God 
shall  worship  him,  for  he  is  the  glory  of  God,  and  powei 
of  righteousness  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  God's  love  and 
good  will  amongst  men,  and  in  him  is  the  father  reveal- 
ed, whom  no  eye  hath  seen.   You  that  have  received 


{   408  ) 


him,  and  hold  him  forth,  are  the  light  of  the  world,  ht 
him  shine  to  the  glory  of  your  father;  it's  you  that  hold 
forth  the  foundation  of  faith;  he  being  lifted  up  will 
draw  all  men  to  him:  hold  him  forth  clearly,  as  you  re- 
ceive him  from  above,  and  there  is  that  in  every  con- 
science that  will  answer  to  his  appearance,  for  God  hath 
not  left  him  without  witness:  So  that  he  that  believes 
not  is  condemned  already  in  himself,  because  he  believes 
not  in  that  only  begotten  of  God,  whom  the  father  hath 
sent  into  the  world.  If  he  doth  not  that  work  in  you, 
which  none  other  can  do,  then  how  should  any  believe 
or  confess  that  it  is  he.  But  at  his  appearance  his 
works  shall  declare  him,  and  leave  all  without  ex- 
cuse. 

His  righteousness,  his  meekness,  his  patient  suffer- 
ings, his  lowly-mindedness,  his  faith  and  obedience  to 
the  father,  his  love  and  tender  compassion  towards  all 
men,  being  richly  furnished  with  all  manner  of  godliness, 
shall  declare  him  whose  image  he  bears,  and  whose 
son  he  is,  and  from  whence  he  comes,  for  the  earth  hath 
not  those  fruits,  power  and  glory:  Thus  shall  he  be  glo- 
rified in  his  saints,  and  admired  in  all  them  that  believe, 
and  receive  his  testimony:  and  in  this  birth  you  shall 
not  only  save  yourselves,  but  hold  forth  salvation  to  all 
that  hear  thereof. 

Wherefore  as  you  profess  that  holy  calling  above 
others,  so  in  fear  of  God  take  heed  what  you  brmg  forth, 
be  sober  and  watch  diligently  in  that  which  is  from 
above,  least  the  enemy  prevail  to  mix  somewhat  of 
your  own  to  hold  forth  in  his  name,  that  hath  not  the 
nature,  power,  nor  purity  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  that 
being  above  spoil  you  of  his  appearance,  and  mar  the 
true  image  which  you  will  find  the  envious  one  seeks  to 
devour  upon  all  occasions,  that  alone  having  power 
over  the  head  of  the  serpent ;  wherefore  see  that  you  be 
covered  with  him  alone,  as  he  is  from  heaven. 

But  above  all  things,  I  beseech  you  put  him  on  as  he 
is  the  Son  of  God's  love,  and  so  hold  him  forth  towards 
all  men,  but  especially  towards  the  brethren;  so  much 
the  more  as  this  being  that  which  the  enemy  hath  cast 
long  upon  the  children  of  light  [to  wit]  want  of  love. 


t   409  ) 

raking  his  advantage  while  the  way  hath  been  prepar- 
ing thereto,  and  the  spirit  of  judgment  and  burning  hath 
passed  on  the  old  building,  a  time  of  s(;rrow,and  pulling 
down,  dressing  the  house  where  love  should  dwell;  so 
that  though  the  root  of  the  matter  was  in  it,  yet  could 
not  in  that  time  spring  forth  towards  others,  nor  indeed 
be  fully  shed  abroad  in  the  heart,  while  that  is  there 
which  God  hates;  which  love  many  have  now  received, 
and  it  is  full  time  to  bring  forth,  him  so  begotten  in  you, 
least  any  selfishness  appear  in  his  stead,  and  so  prevent 
m  of  that  which  is  most  excellent:  but  that  you  all 
may  put  him  on,  as  he  is  manifest  from  the  father's  bo- 
som, and  that  you  be  clothed  therewith,  from  heaven, 
-o  plentifully,  that  you  may  have  to  cast  over  a  brother's 
nakedness,  a  garment  of  the  same  love,  who  came  from 
above  to  lay  down  his  life  for  his  enemies,  and  of  the 

'  same  power,  who  can  forgive  sins,  and  offences,  above 
seven  limes  a  day,  beholding  each  others  with  that  good 
eye  which  waits  for  ihe  soul  and  not  for  the  sin,  which 

'  covers,  and  overcomes  the  evil  with  the  good,  that  with 
him  you  may  be  perfect  in  love,  judging,  and  receiving 
one  another  in  the  increase  of  God,  and  not  in  that 
which  is  for  destruction,  giving  more  abundant  honour  to 
him  that  lackeih,  that  in  the  body  be  no  schism,  nor  de- 
file one  another,  nor  keep  alise  a  brother's  iniquity,  nor 
blot  out  the  name,  and  appearing  of  the  holy  seed  in  the 
least,  but  keep  the  Lord  in  your  eye,  and  the  evils  shall 
die  and  vanish  away  from  amongst  you,  and  the  appear- 
ance shall  be  the  Lord's,  and  to  him  shall  the  gathering 
of  the  nations  be;  hungry  souls  shall  see,  and  be  satis- 
fied with  his  likeness,  and  all  that  behold  his  beauty 
shall  confess  unto  him,  a^?d  in  him  shall  the  upright 
heart  delight,  for  at  his  coming  shall  he  establish  the 
throne  of  righteousness,  and  measure  every  appearance, 
and  correct  every  false  judgment,  and  that  which  en- 
snares the  simple  will  be  cast  out,  for  by  the  power  of 
his  appearance  shall  every  thing  be  tried,  and  peace 
proclaimed  in  the  name  of  righteousness  alone,  for  that 
which  is  not  like  him,  will  not  be  able  to  stand  before 
his  appearance.  But  we  know  that  when  he  appears, 
we  shall  be  like  him:  he  that  hath  this  hope  purifies 

:)2 


(  410  ) 


himself  even  as  he  is  pure,  that  he  may  be  seen  in  him 
at  his  coming. 

Now  dear  friends,  is  your  sound  gone  forth  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  and  God  hath  made  you  famous 
amongst  your  enemies,  in  that  you  have  begun  to  confess 
his  name,  and  nature,  and  that  he  is  in  you  whom  many 
are  looking  for  here  and  there;  and  now  the  eyes  of 
people  and  nations  are  upon  you  to  see  your  end,  and 
now  your  glory  is  in  putting  him  on,  and  covering  you 
with  him,  a  lamb  without  blemish,  before  God  and 
man,  that  in  him  you  may  obtain  good  report,  unrepro- 
vable,  and  holy,  so  shall  you  stop  the  way  of  the  des- 
troyer, and  put  an  end  to  all  false  conceptions,  and  re- 
vive the  hope  of  Israel. 

Let  his  innocency  be  your  armour,  and  put  your  trust 
in  his  truth,  for  your  salvation.    The  time  is  full  come 
for  you  to  declare  what  he  is  to  you,  with  boldness,  with 
a  confession  beyond  words;  for  this  appearance  of  him 
in  love  is  that  which  shall  judge  all   likenesses,  and  try 
all  spirits,  actions,  judgments  and  appearances,  and  by 
this  shall  you  all  be  measured,  what  spirits  you  are  of, 
and  all  spirits  in  the  world,  for  he  shall  bring  every  hid- 
den formed  feigned  thing  to  light,  at  his  coming;  and 
whatever  hath  not  this  love  in  it,  is  not  his,  nor  begotten 
of  God;  but  he  that  hath  this  love  is  begotten  of  God. 
and  hath  him,  the  Father  and  the  Son,  the  end  of  the 
law  and  the  prophets,  the  substance  and  life  of  all  knowl- 
edge, faith  and  works,  the  root  and  ground  of  every 
good  gift;  for  herein  are  we  made  perfect  in  love, that 
we  may  have  boldness  in  the  day  of  judgment,  because 
we  have  put  him  on,  and  dwell  in  him,  who  is  love;  and 
as  he  is,  so  are  we  in  this  world.    But  he  that  loveth  not. 
is  not  made  perfect  in  fath,  in  knowledge,  in  judgment, 
having  not  learned  Christ  herein,  therefore  by  this  he 
must  be  judged  himself.    So  blessed  is  he  thai  judges 
nothing  before  the  time,  who  condemns  not  himself, 
wherein  he  judges  another;  all  judgment  being  commit- 
ted to  him  that  can  lay  down  his  life  for  his  enemies. 
Therefore  happy  are  you  if  you  have  him  on  first,  for 
when  he  appears  his  judgment  is  true,  and  shall  stand, 
when  all  that  hath  come  before  him  shall  pass  away, 
for  him  alone  hath  the  father  sealed. 


(  411  ) 


So  dearly  beloved  ones,  my  soul  breathes  towards  you. 
lereiii,  that  in  all  your  several  gifts  and  administrations, 
this  Son  of  God  be  your  eye  and  end,  the  beauty  and 
glory  of  the  father,  that  the  hope  thereof  to  attain,  may 
stay  you  in  all  trials  and  temptations,  knowing  that  in 
iiim  alone  is  your  lasting  peace,  and  that  which  doth  now 
befal  you  in  all  your  afflictions  is  to  shake  all  other  ap- 
pearances, that  way  may  be  made  for  him  alone,  whose 
image  and  life  none  can  judge  nor  condemn.  And  the 
day  is  come,  that  happy  is  that  man  who  hath  nothing 
else  to  glory  in;  and  this  know,  that  the  appearance  of 
God  in  his  own  begotten,  is  your  glory;  and  if  any  man 
boast  himself,  and  not  herein,  when  he  is  weighed  there- 
with he  will  be  found  wanting,  the  sound  thereof  will 
not  save  him. 

As  the  same  spirit  from  whence  this  comes,  moves  ia  any  one,  so  let  them 
send  it  abroad  amongst  the  called  of  God,  to  be  read  and  known. 

Come  forth  you  children  of  light,  come  forth,  depart 
out  of  the  world,  touch  not  the  unclean  thing,  that  the 
holy  one  may  make  his  appearance  amongst  you;  make 
baste  to  the  day  of  your  God.  If  he  shine  forth  salva- 
tion is  with  you,  but  he  cannot  appear  in  that  heart 
where  the  world  is  retained.  If  you  be  like  the  world 
li  will  own  you,  but  that  image  which  it  receives  not,  is 
your  everlasting  glory  and  beauty.  So  mind  what  works 
in  the  vessel;  for  now  must  every  child  appear  like  his 
father,  and  must  bring  to  light  of  what  spirit  he  is  begot- 
ten ;  and  only  blessed  is  he  that  comes  in  the  name  of  the 
lord,  with  power  and  great  glory,  that  which  the  world 
is  ashamed  of,  is  that  with  which  the  Son  of  God  is  glo- 
rified, and  again  must  be  glorified,  he  that  bears  the  ini- 
quities of  men,  and  is  filled  with  reproach,  and  yet  ap- 
pears without  sin,  is  our  Saviour.  And  a  lamb  without 
spot  must  take  away  the  sin  of  the  world;  his  manifes- 
tation destroys  the  work  of  the  devil;  in  a  body  prepa- 
red he  delights  to  perform  the  counsel  of  God,  and  to 
bring  hidden  things  to  light;  that  he  may  speak  myste- 
ries to  the  wise  therein,  and  hold  forth  a  way  to  the  sim- 
ple, leading  out  of  the  snares  of  subtility. 


(  412  ) 


Wherefore  all  that  love  his  appearance,  and  seek  the 
face  of  redemption,  love  that  which  prepares  his  way  to 
his  appearance  in  his  temple;  that  which  hreaks  down 
the  will  of  man,  and  as  a  fire  goes  before  him;  which  is 
that  baptism  with  which  all  that  will  receive  him  must 
be  baptized  into  death.  So  when  sorrow,  anguish,  and 
tribulation  comes  upon  you,  rejoice,  and  fly  not.  This 
comes  to  destroy  nothing  but  destruction,  and  to  kill  that 
which  keeps  you  from  eternal  life,  and  to  prepare  a  way 
for  your  peace,  and  a  place  for  everlasting  righteous- 
ness to  dwell  in  you.  For  truly  friends,  in  the  threshing 
floor  must  the  altar  be  set  up,  and  where  God  answers 
by  fire, there  must  his  house  be  built:  and  as  many  as 
look  to  the  end  of  this,  may  not  despise  correction,  nor 
faint  under  the  hand  of  reproof. 

That  is  good  which  brings  down  into  the  depth,  where 
the  wonders  of  God  are  learned,  for  he  that  will  labour 
in  God's  vineyard  must  know  every  seed,  and  its  root: 
what  feeds  it,  and  what  famisheth  it,  and  the  ground  of 
every  weed,  and  cause  of  every  curse.  This  many  may 
see,  when  it's  come  to  a  tree,  brancheth,  and  brings 
forth  fruit;  but  tlien  it's  strong  and  powerful,  and  not 
easily  plucked  iip,  seldom  got  down  without  fire,  and 
much  sorrow,  therefore  blessed  is  that  eye  that's  lowly 
and  diligent,  which  sees  every  several  appearance,  that 
he  may  slay  the  seed  of  wickedness  e're  it  bud,  and  not 
sufl'er  the  enmity  to  take  root;  for  he  that  suffers  divers 
seeds  shall  have  sorrow  therein;  and  he  that  sows  a- 
mongst  thorns  and  briars  must  reap  trouble;  and  where 
this  kind  is  suffered  to  grow,  there  is  torment  to  them- 
selves, and  trouble  to  others,  for  how  should  the  thistle 
change  its  nature? 

So  all  that  desire  peace,  prepare  a  place  that  the  seed 
thereof  may  grow  alone,  and  the  sun  thereof  may  arise 
and  shine  clearly,  that  nothing  may  grieve  his  holy  spir- 
it, for  Jacob  must  dwell  alone,  and  not  be  numbered 
among  the  rest  of  the  nations,  neither  hath  the  lamb  fel- 
lowship with  the  beasts  of  the  field. 

Now  as  you  have  seen  the  image  of  the  earthly,  and 
felt  his  power  and  inclination  to  earthly  things,  captiva- 
ting your  minds  downward,  to  things  below;  even  se 


C  413  ) 


must  you  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly,  tf  he  reigi; 
hat  conies  from  above.  Till  then  think  not  you  are 
perfect,  nor  have  attained  to  the  resurrecton  of  the  dead. 
For  this  1  know  of  him,  in  whom  your  life  is  hid,  that 
as  he  ariseth,  he  shall  as  strongly  lead  your  minds  into 
the  heavenly,  as  ever  you  were  captivated  with  the 
earthly.  So  he  that  can  read  the  figure,  rejoice  in  hope 
concerning  him  that  is  to  come;  yet  let  none  glory  in 
the  sight  of  this  knowledge,  but  press  into  the  life  there- 
of, that  God  may  be  seen  and  glorified  in  you.  For  as 
lie  that  hath  gone  much  out  with  his  mind,  and  halli 
drank  in  abundance  of  the  earthly,  is  become  the  most  - 
subtle,  selfish,  and  hard,  and  filled  with  all  unrighteous- 
ness, till  he  become  incurable;  even  so  he  that  returns 
in,  and  drinks  abundantly  of  the  heavenly,  doth  become 
simple,  innocent  and  harmless,  separate  from  all  ungod- 
liness, till  he  become  incorruptible,  and  receive  power  to 
attain  the  Son  of  God,  whose  image  declares  the  father, 
from  whence  he  is;  for  he  that  hath  seen  the  son,  hath 
seen  the  father,  and  he  that  hath  the  son  hath  the  father 
also.  So  dear  friends,  behold  the  end  of  your  calling, 
and  glory  of  your  profession,  your  life  in  this  world,  and 
eternal  inheritance;  for  the  which  to  attain,  we  endure 
all  things,  for  which  sufferings,  and  patience,  we  have  a 
cloud  of  witnesses. 

So  we  follow  not  fables  and  fancies,  as  some  suppose^ 
but  every  one  as  he  is  proved  herein  is  able  to  set  to  his 
seal,  even  to  the  day  of  the  Lord,  with  them  that  are 
gone  before,  whose  spirits  herein  are  perfected. 

Wherefore  dearly  beloved  of  God,  for  his  name  sake 
I  beseech  you,  be  zealous  for  his  appearance,  and  with 
meekness  and  fear  instruct  the  ignorant,  who  oppose 
themselves ; comfort  the  weak; in  all  things  leading  with 
a  life  that  cannot  be  blamed,  knowing  how  manifold 
your  labour  of  love  is  doubled,  in  everlasting  glory,  as 
he  comes  to  be  made  manifest  to  the  world.  And  the 
Lord  God  of  power  strengthen  all  your  hands  by  the 
appearance  of  his  love;  that  by  the  shedding  of  it  a- 
broad  in  your  hearts,  you  may  be  able  to  overcome  the 
world,  and  willing  to  give  your  necks  to  the  yoke  of 
Christ,  and  to  bear  the  burthens  of  the  weak,  till  the 


(    414  ) 


brotherhood  arise,  and  the  body  of  Christ  be  pertecteii 
iTione;  that  none  of  you  suffer  an  evil  eye  or  ear,  which 
delights  to  behold  the  weakness  of  others;  but  that 
your  whole  delight  be  to  wait  for  the  appearance  of 
God  in  all,  and  to  behold  his  face  in  them,  rather  than 
their  failings.  And  as  this  arises  in  every  particular,  it 
shall  be  a  sure  token  to  you  for  good,  and  that  you  are 
passed  from  the  love  of  evil,  unto  the  love  of  God  the 
father  and  the  son.  And  what  you  delight  in  shall  be 
3/onr  inheritance.  And  as  you  grow  herein,  so  shall  he 
whom  you  love  to  see,  delight  to  make  his  appearance 
amongst  you,  and  to  walk  in  you ;  and  you  shall  not  seek 
his  face  in  vain,  but  with  his  likeness  shall  be  satisfied, 
and  shall  praise  the  beauty  of  his  appearance. 

Thus  in  honor  preferring  one  another,  you  shall  know, 
that  the  power  of  love  is  a  ministration  of  life,  to  that 
which  is  to  be  beloved* 

Who  will  be  on  the  Lord's  part?  now  is  the  day  of 
darkness,  when  iniquity  is  growing  to  the  full,  and  the 
man  child  is  to  be  born  above  it?  And  who  will  give  up 
the  vessel  to  bear  his  name  against  the  enmity  that  is 
now  arising?  and  who  will  be  glorified  with  the  lamb? 
blessed  and  happy  is  he  that  is  found  worthy  to  follow 
him  out  of  the  world,  bearing  his  reproach.  To  as  many 
as  receive  him,  he  gives  power  to  become  the  Sons  of 
God. 

But  he  that  will  bear  his  name,  must  receive  his  na- 
ture, and  himself  also  so  walk,  even  as  he  walked:  his 
name  is  power  over  sin,  and  the  world;  so  the  servants 
of  sin,  and  the  world  cannot  bear  it;  he  that  bears  his 
name,  must  bear  it  in  his  life,  and  power,  least  he  blas- 
pheme. Of  flesh  and  blood  it  is  not  born,  nor  by  the  will 
of  man  is  it  manifest,  it's  he  that's  born  again  who  hath 
his  witness  in  himself,  that  must  bear  his  name  before 
the  world  for  a  witness  against  them,  who  hath  that  life 
m  him  which  testifies  against  the  deeds  thereof ;  but  who 
bows  thereto  betrays  him,  and  proves  false  in  his  testi- 
mony. 

Moses  in  his  house,  made  all  things  in  likeness  of  the 
pattern,  so  it  became  a  tabernacle  of  witness  to  all  the 
nations  (of  the  true  God  therein)  and  against  all  their 


415  ) 


false  Gods,  and  false  worships ;  and  herein  was  he  faith- 
ful to  him  that  called  him,  and  to  all  that  beheld  the  pat- 
tern he  preached  God's  presence,  dwelling  in  the  taber- 
nacle made  with  hands.  How  m.uch  more  must  he  that 
bears  the  name  of  Christ,  follow  the  pattern,  and  suit  his 
example,  holding  forth  a  tabernacle  of  witness,  and 
preaching  the  presence  of  the  true  God  therein,  and  a- 
gainst  all  the  world,  their  false  births,  false  ways,  and 
worships,  herein  proving  faithful  to  him  that  hath  called 
thereto ;  and  to  all  that  behold  him,  holding  forth  that  ho- 
liness is  his  habitation  here  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  Heaven^ 
bearing  a  lively  testimony  thereof,  by  the  tabernacle  of 
witness,  conformable  to  the  heavenly  example  in  all 
things.  And  to  this  end  Christ  descended,  walked,  and 
Liffered  on  earth,  leaving  an  example  to  all  that  follow 
iiis  steps;  wherein,  as  in  a  lively  oracle,  God  is  found, in 
all  that's  builded  after  his  image,  and  seek  in  his  name 
and  nature,  for  the  immortality  that  dwelleth  therein. 
Now  God  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  tabernacle  of  Mo- 
lech  (though  sought  never  so  earnestly)  but  in  the  taber- 
nacle of  witness,  built  according  to  the  pattern;  neither 
is  he  now  to  be  found  in  the  image  of  the  world;  or  is 
his  name  born  in  that  nature,  though  professed  never  so 
zealously.  Therefore  let  every  one  that  nameth  the 
name  of  the  Lord  depart  from  iniquity;  the  seed  of  evil 
doers  bears  not  the  testimony  of  Christ,  but  against  him. 

Did  they  blaspheme,  who  said  they  were  Jews  and 
were  not?  how  much  more  do  they  who  profess  the  name 
of  Christ,  and  are  out  of  the  vine,  in  a  contrary  nature? 

Wherefore  all  who  aim  to  hold  forth  in  life  to  his  ap- 
pearance, and  to  attain  his  coming  in  purity  and  glory, 
must  be  diligent  in  the  heavenly  light,  ever  minding  the 
way  and  moving  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  him  that  is  from  a- 
bove,  that  his  form  you  may  see,  who  hath  the  heavenly 
image, and  the  holy  power;  that  so  beholding  him  with 
open  face  as  in  a  glass,  you  may  be  changed  into  the  same 
image,  and  formed  thereafter,  from  glory  to  glory,  by  the 
powerful  working  of  the  same  spirit;  until  the  taberna- 
cle be  built  conformable  to  the  heavenly  example,  and 
holy  pattern,  in  body  and  spirit,  that  as  he  is.  so  may  you 
be  in  this  world,  that  God  may  appear  in  his  temple ;  that 


(   416  ) 


HS  the  image  of  the  earthly  appears  in  tlie  world,  so  the 
image  of  the  heavenly  you  may  bear,  a  witness  against 
them.  And  by  drinking  in  the  communion  of  that  holy 
spirit,  and  power  from  above,  you  may  become  as  able, 
aealous,  and  willing  to  hold  forth  the  heavenly  in  holi- 
ness, meekness,  purity,  patience,  love,  long-suffering, 
faith,  and  obedience  to  God,  and  all  the  fruits  of  the  spir- 
it, as  the  sons  of  the  world  are  to  hold  forth  the  earthly, 
in  lusts  and  pleasures,  strife,  and  envy,  cruelty,  and  op- 
pression, and  all  manner  of  the  works  of  the  flesh;  that 
you  may  as  truly  and  really  give  up  your  bodies,  minds, 
and  strength  to  suffer  with  Christ,  that  he  may  be  mani- 
fest and  magnified  therein,  in  your  mortal  bodies,  as  oth- 
ers who  are  without  God  in  the  world,  do  give  themselves 
to  act  according  to  the  principles  and  power  of  the  God 
of  this  world,  his  unrighteous  ways,  worships,  and  fash- 
ions, and  all  his  cursed  courses,  and  the  whole  body  of 
sin,  and  mystery  of  iniquity  born  in  them. 

And  where  the  tabernacle  is  thus  edified,  and  the  tem- 
ple thus  cleansed,  there  is  a  vessel  of  honor,  fit  for  the 
master's  use;  that  being  filled  with  the  holy  ghost,  God 
may  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  take  up  his  rest  therein,  his 
tabernacle  being  with  men,  the  appearance  of  the  bles- 
sed day,  so  many  souls  hunger  for,  and  Abraham's  seed 
longs  to  see,  which  the  God  of  this  world  strongly  oppo- 
ses, in  all  whose  minds  he  hath  blinded,  and  whose  spirit 
he  possesseth  in  disobedience  to  the  heavenly  light,  for 
which  the  wrath  of  God  remains  upon  that  generation, 
till  this  day,  and  for  ever. 

Wherefore  all  you  who  wait  for  the  kingdom  of  God, 
and  love  his  appearance,  whose  coming  again  is  without 
sin,  abide  within,  and  wait  in  that  temple  where  the  wit- 
ness ariseth  against  the  world,  that  in  faith  and  patience 
you  may  be  counted  worthy  to  receive  that  witness,  that 
it  may  arise  and  cover  you,  and  that  in  bearing  it  you 
may  come  out  of  the  world,  being  conformable  to  him, 
who  suffered  without  the  gates;  bearing  his  reproach, 
and  you  bear  his  name.  Touch  not  the  unclean  thing, 
and  he  will  receive  you  for  himself,  in  you  to  appear  and 
be  glorified.  Rise  up  against  the  powers  of  darkness. 
You  that  have  received  the  earnest  of  this  spirit:  hath 


•  (  417  ) 

he  n6t  said,  I  will  dwell  in  you,  and  walk  in  you?  where- 
fore coaie  out  trom  among  them,  and  be  you  separate. 
This  is  the  joy  that  is  set  before  you,  to  wit,  his  appear- 
ance, and  that  glory,  for  the  attaining  whereof,  we  en- 
dure the  present  sufferings  and  reproach  ;  not  to  be  com- 
pared therewith,  for  glory,  immortality,  eternal  life. 

Oh!  friends,  who  shall  be  found  worthy  at  his  coming, 
and  in  whom  may  he  appear,  and  not  consume  them? 
for  our  God  is  a  consuming  fire;  even  in  his  holy  temple 
is  he  known,  and  with  clean  hands  will  he  take  up  his 
rest,  and  in  the  pure  heart  shall  he  be  seen;  else  who 
may  dwell  with  everlasting  burnings?  and  who  may  a- 
bide  that  baptism  wherein  every  one  shall  be  seasoned 
with  lire  at  his  coming. 


53 


What  the 


POSSESSION 

OF  THE 

LIVING  FAJTH  IS, 

The  fruits  thereof,  and  wherein  it  hath  been  found  to  differ  from  the 
dead  faith  of  the  world,  in  the  learning  and  following  of  Christ 
in  the  regeneration,  with  an  opening  of  light  to  all  sorts  of 
people  that  wait  for  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  a  candle 
lighted,  to  give  the  sight  of  the  good  old  way  of  God, 
from  the  ways  that  now  ensnare  the  simple. 


HEADS  OF  THE  PARTICULARS  CONTAINED  IN  THE  ENSUING  TREATISE 

L  What  the  possession  of  the  living  faith  is. 

II.  Who  they  be  that  are  under  the  law,  and  who  they 
be  that  have  made  void  the  law  against  themselves,  and 
who  they  be  that  are  under  grace. 

III.  Of  the  way  of  life,  from  the  knowledge  that  de- 
vours the  life. 

IV.  An  opening  of  light  to  all  sorts  of  rulers  and  peo- 
ple, that  wait  for  the  kingdom  of  God, 

V.  A  candle  lighted,  to  give  the  sight  of  the  good  old 
way  of  God,  at  his  coming,  from  the  ways  that  now  en- 
snare the  simple. 

VI.  The  living  God  glorified  in  his  temple,  the  truf 
worshippers,  that  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth 

VII.  To  the  Ranters. 

VIH.  Deceit  discovered  by  its  fruits. 


\  419  ) 


WHAT  THE   POSSESSION  OF  THE  LIVING  FAITH  IS, 
AND  THE  FRUITS  THEREOF,  &C. 

Forasmuch  as  a  right  faith  is  the  only  ground  of  man's 
eternal  happiness,  and  the  only  thing  which  gains  the 
creature  an  entrance  towards  his  creator,  and  without 
which  it  is  impossible  to  please  God  ;  though  much  hath 
been  said  of  it  already,  yet  I  having  found  by  learning 
the  true  and  living  faith,  which  hath  the  living  power, 
different  from  that  faith  which  is  dead  and  without  that 
power;  and  seeing  that  so  many  at  this  day  are  at  ease 
in  a  dead  faith,  and  their  souls  in  the  grave,  in  tender 
love  thereto  I  am  stirred  up,  to  declare  something  of  the 
faith  of  Christ,  which  I  have  found  only  effectual  to  sal- 
vation and  reconciliation  with  God.    And  somewhat  the 
rather  in  regard  the  enemy  hath  spread  so  many  false 
reports  of  me,  touching  ray  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  which 
here  I  shall  declare  in  plainness,  for  the  satisfying  of 
simple  miuds,  who  desire  to  know  truth  rather  than  to 
reproach  it;  and  for  those  who  seek  occasion,  I  chose 
rather  to  bear  their  reproach  who  are  in  that  nature, 
than  contend  therewith:  for  ray  work  is  not  with  flesh 
and  blood,  nor  is  it  in  my  spirit  to  strive  with  any  about 
words,  that  stir  up  strivings  and  contention,  and  edify  not, 
but  with  God  I  strive  daily,  and  to  that  of  God  in  all  I 
seek  to  be  manifest,  which  resists  not  evil,  but  seek  to 
overcome  it  with  good,  waiting  for  the  kingdom  of  God 
in  all,  and  the  soul  redemption  out  of  death,  and  the  seed 
out  of  bondage,  and  where  that  is  not  effected  in  meas- 
ure, I  look  not  to  be  owned,  nor  my  witness  received, 
though  it  be  not  of  myself,  but  of  Christ  Jesus  in  me. 

And  first  a  faith,  or  belief  I  have  found  in  the  world,  of 
which  I  shall  say  little  in  this  place,  having  found  indeed 
little  in  it  to  the  salvation  of  life.  It's  a  literal  faith, 
grounded  only  upon  the  history  of  the  scripture  touching 
God  and  Christ,  and  what  Christ  did  in  that  temple  which 
the  Jews  destroyed  at  Jerusalem,  &c.  But  do  not  know 
him  in  spirit,  nor  believe  him  as  his  name  is  Immanuel  to 
to  all  generations,  and  so  doth  not  necessarily  work  the 


(   420  ) 


believer  into  a  conformity  to  hi  in  in  his  then  walking,  by 
his  coming  again  in  the  same  spirit  and  power,  working 
in  them  the  same  will,  min^  and  affections,  and  ohedi- 
ence  to  the  father  in  their  measure  which  were  in  him 
t  example,  author,  worker  and  finisher  of  the  true  and 
living  faith. 

And  of  this  faith  (being  somewhat  dressed  by  tiie 
several  opinions  of  men)  are  all  the  unclean  spirits,  liv- 
ing in  whatsoever  abomination  is  to  be  mentioned  in  the 
world,  all  sects  and  opinions,  or  whatsoever  may  be 
found  in  all  colours  in  these  northern  parts  of  the  world, 
with  this  faith  they  are  covered,  and  this  is  their  strength, 
and  here  they  take  comfort  to  themselves,  against  all 
reproof  within  or  from  without,  though  living  openly  in 
the  greatest  whoredoms  against  the  spirit  of  holiness, 
either  carnal  or  spiritual,  that  can  be  mentioned,  even  at 
a  distance  from  Christ  in  his  whole  life ; yet  they  believe 
Christ  came  to  save  sinners,  of  which  they  are  chief; 
and  they  that  are  whole  need  not  the  physician,  &c. — 
As  if  the  greater  their  wickedness  is,  the  nearer  to 
Christ  they  believe.  And  by  this  faith,  he  that  came  to 
save  people  from  sin,  and  to  lead  out  of  sin,  both  by  ex- 
ample and  spirit,  is  made  a  cover  for  all  filthiness  of 
flesh  and  spirit,  and  to  strengthen  the  heart  of  wicked- 
ness against  the  life  of  holiness,some  in  one  sin,  some  in 
another;  but  with  this  faith  do  all  sorts  strengthen  them- 
selves, and  harden  their  hearts  against  the  light  of 
Christ,  and  that  spirit  which  reproves  the  world  of  sin, 
and  convinceth  of  it,  and  would  lead  out  of  it.  And  > 
hence  it  is  that  the  witness  of  God,  which  is  holy  in  all, 
is  trampled  under  foot  in  all,  and  little  regarded  in  any, 
but  by  this  faith  believed  on  in  none  to  be  the  way  to  the 
father,  though  the  world  have  no  light  but  it,  nor  is  there 
a  promise  of  life  in  any  other.  And  this  to  me  appears 
to  be  that  faith  of  the  devil,  or  dead  faith  the  apostle 
speaks  on,  Jam.  ii.  though  more  hardened  in  it  against 
God's  fear,  for  the  devils  when  they  believe  tremble 
at  it.  So  this  faith  I  leave,  being  judged  already  by 
its  fruits,  with  the  light  of  Christ  in  every  honest  heart 
thvit  loves  holiness. 


( 

And  of  that  faith  I  shall  speak  something,  in  which  I 
have  found  a  measure  of  the  life  of  Christ  made  mani- 
fest in  my  mortal  body,  in  which  life  alone  is  the  true 
and  eternal  union  and  atonement  with  the  holy  God, 
into  whom  no  unclean  thing  can  enter.    And  this  is  not 
a  notion  of  what  was  done  in  another  generation,  past 
or  to  come,  hundreds  or  thousands  of  years  distance, 
•j  but  that  which  leads  to  the  beginning  of  the  work  of  a 
1  new  creature  at  this  day,  and  a  new  birth  spiritually  be- 
ll gotten,  and  born  and  brought  to  light,  without  which 
I  none  can  see  the  kingdom  of  God,  nor  enter  therein. — 
[i  And  this  faith  doth  not  work  by  the  comprehensions  of 
li  brain-knowledge^  that  because  I  could  here  conceive  or 
I   declare  of  Christ  Jesus,  from  the  beginning  to  this  age, 
in  words  or  thought,  that  therefore  1  have  learned  him,  or 
I  know  him  as  I  ought  to  do,  or  am  grown  up  in  him  to  a 
jr  perfect  man;  and  so  to  deceive  others  by  declaring  and 
'  boasting  of  what  God  hath  not  wrought  in  me,  as  a  man 
may  easily  do,  and  deceive  his  own  soul,  and  bewitch 
others  also,  by  leading  them  out  of  their  measures  of 
God's  present  work  in  them:  but  of  the  living  faith, 
which  now  worketh  powerfully  in  spirit  by  love  thereto, 
I  the  mystery  whereof  is  holden  forth  in  a  pure  conscience, 
working  out  the  old  leaven,  purifying  the  heart,  and  ma- 
king all  things  new,  judging,  and  killing,  and  crucifying 

I with  Christ  in  spirit  the  works  of  the  flesh,  and  casting 
out  every  thing  in  me  that  is  not  of  God,  and  renewing 
in  me  the  things  of  God  in  their  order,  b}  his  mighty 
working  in  me,  in  which  the  soul  is  raised  out  of  the 
grave,  and  the  dead  restored  to  life,  actually  and  not  in 
conceit.  Of  the  grounds  and  workings  of  this  living 
faith  I  shall  speak  something. 

And  though  the  foundation  of  this  faith  or  beginning 
of  it  was,  that  I  did  really  believe,  in  that  which  Christ 
did  and  suffered  at  Jerusalem,  and  that  there  in  that 
I    body  he  bore  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  satisfied  the 
wrath  of  God  for  sins  past,  and  overcame  death,  hell 
and  ihe  grave,  and  made  way  for  the  seed  to  arise  in  all, 
j    through  the  whole  world,  who  would  believe  in  his  light, 
I    which  then  shined  through  him  to  all  men,  wherein  he 
might  be  seen  to  be  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life  ap- 


^422  ; 

parent,  openly  triumphing  *over  all  that  had  passed  a- 
bove  the  seed.  And  much  more  might  be  said  of  him 
there  finished,  all  which  I  did  believe  according  to 
scripture,  which  was  as  an  opening  of  me  to  receive 
him  from  Heaven  in  the  same  spirit  and  power;  without 
which  I  could  not  have  received  the  gift  of  the  holy 
spirit,  God  having  so  purposed  from  the  beginning,  that 
the  covenant  of  eternal  life  and  power  should  be  re- 
ceived no  other  way  but  by  faith  in  him,  who  in  the  ful- 
ness of  time  was  there  manifest  in  flesh,  for  the  taking 
aw^ay  sins  past,  and  making  a  way  for  the  resurrection 
of  life  over  all,  to  save  from  sins  for  time  to  come. 

The  effect  of  which  faith,  when  in  the  light  I  first  re- 
ceived it,  did  turn  my  mind  out  of  all  my  sins  past,  and 
took  my  mind  out  of  them,  and  turned  me  towards  God. 
and  holiness  of  life  I  then  believed  to  attain  in  that  faith, 
and  receive  power  therein,  to  grow  up  in  him  to  the 
measure  of  the  stature  and  fulness,  which  then  I  saw  no 
less  faith  could  save  me,  than  the  perfect  faith  of  the 
son  of  God,  which  before  I  had  not  received,  but  then 
received  with  such  gladness  of  heart,  that  it  set  my 
face  and  delights  of  all  sin,  towards  the  perfection  in 
Christ,  in  which  I  then  believed,  which  was  the  joy  then 
set  before  me;  yet  was  not  the  work  done  and  finished 
in  me  already,  though  (I  having  received  the  faith  and 
hope  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  was  turned  from  all  my 
former  sin,  and  my  own  righteousness;  so  that)  if  I  had 
departed  this  body,  I  had  died  in  no  less  faith  than  the 
holy  faith  of  Christ  Jesus.  And  so  being  turned  to  his 
spirit,  out  of  the  works  of  the  flesh,  I  was  turned  from 
my  sin,  and  so  from  condemnation ;  yet  was  there  a  great 
work  to  do  in  me,  before  I  could  witness  freedom  from 
the  body  of  death,  and  the  root  and  ground  of  evil  re- 
moved, and  the  seed  raised  to  reign,  and  the  soul  brought 
into  the  holy  city,  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  fel- 
lowship in  the  Father  and  the  Son,  &;c.  and  glorious  lib- 
erty of  the  new  creature,  and  all  things  to  be  of  God 
in  me,  as  the  scriptures  do  witness:  so  this  faith  did 
not  work  me  into  a  conceit  of  myself,  glorifying  in 
knowledge,  and  so  to  become  a  teacher  of  others,  what 
I  had  conceived  below  the  life,  but  it  led  me  down,  into 


(   423  ) 


the  obedience  of  the  spirit  of  light,  to  wait  therein  ior 
the  resurrection  of  life.    And  I  came  to  see  in  that 
light,  that  the  motions  of  sin  did  still  work  from  the  old 
ground  and  root,  and  that  must  be  removed  by  the  power 
of  Christ,  working  in  spirit,  and   my  obedience  and 
watchfulness  therein  was  required;  and  that  without 
obedience  to  this  faith  I  could  not  come  to  perfect  victo- 
ry over  the  enmity,  nor  to  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
sons  of  God:  for  though  this  faith  had  turned  my  heart 
)  to  vards  Christ,  and  given  me  hope  to  attain  him,  yet  I 
i   had  not  then  learned  him,  nor  was  he  yet  formed  in  me. 
I  So  was  I  led  in  the  light  of  Christ,  to  see  what  I  had  of 
(   this  treasure  in  the  earthen  vessel,  which  I  found  to  be 
in  me  very  little,  and  that  seed  the  least  of  all  seeds; 
so  1  became  little  in  my  own  eye,  and  that  which  told  me 
the  truth,  though  I  had  been  high  in  my  own  thoughts 
•  formerly. 

And  so  to  the  word  of  the  beginning,  or  the  first  prin- 
ciple of  the  doctrine  of  Christ  I  was  led,  that  with  that 
i  which  teacheth  Christ,  1  might  learn  Christ  in  every 
j  measure  of  him,  as  I  grew  therein:  So  was  I  brought  to 
know  him  that  was  made  under  the  law,  and  to  the 
foundation  of  repentance  from  dead  works,  and  to  the 
doctrines  of  baptisms,  and  to  eternal  judgment.  Then 
came  I  in  truth  and  life  to  see  what  they  were  doing, 
whom  the  apostle  exhorted  to  work  out  their  own  salva- 
tion with  fear  and  trembling,  after  they  had  fully  be- 
lieved what  Christ  had  done  for  them  at  Jerusalem  in 
that  body,  and  many  other  scriptures  did  he  open  to  me» 
as  I  learned  him,  which  before  to  me  was  a  mystery, 
while  1  learned  them  in  meanings  without  the  life  of 
Christ,  which  then  were  opened  by  the  revelation  of 
Christ  Jesus,  as  they  came  to  be  fulfilled  in  me,  being 
led  by  the  same  spirit  in  that  work  of  faith.  Then  came 
I  to  see,  that  I  through  the  law  must  be  redeemed  from 
the  law,  and  that  my  redemption  from  it  must  not  be  by 
making  it  void,  but  by  fulfilling  of  it ;  and  till  then  it 
had  power  over  me,  and  sin  took  occasion  by  it  ta 
strengthen  itself  in  me;  but  as  I  came  to  grow  in  the 
spirit  and  power  of  Christ,  I  was  in  him  brought  through 
it,  it  in  him  fulfilled,  and  I  dead  to  it  as  it  came  to  be 


0 


(  424  ) 


iulrilled;  and  the  words  of  Christ  I  found  true,  I  cainc 
not  to  destroy  the  law,  but  to  fulfil  it ;  and  it  is  easier  for 
heaven  and  earth  to  pass  away  than  one  jot  of  the  law  to 
pass  away  till  it  be  fulfilled;  and  I  needed  not  a  mean- 
ing to  that  scripture,  but  a  fulfilling  thereof  in  Christ 
Jesus:  and  the  school-master  that  brings  to  Christ  I 
learned,  and  Christ  formed,  and  the  heir  under  tutors, 
before  I  knew  the  liberty  of  the  son  of  God  or  perfect 
freedom;  and  then  I  saw  the  scripture  could  not  be  bro- 
V  ken  nor  wrested;  but  it  must  be  learned  in  the  life  of  it 
to  salvation,  which  the  unlearned  wrest  to  their  own 
destruction,  by  meanings  without  life,  and  that  it  was  of 
no  private  interpretation ;  but  this  one  spirit  must  open 
it  all  in  the  fulfilling  thereof,  and  this  faith  in  Christ  Jesus 
only  was  able  to  make  wise  unto  salvation  of  eternal  life. 

And  then  came  I  clearly  to  see  ('hrist  Jesus  set  before 
me  in  all  things  that  I  was  to  go  through,  in  that  faith 
which  I  had  first  received,  and  that  the  attaining  of  him 
was  the  hope  of  glory,  and  no  hope  without  him:  and 
this  hope  was  an  anchor  in  all  hardships  and  tempta- 
tions, which  were  not  a  few  I  was  led  through ;  but  all 
were  counted  little  while  I  stood  in  this  faith,  for  the 
hope  that  was  in  me  to  win  Christ.  And  I  clearly  saw, 
that  notwithstanding  my  first  faith,  in  what  he  had  done 
at  Jerusalem;  yet  if  I  did  not  continue  therein,  to  follow 
the  same  spirit  in  obedience  thereto,  believing  therein, 
m  all  its  leadings,  hoping  to  attain  to  Christ  Jesus  the 
€nd  of  that  faith,  in  daily  growing  towards  his  stature 
'  and  fulness,  but  had  turned  aside,  or  sate  down  short  of 
the  leadings  of  that  spirit  in  the  way,  I  had  made  void 
my  hope  of  glory,  the  work  of  my  redemption,  and  that 
which  Christ  did  at  Jerusalem  [as  to  me]  and  had  denied 
my  first  faith,  and  could  not  have  been  saved  from 
wrath  to  come.  That  being  the  end  of  ihat  faith  com- 
mitted to  me,  that  therein  I  might  faithfully,  without 
doubting,  follow  him  in  spirit  through  all  trials  and 
^  temptations,  of  which  way  he  was  a  perfect  example  in 

his  walking  in  the  flesh  at  Jerusalem,  that  through  the 
scriptures  I  might  have  hope,  seeing  he  went  the  same 
way  before  me  there,  in  which  he  now  leads, and  that 
therein  I  might  see  him  to  be  the  same  to  ail  generations, 


(  425  ) 


fks  he  was  there,  and  in  his  saints  that  followed  hinio 
And  as  they  exhorted  one  another  to  look  unto  him  in 
their  travel,  wiio  was  the  author  and  finisher  of  their 
faith,  and  to  consider  him  as  an  example,  who  endured 
such  contradictions  of  sinners  against  himself,  lest  they 
should  be  weary  of  suffering,  and  faint  in  their  minds, 
and  so  their  faith  and  hope  was  strengthened.  So  also 
I  looking  to  the  same  in  him.  and  also  in  them  after  him, 
my  faith  and  patience  might  be  doubled,  and  my  obe- 
dience made  without  doubting,  and  my  hope  firm  unto 
the  end,  which  end  was  the  winning  Christ  in  me  the 
hope  of  glory,  the  great  mystery  of  faith,  which  is  hid 
from  all  till  the  revelation  of  Christ  Jesus.  And  so  when 
the  saints  and  apostles  had  Christ  revealed  in  them, 
they  were  able  ministers  of  him,  and  had  the  mystery 
opened,  and  preached  it  without  doubt,  that  mystery 
of  godliness  which  was  great,  yet  hid  from  the  world, 
but  to  them  without  all  controversy,  God  manifest  in 
flesh,  not  God  flesh,  but  manifest  in  flesh;  which  myste- 
ry of  faith  they  held  in  a  pure  conscience.  And  so  I 
knew  my  faith  to  be  the  same  faith  once  delivered  to 
the  saints,  and  the  good  fight  of  that  faith  I  came  to 
know;  and  that  faith  which  overcomes  the  world,  which 
hath  the  promise  and  inheritance  of  eternal  life,  which 
all  that  go  back  from  deny  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  set 
lip  a  faith  without  Christ,  which  is  not  the  faith  of 
Ohrist:  and  so  in  the  learning  of  Christ,!  came  to  see 
the  faith  of  Christ  from  faith  to  faith,  and  also  the  faith 
of  devils;  the  living  working  faith,  and  the  dead  faith 
without  works:  and  I  find,  that  it  is  not  the  faith  of 
Christ,  to  believe  that  men  could  never  be  perfect,  nor 
overcome  the  devil  or  sin;  it  was  never  the  faith  of 
Christ,  to  make  void  the  law  of  his  Father  unfulfilled  in 
him;  it  was  never  his  faith  to  revenge  evil,  but  to  over- 
come it  with  good;  it  was  never  his  faith  to  respect 
persons,  or  that  we  could  commit  sin,  and  not  he  ser- 
vants of  sin;  it  was  never  his  faith  to  sue, contend,  fight, 
or  persecute  any;  to  judge  for  rewards, or  preach  for 
hire,  or  any  way  to  serve  the  mammon  of  this  world,  it 
was  not  his  faith  to  observe  his  own  will,  his  own  times, 
the  world's  customs,  but  to  observe  his  Father  in  all 

54 


(   426  ) 

things,  and  only  what  he  received  from  him  that  he  dw 
and  could  do  nothing  of  himself,  he  never  owned  them 
to  be  children  of  God,  who  said  and  did  not. 

And  many  such  like  things  as  these  were  never  by  him 
believed,  but  is  the  world's  faith  to  uphold  them  in  sin 
and  lusts,  who  are  enemies  to  the  faith  of  Christ  which 
presents  perfect  to  God  by  working  out  such  evils;  all 
which  I  came  to  see,  not  by  man,  but  in  the  revelation 
of  Christ  as  in  his  faith  I  learned  him,  growing  into  his 
faith,  into  him  and  his  life  therein  made  manifest  in  niy 
body;  so  I  see  what  is  his  in  truth,  as  the  truth  is  in  Je- 
sus, and  what  is  the  world's,  and  but  called  his  to  op- 
pose him ;  and  I  see  that  which  loves  the  things  of  this 
world  to  be  none  of  his  love,  nor  that  his  joy  that  takes 
pleasure  in  carnal  things,  nor  that  his  liberty  which  is  in 
the  works  of  the  flesh,  nor  that  his  peace  that  is  in  sin, 
nor  that  his  patience  that  seeks  its  own  revenge,  nor  that 
his  glory  that's  in  pride,  nor  that  his  worship  which  stands 
in  carnal  things,  nor  that  his  honor  that's  sought  of  men, 
nor  that  his  knowledge  that's  after  the  flesh,  nor  that  his 
fear  that  is  taught  by  the  precepts  of  men,  these  are  in 
the  world,  and  not  in  him,  but  have  only  got  the  name  to 
be  his,  but  are  enemies  to  his  life,  and  were  never  begat 
of  his  father,  nor  learned  in  the  son ;  all  which  and  much 
like  stuff  I  came  to  see  the  deceit  of,  by  that  truth  and 
simplicity  I  found  in  Christ,  contrary  to  the  will  of  man. 

And  so  in  the  life  of  Christ  I  have  learned  to  know 
the  growth  of  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  the  riches  of  it. 
and  the  end  of  it,  which  is  Christ  Jesus  in  all  its  work- 
ings; and  I  also  knew  the  world's  faith,  its  uncleanness, 
whose  end  is  not  to  attain  the  holiness  of  Christ  in  life, 
but  would  live  in  the  world's  delights,  and  have  Christ 
for  a  cover,  and  be  saved  by  the  righteousness  of  ano- 
ther, which  they  have  no  mind  to  walk  in  themselves; 
and  so  that  faith  works  not  by  love,  which  loves  not  the 
life  of  Christ,  but  are  enemies  to  his  cross,  minding  earth- 
ly things,  and  this  is  the  earthly  faith;  but  the  living 
faith  works  by  love  to  holiness  of  life,  and  therefore  pu- 
rifies the  heart,  and  the  mystery  of  it  stands  in  a  pure 
conscience  within  themselves  that  have  it,  and  not  in 
telling  and  comprehending  what  was  in  another,  for  the 


(  427  ) 


devils  believe  the  holiness  that  was  in  Christ,  and  cao 
preach  it,  but  cannot  inherit  it,  because  tHey  love  not 
to  live  the  life  of  it,  and  by  this  I  know  them  both  for 
ever,  and  all  that  prove  them  in  the  life  of  Christ  shall 
witness  with  me ;  the  end  of  the  one  is  the  life  of  Christ, 
in  which  himself  wrtlked,  and  the  same  obedience  of 
the  same  spirit  to  the  same  father  by  the  same  power, 
according  to  the  proportion  of  faith  received  from  God, 
which  faith  is  from  above,  and  so  lays  hold  on  heavenly 
things  for  its  strength,  and  so  brings  forth  heavenly  fruits  :• 
the  other  professeth  and  promises  great  things,  but  ends 
in  the  world  and  minds  earthly  things,  and  doth  not  pu- 
rify the  heart,  nor  believes  ever  to  attain  the  life  of  Christ, 
his  stature  or  fulness,  but  counts  it  an  error  in  such  as 
press  after  such  attainments,  and  so  the  end  of  the  con- 
versation of  one  is  Christ  Jesus  to  hold  forth  in  life  and 
power,  the  same  yesterday,  and  to-day  and  for  ever ;  the 
end  of  the  other  is  a  liberty  to  sin  here  while  they  can 
take  any  pleasure  in  it,  and  sanctiiication  and  salvation 
when  they  are  dead.  And  according  to  the  end  of  each 
faith  so  it  works,  for  it's  impossible  for  him  that  cannot 
beli<fve  holiness,  to  work  holiness ;  but  according  to  each 
man's  faith  so  must  he  inherit  in  this  world,  and  that 
'^'hich  is  to  come. 

And  in  the  workings  and  attainments  of  this  living 
powerful  faith  I  have  found  several  measures  according 
to  ray  growth  therein,  from  the  word  of  the  beginning  of 
Christ,  or  the  first  principle  of  Christ,  and  the  fulness, 
and  stature  of  Christ,  as  betwixt  a  babe  and  a  man 
grown  in  strength,  and  much  working  in  spirit  I  found 
betwixt  faith  received  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  Christ  learn- 
ed in  me;^  for  though  I  received  the  faith  of  his  fulness 
in  what  he  was  at  Jerusalem,  in  his  flesh  there  at  once, 
yet  had  not  I  so  learned  him  in  spirit  and  life  in  my  mor- 
tal flesh,  nor  put  him  on  at  once,  but  in  the  light  of  faith 
I  saw  I  was  so  to  run  as  to  win  him  before  I  could  put 
him  on,  wherein  I  came  to  see  and  know  myself  begot- 
ten again  in  him  by  faith  towards  God,  who  is  the  way 
to  God,  in  which  way  I  came  to  see  the  begotten  of  the 
father  manifest  in  measure  in  me  in  the  pure  image  of  a 
holy  chrtd,  separate  from  the  fleshlv  sinful  seed,  or 

aHeb.6,1. 


(  42B  J 


Christ  formed  in  me  as  the  scriptures  witness ;  and  whew 
1  did  behold  his  pure  image  and  his  pure  mind  and  na- 
ture s*o  far  contrary  to  my  own,  yet  then  was  not  he  in 
his  kingdom, nor  all  fhings  put  under  his  feet;  nor  could 
I  gay  that  Jesus  was  then  Lord  in  me,  but  by  the  spirit's 
working  by  this  faith  I  had  received,  and  in  hope  thereof, 
was  I  made  to  endure  the  loss  of  all  things,  and  to  deny 
all  things  that  ever  this  holy  spirit  did  war  against  in 
me,  which  might  any  way  oppress  this  hoi)  plant,  or 
Jiinderits  growth,  owning  hisjudgment  in  the  light, upon 
whatever  was  in  my  heart  or  aftVctions  but  him  alone, 
though  never  so  much  gain  in  my  account  in  the  world- 
which  judgment  being  owned  and  consented  to  agains- 
myself,  and  all  my  self-lovers,  therein  was  I  parted  from 
them  in  judgment,  and  so  then  were  they  subdued  by  the 
powerful  workings  of  that  spirit,  and  put  under  his  feet, 
and  I  set  free  from  them,  to  arise  with  him  above  them, 
being  brought  from  under  them ;  and  this  was  not  done 
all  at  once,  but  in  order^as  he  appeared  in  the  light  to 
manifest  every  particular  evil:  and  as  that  faith  I  had 
received  wrought  by  love  to  him,  a  consent  in  my  spirit 
to  his  just  judgment  upon  them,  and  I  made  wilhng  to 
give  tliem  up  to  the  fire,  and  to  come  out  of  them,  and 
join  to  him  in  the  execution,  lest  he  should  consume  me 
with  them,  as  it  must  have  been  had  I  stayed  in  them; 
and  here  1  found  the  benefit  of  the  light  which  goes  be- 
fore his  face  to  prepare  his  w^ay,  and  the  salvation  of 
faith  which  saved  me  through  hope  of  him,  that  I  was 
not  destroyed  in  my  sins;  which  faith  and  hope  gave 
me  an  entrance  within  the  vkil,or  a  hiding  place  in  him 
while  the  indignation  was  over,  which  was  to  pass  upon 
the  man  of  sin. 

And  so  a  voice  was  heard  in  the  wilderness  calling  out 
of  sin,  into  a  way  I  knew  not,  but  as  the  light  of  his  cov- 
enant led  me  in  the  spirit,  turning  my  heart  towards  him, 
that  he  might  not  smite  the  earth  with  a  curse  at  his 
coming;  in  which  way  e're  I  came  into  the  kingdon  of 
Christ,  my  pure  rest,  I  met  with  many  hardships  and 
great  travails,  and  many  temptations  and  trials  within 
and  without,  but  the  greatest  enemies  were  yet  within 
me,  which  would  upon  every  hardship  be  tempting  with 


(   429  ) 


linbelief  to  destroy  this  faith  and  hoj)e,  which  was  all 
that  I  had  set  before  mc  to  encourage  me  to  endure  such 
hardships,  and  to  follow  the  light  in  a  way  I  had  not 
known,  and  to  walk  in  the  clouds  lo  meet  the  Lord,  and 
to  leave  my  former  knowledge  and  wisdom,  and  glory 
and  riches,  to  go  in  a  way  I  had  not  walked,  and  to  a- 
bide  such  assaults  on  every  hand;  every  foot  the  world 
which  I  was  called  out  of  ready  to  overtake  me  and 
compass  me  about,  and  to  turn  me  back  again  into  what 
[  had  seen  and  enjoyed,  behind  me,  ever  seeking  to  per- 
suade me  that  I  should  never  attain  to  him  that  was  set 
efore  me  in  the  faith  and  hope;  then  came  I  clearly  to 
see,  that  though  I  had  received  the  faith  of  Christ  as  a 
•hield  in  this  war,  by  which  I  was  saved  that  the  wrath 
jf  God  took  me  not  away  in  these  temptings,  and  mur- 
niurings,  and  reasonings  and  doublings  which  did  arise 
]n  the  fleshly  part,  yet  was  not  I  at  present  brought  to 
enjoy  the  purchased  possession,  though  I  had  heard  and 
believed  the  gospel  of  salvation,  and  was  sealed  with 
the  holy  spirit  of  promise.till  1  came  to  be  built  up  with 
Christ  for  an  habitation  of  God  through  the  spirit. 

And  I  found  by  daily  experience  that  my  salvation 
was  not  complete  so  long  as  my  soul  was  subjected  un- 
der any  earthly  lust  or  passion,'  nor  the  war  over,  but  as 
by  the  mighty  working  of  God  in  me  by  that  spirit  these 
came  to  be  subdued  under  the  feet  of  (  hrist,  and  tlie 
soul  set  above  it  with  him  to  reign  in  the  heavenly 
place ;  so  was  my  salvation  nearer  than  when  I  believed, 
for  the  soul  is  not  safe  while  sin  lives,  or  the  flesh  lusts, 
for  that  wars  against  the  soul,  and  every  sin  wounds  it, 
and  this  shall  all  know  who  are  not  past  feeling,  what- 
ever their  faith  be  touching  Christ  Jesus,  or  what  was 
wrought  in  another,  whilst  sin  defiles  the  soul  it  is  not 
safe,  nor  the  honest  heart  hath  peace  and  rest,  for  the 
rest  and  peace  is  placed  in  the  holy  city  where  comes 
no  unclean  thing,  into  which  the  soul  enters  not  till  that 
all  righteousness  be  fulfilled  upon  earth,  and  the  soul 
singled  from  all  corruption,  and  have  put  on  immortali- 
ty, and  death  swallowed  up  in  victory,  when  the  sting  is 
taken  away,  which  is  sin,  and  the  strength  of  sin,  which 
is  the  law,  which  is  not  taken  away  but  where  it  is  ful- 


(  430  } 

filled,  there  only  grace  reigns  through  righteousness ;  and 
this  I  found  to  be  truth,  as  the  truth  is  found  in  Jesus,  as 
I  came  to  learn  him  and  put  him  on  by  faith  which  I  had 
believed  ;  and  I  saw  the  folly  of  such  as  would  make  void 
the  law  by  talking  of  faith  and  grace,  where  sin  is  yet 
standing,  and  the  soul  taken  captive  therewith,  which  I 
had  often  sought  peace  therein  to  myself,  but  could  not 
inherit  liberty  to  my  soul  any  other  way,  but  as  it  came 
to  be  purified  in  obedience  through  the  spirit. 

And  this  work  was  not  wrought  in  me  by  the  knowl- 
edge of  Christ  after  the  flesh,  but  as  I  came  to  learn  him 
in  spirit,  for  spiritual  wickedness  had  taken  my  soul  cap- 
tive, and  by  spirit  it  must  be  sanctified  and  set  free.  And 
I  came  to  see  that  if  I  had  been  in  his  company  here  on 
j  earth  as  long  as  his  disciples  were  in  the  flesh,  and  seen 
j  as  much  as  they  did,  and  heard  from  his  own  mouth,  I 
I  should  have  been  short  of  this  work  as  they  were,  in 
i  whom  the  child  was  unborn  when  he  went  away  in  the 
;  flesh,  and  they  knew  not  what  spirits  they  were  of,  until 
he  came  again  to  them  in  spirit  and  was  revealed  in  them, 
then  could  they  preach  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  and 
the  soul's  redemption,  and  desired  to  know  him  no  more 
[  after  the  flesh,  when  once  they  had  received  him  in  spir- 
j  it,  but  preached  Christ  within  the  hope  of  glory,  who  till 
■  then  looked  for  an  outward  kingdom  and  glory,  until  they 
had  received  his  promise:    He  that  dwelleth  with  you 
shall  be  in  you,  I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless,  I  will 
come  unto  you ;  the  world  seeth  me  no  more,  but  ye  see 
me,  and  because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also;  at  that  day  ye 
shall  know  that  I  am  in  my  father,  and  you  in  me,  and  I 
in  you:  and  this  was  his  promise,  which  they  received, 
whom  the  world  seeth  no  more,  whose  expectations  are 
carnal,  neither  can  any  see  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  bat 
who  are  born  of  the  spirit,  and  heirs  of  this  life,  and  he 
that  hath  the  Son  hath  life,  and  he  that  hath  not  the  Son 
hath  not  life,  but  the  wrath  of  God  abides  upon  him, 
whatever  he  may  say  he  believes;  and  none  hath  the 
Son  but  as  they  receive  this  spirit,  and  are  led  by  this 
spirit,  and  born  thereof. 

And  this  I  found  also,  that  the  Son  of  God  doth  not 
appear  in  (works  of  righteousness,)  but  as  he  conforms 


(  431  ) 


iheiii  to  his  own  image,  which  he  hath  always  borne  in 
this  world,  as  saith  the  scripture,  when  he  shall  appear 
we  shall  be  like  him,  who  shall  change  our  vile  bodies 
and  make  thenilike  his  glorious  body,  from  glory  to  glory 
by  the  same  spirit;  and  herein  we  have  boldness  in  the 
day  of  judgment,  because  as  he  is  so  are  we  in  this  pres- 
ent world ;  and  this  is  not  obtained  with  thoughts  of  be- 
lieving without,  but  by  a  lively  working  of  his  power, 
which  works  out  the  earthly  image  and  nature,  and  con- 
forms man  to  the  heavenly  in  that  spiritual  birth  which  is 
not  of  flesh  and  blood,  nor  could  flesh  and  blood  ever 
discern  it  in  whom  it  was,  but  ever  hated  it  in  whom  it 
hath  appeared  in  all  ages;  which  is  of  a  shining  nature 
where  it  is  begotten  of  the  father,  and  cannot  be  hid 
where  it  is  formed,  but  by  his  fruits  gives  light  to  the 
world  contrary  to  the  world's  ways,  shewing  of  his  com- 
ing to  judgment  against  the  deeds  of  darkness:  and  this 
heavenly  begetting  of  the  father  is  to  be  holden  forth  in 
that  clear  image  of  the  father,  according  to  every  seve- 
ral measure  as  he  grows  therein  without  mixture,  that 
all  may  see  that  he  is  not  of  this  world,  who  also  takes 
them  out  of  this  world  as  he  grows  in  any,  or  they  in  him, 
forth  of  the  world  they  must  go  bearing  his  reproach,  that 
the  scriptures  may  be  fulfilled,  they  are  not  of  this  world, 
even  as  I  am  not  of  this  world,  and  this  is  the  vvorld*s 
light  and  condemnation,  even  his  coming. 

And  so  I  find  that  faith  which  joins  to  the  world  where 
it  is,  and  doth  not  overcome  the  world,  is  not  the  faith 
of  Christ,  nor  lays  hold  on  the  power  of  Christ,  though 
i-r  faith  may  believe  the  history  of  the  scriptures  concerning 
Christ,  which  faith  alone  sets  not  up  the  kingdom  of  God 
in  the  heart,  nor  casts  out  the  world  there ;  nor  saves  the 
soul  from  the  pollution  of  the  world  through  lust,  and  so 
is  but  a  notion  of  salvation,  and  not  the  power  of  salva- 
tion, as  saith  the  scriptures;  whosoever  is  born  of  God 
overcometh  the  world,  and  this  is  the  victory  that  over- 
cometh  the  world,  even  your  faith;  and  the  faith  which 
works  not  thus,  is  like  a  body  without  a  spirit,  which  is 
dead;  but  the  living  faith  that  stands  in  Christ  Jesus, 
that  spirit  purifies  the  heart  and  conscience,  and  makes 
toward  God  in  Christ  the  example  of  all  good  thine?. 


^    432  ) 


overcoming  whatever  veould  let  the  appearance  of  Christ 
in  his  temple,  or  hinder  the  bringing  forth  his  virtues, 
which  are  believed  to  be  in  him,  to  the  utmost  of  what- 
ever he  hath  received  of  the  father  for  such  believers, 
who  believe  not  in  a  lie,  but  in  the  truth  and  power  of 
God  as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  hath  been  declared  in 
scripture,  not  for  a  discourse,  but  for  an  inheritance  of 
life,  of  whose  fullness  we  all  receive  according  to  our 
faith,  till  his  coming,  and  we  be  complete  in  him,  and  he 
in  us ;  and  so  not  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God,  the  end 
of  our  faith  and  conversation,  that  to  the  world  he  may 
be  manifest  in  life  and  power  to  be  the  same  that  ever  he 
hath  been,  though  he  hath  appeared  in  several  forms,  yet 
one  in  spirit  to  make  up  a  complete  body. 

And  therefore  we  find  those  who  were  of  this  faith 
witnessed  Christ  present  (which  the  world's  faith  could 
never  receive  under  any  form  or  profession,  but  counted 
it  blasphemy,  and  that  spirit  the  spirit  of  the  devil  )  And 
so  Isaiah  witnessed  this  child  born  to  them  that  so  be- 
lieved in  his  time,  who  was  the  mighty  God,  the  everlas- 
ting father,  frc,  whose  name  they  knew  to  be  Immanuel, 
and  this  was  before  he  appeared  in  that  temple  at  Jeru- 
saiem,  and  Ezekiel  was  called  the  son  of  man  before  that 
time  also;  and  Paul  said  he  was  revealed  in  him,  and  , 
spoke  in  him,  and  wrought  in  him,  and  in  his  flesh;  that 
which  was  behind  of  the  afflictions  of  Christ  was  to  be 
filled  up  for  his  body's  sake  which  is  the  church:  and  to 
whom  he  forgave  any  thing  in  his  time,  he  forgave  it  in 
the  person  of  Christ ;  and  many  more  might  be  noted  who 
confessed  the  same  Christ  in  them  present,  both  before 
and  after  his  time  at  Jerusalem,  which  testimony  could 
never  be  received  [by  the  wisdom  of  the  world]  in  his 
servants  before  nor  then,  nor  since  to  this  day,  for  the 
God  of  this  world  being  king  in  the  heart,  and  having 
blinded  the  eye  of  the  mind  that  should  see  his  spiritual 
glory  throughout  the  light  of  the  gospel,  he  persuades 
the  world  that  he  is  either  past,  or  to  come,  but  never 
present;  and  as  many  as  are  brought  to  confess  him  be- 
fore men  find  it  so  at  this  day,  who  are  hated  of  all  men 
for  his  name's  sake,  that  the  scriptures  mav  be  fulfilh" 
^nd  his  testimony  finished. 


(  433  ) 


And  this  faith  which  confesseth  him  present,  is  that 
svhich  the  world  cannot  bear  nor  receive,  who  will 
preach  him  themselves  at  a  distance,  what  he  was  and 
will  be,  but  this  faith  cannot  reach  his  coming  at  pres- 
eit  in  any  measure  to  receive  his  appearance  now,  nor 
will  this  faith  ever  give  an  f^ntrance  into  his  kingdom 
«pon  earth,  nor  the  holy  rest,  nor  is  this  the  faith  of  Christ 
[that  puts  him  thus  afar  off,]  which  fills  with  all  the  ful- 
ness of  God; 

And  by  what  I  have  learned,  this  is  clear  to  me  forev- 
er without  any  more  controversy,  that  the  faith  that  ad- 
mits of  sin  is  not  Christ's  faith,  nor  hath  any  share  or 
possession  in  him;  that  faith  which  is  not  holy  came  not 
from  God,  and  so  cannot  build  up  to  God ;  that  is  not 
saving  faith  that  doth  not  save  from  sin,  but  is  deceiving 
faith  which  deceives  the  soul,  and  suffers  lust  to  defile  it 
and  destroy  it,  and  so  brings  it  under  condemnation,  by 
believing  lies,  and  so  letting  in  sin  upon  the  soul  by  con- 
sent, persu^tdrng  that  it  cannot  be  otherwise;  and  so 
gives  the  devil  victory,  and  the  world  victory,  and  the 
flesh  victory,  and  sin  victory  over  the  soul,  which  should 
give  the  soul  victory  over  all:  and  what  greater  deceit 
can  ihere  be  to  the  soul  than  this  is?  and  therefore  forev- 
er that  which  1  have  seen  and  learned  do  I  declare  open- 
ly, that  this  is  the  deceiving  faith,  and  indeed  rather  un- 
belief than  the  faith  of  Christ,  which  makes  way  for  the 
God  of  this  world  to  reign,  and  act  in  things  contrary  to 
the  life  of  Christ  in  the  creature,  and  the  life  of  the  soul ; 
and  that  faith  which  gives  way  to  the  least  sin  is  not  the 
faith  of  Christ,  whose  work  and  coming  is  to  destroy  the 
works  of  the  devil,  and  redeem  the  soul  from  sin,  and  the 
least  measure  of  that  faith  that  stands  in  his  life  over- 
comes the  world  and  sin  in  that  measure;  and  he  that 
commits  sin  goes  out  of  that  faith,  amd  acts  against  it. 

And  a  lying  faith  1  have  found  that  to  be  which  per- 
suades  the  soul  of  freedom  from  condemnation,  but  gives 
it  not  freedom  from  sin  which  is  the  cause  of  condemna- 
tion,* and  all  shall  witness  this  with  me  now,  or  hereaf- 
ter, that  where  sin  hath  power,  there  deatli  haih  power, 
and  the  grave  and  hell  and  condemnation  have  power 
also,  for  these  are  the  wages  of  sin;  then  shall  you  see 

55 


(  434  ) 


you  were  deceived  who  believed  the  contrary;  and  may 
not  such  truly  be  said  to  be  past  feeling  indeed,  who  can 
commit  sin  and  feel  no  condemnation  for  it  already? 

And  this  is  the  effect  of  their  false  faith,  to  harden 
themselves  against  the  faithful  witness  of  God  in  their 
own  conscience,  and  the  seared  conscience  hath  made 
shipwreck  of  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine  of  dev 
ils  preaches  the  faith  of  devils  to  give  way  to  the  works 
of  the  devil,  which  all  sin  is  from  the  least  to  the 
t  greatest,  and  he  that  pleads  for  it  is  a.father  to  it,  and 

he  that  commits  it  a  servant,  and  may  look  for  the  wa- 
ges thereof  if  he  repent  not,  notwithstanding  he  believe 
the  contrary. 

And  many  may  feel  this  truth  at  this  day,  who  have  a 
long  time  believed  with  this  faith,  deceiving  their  own 
souls  day  after  day,  believing  they  shall  not  be  condemn- 
ed, when  they  are  condemned  already  in  their  own 
hearts,  and  feel  the  weight  of  sin  daily  pressing  their 
souls,  and  burthening  the  pure  conscience,  and  the  feai 
of  death  and  sin  keeps  their  souls  still  in  bondage,  and 
lies  upon  them  all  their  lives,  and  yet  they  will  force 
themselves  to  believe  contrary  to  the  holy  faith  and  a 
good  conscience  that  they  are  saved  and  redeemed,  and 
thus  make  shipwreck  of  saving  faith  and  a  good  con- 
science, by  believing  a  lie  contrary  to  their  own  dail\ 
feeling,  no  other  thing  to  encourage  them  therein  but  this' 
persuasion,  which  suits  well  with  such  as  take  pleasure 
in  unrighteousness;  which  persuasion  comes  not  of  God. 
but  is  condemned  by  that  of  God  in  themselves;  and  this 
is  the  state  of  many  at  this  day,  though  some  there  be 
whose  consciences  are  seared,  and  feel  not  this  witness 
living  in  them,  yet  their  damnation  slumbereth  not,  tho* 
they  have  lost  their  calling  and  election  also. 

And  this  have  1  learned  in  Christ,  that  there  is  a  great 
difference  both  in  effect  and  nature  betwixt  that  faith 
which  is  the  gift  of  God,  and  that  faith  which  men  make 
to  themselves;  for  that  which  is  the  gift  of  God  is  of  his 
own  nature,  clean,  pure  and  perfect  as  are  all  his  gifts, 
and  so  it  works  naturally  the  work  and  will  of  God  in  all  < 
who  receive  it  freely,  and  mix  nothing  with  it  to  darken 
it  or  stop  his  working,  and  by  this  faith  I  am  saved  from 


^'  (  435  ) 

and  condemnation,  and  begotten  to  the  father  thereof 
in  Christ  Jesus ;  which  faith  is  not  of  myself,  but  it  is  the 
gift  of  God,  to  perfect  holiness  in  the  sight  of  God,  and 
whatever  is  done  in  this  faith  is  not  sin;  and  whatsoever 
is  against  this  faith, or  not  of  this  faith  is  sin,  and  brings 
condemnation,  and  this  faith  approves  not  of  it.  And  if  I 
act  nothing  doubtingly  nor  against  this  holy  faith,  in  this 
faith  I  an  justified  in  my  own  heart,  and  my  own  con- 
science kept  clean,  and  I  approved  in  God's  sight,  and  I 
have  boldness  through  the  obedience  of  faith  in  the  day 
of  judgment,  that  it  is  not  my  own  work,  but  the  right- 
ousness  of  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  this  effect 
hath  saving  working  faith,  and  this  is  its  nature  &  grace. 
But  another  fa^  I  have  found  which  is  not  so  in  na- 

^  ture  or  effect,  being  not  freely  received  from  above,  but 
is  feigned,  and  hath  its  ground  here  below,  and  its  ends 
also:  the  earthly  man  in  his  wisdom  from  the  letter,  rea- 
son or  comprehensions,  sets  up  an  opinion  or  image  in 
his  mind  touching  God  or  Christ,  or  religion,  worship, 
ductrine  or  manners,  or  any  other  thing,  and  then  look- 
ing upon  the  likeness  of  it  in  the  reasoning  part,  gathers 
strength  to  believe  it  must  needs  be  so,  and  so  forms  a 
faith  in  himself:  and  though  this  faith  be  not  perfect 
when  he  hath  formed  it  and  made  it  with  all  his  strength, 
but  many  things  in  scripture  and  the  practice  of  the 
saints  (but  especially  that  of  God  in  his  own  conscience 
will  not  suit  with  it)  yet  the  strong  man  being  above  in 
the  strength  of  his  comprehension,  forceth  a  faith  against 
all  these,  and  causes  all  to  bow  under  it.    So  this  faith 

!  brings  not  forth  the  birth  of  Christ,  nor  his  pure  image 
and  life,  neither  in  matter  of  worship  nor  manners,*but 
what  he  may  imitate  Christ  and  the  saints  in  worship, 
and  keep  the  world  and  escape  the  cross,  and  save  his 
life  and  credit  and  glory  there,  that  he  will  conform  to, 
and  glory  in,  and  for  the  rest,  he  believes  it  concerns  not 

I  him  now,  in  all  things  at  this  day  so  to  walk  as  they  did. 

'  And  as  this  faith  is  not  perfect  in  worship,  so  in  practice 
also;  for  that  evil  he  is  not  addicted  to  he  condemns  in 
all,  but  that  which  is  in  his  own  heart  and  eye,  and  brings 
him  profit  and  pleasure,  that  he  will  cover,  and  believes 
it  may  stand  with  true  belief  at  this  day,  though  formerly 


it  could  not.  And  this  is  the  faith  made  afttef^man,  an8 
not  after  God,  and  serves  in  respect  of  persoiis,  times 
and  things:  but  bows  not  all  these  forever  to  worship  in 
spirit,  nor  brings  them  under  the  foot  of  Jesus,  that  spir- 
it, but  being  earthly  by  nature,  hath  earthly  effects;  and' 
God  doth  not  own  that  with  his  power,  nor  goes  forth 
with  that  which  man  makes,  but  with  his  own  gift,  which 
is  good  and  perfect  in  every  measure  thereof.  And  this, 
also  1  have  learned  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  declare  to  all 
that  seek  faith  in  him,  that  I  never  received  any  meas- 
ure of  this  faith  of  Christ  in  vain,  but  whatever  1  acted 
or  suffered  therein,  from  the  least  measure  to  this  day,  in 
it  1  prevailed  against  whatever  the  light  of  the  spirit  led 
me  out  of  therein,  and  a  shield  I  have  found  it,  and  a 
growth  in  it  towards  Christ  Jesus  in  every  work  of  it, 
wherein  I  have  stood  single  to  the  end,  however  tempted 
or  tried  before  the  end  appeared;  yet  in  the  end  of  that 
faith  I  was  ever  a  conqueror  through  the  spirit,  and  who- 
ever proves  it  to  the  end  in  singleness  of  heart,  shall  be 
witness  with  me  herein,  with  a  cloud  of  witnesses  that 
have  gone  before,  who  by  this  holy  faith  have  prevailed 
over  the  powers  of  sin,  and  entered  into  the  holy  rest, 
who  have  not  sought  their  own  kingdom,  but  the  king- 
dom of  Christ. 

And  only  this  pure  faith,  which  works  towards  the 
appearance  of  Christ  in  all  actions  and  sufferings,  is 
that  which  orders  all  things  in  their  place  and  time,  and 
fits  all  relations  for  his  appearance  therein  to  glorify 
God ;  for  God  is  not  glorified  in  any  thing  upon  earth, 
but  in  whom  the  son  appears,  who  is  the  express  image 
and  glory  of  God,  and  in  whom  alone  he  reveals  himself, 
and  the  glory  of  his  judgments  and  mercy,  the  grace  and 
truth  of  God  is  in  his  face  in  whomsoever  he  appears. 
And  so  every  measure  of  the  heavenly  faith  works 
towards  the  heavenly  appearance,  and  the  earthly  faith 
to  the  earthly  appearance:  and  so  faith  in  God  is  that 
which  works  effectually  by  love,  to  the  image  and  life 
of  God  in  this  world,  which  is  seen  only  in  his  spiritual 
begettings,  which  being  believed  iu,  and  set  above^ 
shines  forth  in  every  measure  shewing  the  virtue  and 
glory  of  the  spirit  of  God.   But  the  feigned  earthly  faith 


(  437  ; 


sdiuits  of  some  earthly  thing  in  the  heart  for  its  end,  ii^ 
love  to  which  it  works  disobedience  to  the  spirit,  and  so 
comes  short  of  the  glory  of  God ;  for  it  cannot  hold 
forth  the  fruits  of  the  spirit  to  glorify  God,  with  an 
earthly  lover  in  the  heart;  nor  can  one  faith  serve  God 
I  and  Mammon.    So  he  that  loves  the  things  of  this  world 
is  God's  enemy,  whose  faith  withstands  the  appearance 
of  Christ  in  his  actions  or  sufferings,  and  so  withstands 
the  glory  of  God,  which  therein  should  be  manifest  to  all 
men:  and  this  is  that  fiith  which  ever  of  old  hath  put 
him  afar  off,  yet  gets  the  form  and  words  to  w  ithstand 
the  life  and  virtue:  and  of  this  sort  they  are,  of  whom 
the  ap  istle  speaks,  having  a  form  of  godliness,  but  deny 
the  power  of  godliness,  who  ever  were  the  greatest  en- 
emies to  the  coming  of  Christ,  being  not  of  the  faith  of 
Christ,  nor  of  the  spirit  of  Christ ;  but  being  from  below, 
withstand  his  coming  from  above,  to  be  brought  forth  in 
his  virtue,  or  worshipped  m  his  spirit,  this  is  antichrist. 
I      And  this  spirit  and  this  faith  it  is  that  wrests  the  scrip- 
i  tures  to  seduce  from  Chrj&t,  and  destroy  the  way  of  his 
•  coming;  and  to  that  end,  ^at  Christ  really  commands 
:  to  be  brought  forth  of  his  life  and  virtue  in  real  appear- 
ance, this  spirii  serves  himself  with  a  meaning,  instead 
of  serving  Christ  witii  real  actual  obedience;  and  so  his 
I  birth  is  a  meaning  instead  of  the  life  of  Christ,  and  this 
.  he  sets  to  oppose  that  life,  lest  it  should  be  born  into 
;  the  world.    As  for  instance;  when  Christ  saith  in  the 
.   scriptures,  he  that  smiteth  thee  on  the  one  cheek,  offer 
,  him  the  other ;  and  he  that  sues  thee,  and  takes  thy  coat, 
i  forbid  him  not  thy  cloak  also;  and  he  that  takes  away 
thy  goods,  ask  them  not  again:  resist  not  evil, but  over- 
come evil  with  Godj  and  love  them  that  hate  you. 
And  many  such  like  commands,  which  Christ  means 
really  and  indeed,  and  led  an  example  in  himself;  and 
whoever  receives  the  same  spirit,  it  moves  to  the  same 
j    thmgs,  as  it  grows  in  any,  and  being  obeyed,  will  bring 
forth  the  same  fruits,  to  glorify  the  father  thereof  to  all 
generations;  which  spirit  waxeth  not  old,  nor  in  its  fruits 
barren,  where  it  is  really  received  in  the  faith  thereof, 
and  obeyed.    But  saith  this  other  faith  in  the  earthly 
spirit,  Christ  did  not  mean  as  he  spoke,  you  must  not 


(  438  ) 


take  It  literally,  those  words  must  have  a  spiritual  mean- 
ing: and  this  spiritual  meaning  of  his  is  to  devour  the  life 
of  this  obedience,  both  in  the  letter  of  Christ  and  spirit  of 
Christ,  and  to  set  up  a  subtile  meaning,  without  the  life  of 
Christ,  and  contrary  to  his  example ;  and  this  he  will  have 
to  take  place  in  all,  both  against  the  plain  words  of 
Christ,  his  example  in  his  walking,  and  the  working  of  his 
spirit  in  others.    And  if  he  cannot  destroy  this  faith  and 
fruit  before  it  be  brought  forth,  then  his  work  is  to  render 
him  a  high  blasphemer,  in  whom  this  child  is  born,  and 
brought  forth  to  light,  and  counts  it  high  presumption 
for  any  to  witness  the  life  of  Christ  in  them,  by  bring- 
ing it  forth  into  the  world;  yet  himself  will  preach 
Christ  in  him,  and  the  life  of  Christ  in  him,  and  the 
spirit  of  Christ  in  him,  and  his  body  the  temple  of  God, 
&c.  because  he  finds  these  w^ords  in  scripture:  but  if  any 
worship  in  that  temple,  so  as  to  believe  and  obey  unto 
life  openly,  that  he  cannot  own  without  a  meaning  in- 
stead thereof.    And  so  he  sets  the  form  to  deny  the  pow- 
er, and  Christ's  words  hewrests  to  deny  his  coming. 
And  how  long  this  faith  hafllprofessed  him  to  come  (and 
his  life  and  glory  at  his  coming)  in  its  own  carnal  com- 
prehensions, many  may  witness;  but  is  never  like  to  re- 
ceive him  in  the  same  life,  and  spirit,  and  power  in  which 
he  ever  appeared.    And  so  to  that  generation  is  he  ever 
to  come,  but  never  present,  further  than  to  make  a  cover 
for  sins  past  and  present,  and  an  encouragement  for  sin 
to  come.    And  thus  the  devourer  turns  the  best  of  things 
into  a  lie,  in  all  that  believe  hini,  that  he  may  keep 
Christ  and  the  soul  from  their  present  union,  which  he 
could  not  long  do  but  by  consent  of  the  creature,  there 
being  that  gift  of  God  in  every  one  which  daily  draws 
towards  him,  where  it  is  not  qjienched  by  believing  lies, 
whereby  such  as  receive  not  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it 
come  to  be  damned,  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  old.  And 
a  straight  passage  I  have  found  into  the  way  of  truth  and 
life,  which  misseth  all  his  subtle  pretences;  and  I  have 
seen  his  words  true,  who  saith,  few  there  be  that  find  it, 
the  enemy  being  every  way  ready  to  meet  them  that 
seek  with  a  shadow,  meaning,  or  some  deceit  to  believe 
instead  of  the  substance,  handling  the  words  of  Gor^ 


(  439  ) 


*eceitfuily,  using  the  gifts  of  God  to  withstand  the 
life  of  the  giver,  and  turning  grace  into  lascivious  lib- 
erty. 

And  thus  have  I  learned  in  the  light  of  the  world, that 
in  my  turning  towards  him  at  his  reproof,  when  I  knew 
him  not,  and  believing  in  his  light  whom  I  had  not  seen, 
I  found  that  faith  given,  which  did  declare  the  righteous- 
ness of  God  m  him,  wherein  he  perfectly  walked  upon 
earth,  both  in  doing  and  suffering,  which  being  turned 
towards,  I  found  the  propitiation  that  God  had  sent  forth, 
through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness 
for  the  remitting  of  my  sins  past,  that  God  might  be 
iust,  who  would  not  have  past  by  my  sins  past,  had  he 
not  accepted  his   sufferings;  nor  have  I  had  liberty 

j  from  sin  past  to  have  followed  him,  nor  could  I  have  been 
accepted  therein,  but  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  same 

.  righteousness;  so  God  was  full  in  justifying,  and  his  for- 
bearance magnified  to  me  therein.  And  in  turning  to 
this  righteousness  of  his,  declared  in  the  light  of  faith 

L  and  hope,  my  face  was  set  towards  God's  righteousness 

I  In  Christ  Jesus,  to  be  attained  for  life  and  salvation  for 
time  to  come  to  walk  in.  And  so  being  turned  towards 
God,  all  my  sins  past  were  behind  me,  and  God's  right- 
eousness before  me;  and  so  from  henceforth  was  I  to 
be  found  in  God's  righteousness,  walking  in  a  measure 
of  it,  and  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  fulness  of  Christ, 
and  attainment  of  God  for  mine  inheritance.  And  this 
great  redemption  I  found  in  Christ  Jesus  at  that  day  was 
in  such  things  as  these  following:  as  first,  his  calling  of 
me  with  his  light;  his  holding  forth  to  me  his  life  and 
suffering  which  were  so  holy,  that  I  could  not  but  confess 
to  them,  his  turning  me  towards  the  same  in  hope  there- 
of by  believing,  his  begetting  a  mind  in  me  towards  that 
same  life,  and  the  increase  of  his  light  that  way  to  lead 
me,  and  the  setting  of  me  free  from  the  wrath  of  God, 
for  all  my  sins  of  ignorance  past,  which  else  had  laid 
upon  me  as  a  weight  or  chain,  binding  me  that  I  could 
not  have  walked  in  the  way  of  his  light,  &c. 

But  I  do  not  say,  that  if  I  turned  to  commit  sin  again, 
that  that  sin  was  cast  behind  my  back  also;  I  learned 
otherwise.  I  found  that  sin  then  before  my  face  greater 


(   440  ) 


limn  the  rest,  and  stood  in  my  way  to  God,  and  stopped 
me  from  following  liis  light,  or  growing  in  his  life,  that  I 
could  no  way  escape  it  but  by  repenting  of  it,  and  re- 
ceiving the  just  sentence  of  condemnation  in  myself,  and 
bearing  his  indignation,  till  he  that  wounded  me  for  it. 
healed  me  again;  which  I  never  found,  but  as  I  turned 
from  the  evil  with  my  whole  heart,  and  accepted  the 
punishment,  till  the  advocate  did  arise  to  intercede, 
whose  blood  I  had  trampled  on,  and  whose  precious  life 
I  had  pierced,  and  his  holy  spirit  grieved,  by  turning 
away  from  his  leadings. 

Nor  do  I  say,  that  all  my  sins,  which  formerly  I  had 
committed,  of  which  I  had  been  convinced  by  the  light 
of  the  world,  when  I  was  in  the  world,  before  I  believed 
it  to  be  sufficient,  that  they  were  wholly  taken  away,  as 
my  sins  of  ignorance  were;  for  this  I  found,  that  God  in 
this  was  just  and  merciful:  merciful,  in  that  he  did  not 
ay  them  all  at  once  before  me,  lest  they  should  have 
prest  me  down,  that  I  could  not  have  followed  the  light, 
nor  gotten  any  strength;  but  must  needs  have  perished 
under  them,  had  he  not  spared.  And  just  I  have  found 
him  also;  for  as  they  were  not  committed  all  at  once,  a- 
gainst  the  light  of  his  spirit;  so  he  hath  at  one  time  or 
other  visited  for  them,  and  laid  them  before  me;  yet  not 
all  at  once,  nor  no  way  so  heavy  as  those  committed  af- 
ter I  believed,  and  gave  up  myself  to  follow  the  light, 
and  yet  to  an  account  he  hath  brought  me  for  them.  And 
coming  to  feel  the  terrors  of  God,  I  have  learned  to  fear 
and  love,  and  have  found  the  ground  and  rise,  and  deceits 
of  that  faith  that  believes  Christ  to  have  taken  away 
the  sins  of  believers,  past,  present  and  to  come,  with 
which  many  at  this  day  make  merry  over  the  witness 
of  God,  and  the  jiist  is  slain  in  them,  and  that  scripture 
I  have  learned  without  a  meaning,  if  we  sin  wilfully  af- 
ter we  have  received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  there 
remains  no  more  sacrifice  for  sin;  but  a  certain  fearful 
looking  for  of  judgment,  and  fiery  indignation  to  devour 
the  adversary ;  though  none  know  how  but  he  that  comes 
to  it  in  the  fulfilling,  and  then  shall  be  seen,  he  that's 
born  of  God  sins  not,  and  he  that  believes  is  born  of 
God,  but  he  that  sins,  turns  his  back  both  on  the  faith 


(  441  ) 


^nd  birth  that's  towards  Christ,  and  becomes  adverse 
thereunto  in  his  work,  whatever  he  says  he  believes. 
And  this  I  have  found  an  everlasting  truth,  whatever 
men  believe  or  imagine,  that  no  longer  than  a  man 
keeps  his  face  towards  the  light  of  God,  no  longer  is 
his  sins  cast  behind  his  back,  whether  they  be  sins 
past,  present  or  to  come;  but  if  he  turn  from  God's 
righteousness,  his  own  iniquities  will  rise  and  meet 
him,  both  new  and  old,  and  in  vain  do  such  believe, 
they  are  then  blotted  out  of  God's  sight, whose  eye 
shews  him  his  way,  in  which  he  then  walks,  and  con- 
demns him  for  it  in  his  own  heart. 

I  Nor  was  the  ground  and  root  of  sin  removed,  so 
soon  as  my  mind  was  turned  by  the  light  from  sin  to- 
wards God,  but  the  motions  thereof  I  found,  and  the 
lust  seeking  to  go  forth  to  its  objects,  to  bring  in  to  con- 

•ceive  sin  again  afresh;  that  ground  was  but  removed, 
as  I  grew  in  Christ  and  he  in  me,  and  as  I  came  to 
V-arn  him,  that  was  in  the  beginning  before  sin  was; 

10  was  learned  in  faithful  following  and  serving  of 
ais  spirit,  in  watching,  in  Tastings,  in  prayers,  and  in  all 

I  spiritual  wrestlings,  as  I  came  to  be  led  into  with  the 

'  light;  in  which  warfare  I  came  to  see  the  hardship  of 
Christ  Jesus,  and  the  baptisms  into  his  death,  the  sloth- 
ful-servant and  the  faithful,  and  their  reward,  and  the 
parables  and  figures  of  the  kingdom  opened,  as  that 

■  spirit  grew  in  me  which  interprets  the  scriptures  in  the 
life,  and  opens  the  sealed  mysteries  thereof  in  their 

:  season,  as  they  come  to  be  fululled.  And  so  I  came 
to  the  gift  of  the  scriptures  by  inspiration,  which  only 
profits  to  the  perfecting  of  the  man  of  God,  which  the 
man  of  this  world  not  having  learned,  wrests  to  his  own 
destruction,  getting  the  words  of  them  in  the  earthly 
part,  before  they  be  fulfilled  in  his  heart  through  the 
spirit,  and  such  receive  them  not  by  inspiration,  nor 

j  the  gift  of  the  holy  ghost. 

'      And  in  this  journey  I  have  seen  the  slothful  servant 
t  overtaken  with  a  fault,  which  he  had  once  cast  behind 
him,  and  never  intended  to  join  to  again,  of  which  the 
'Vdi^pnt  cpvv-^nt  is  kept  free;  and  I  have  ^een  the  wa- 

5ri 


(  442  ) 


ges  of  each  servant  according  to  his  diligence,  in  that 
which  he  hath  of  God  entrusted  in  him,  and  not  by  his 
own  strivings,  in  the  thoughts  of  himself,  his  worth  or 
wisdom.  And  in  diligent  hearkening  and  obeying  of 
the  spirit,  have  I  found  the  right  faithfulness  towards 
God,  though  getting  knowledge  be  highly  esteemed 
with  men,  and  I  have  found  that,  as  I  have  the  spirit 
manifest  in  me  to  profit  withal ;  so  the  times  (>f  my 
profiting  are  only  in  his  hand,  and  my  waitings  upon 
him  when  he  moves  not,  is  my  reasonable  service,  and 
a  profiting  time  to  me  as  if  he  moved,  though  I  see  it 
not.  And  this  I  found  a  great  cross  to  my  hasty  will, 
which  indeed  is  the  true  worship  in  spirit,  which,  when 
I  knew  not  this  spirit  to  hearken  and  bow  to,  and  obey 
and  observe  in  all  things  as  his  will  leads,  I  worship- 
ped I  knew  not  what,  and  my  fear  towards  God  then 
was  taught  by  the  precepts  of  men,  and  I  was  not 
taught  of  the  Lord,  not  being  born  of  that  spirit;  and 
so  all  the  children  of  the  Lord  are  taught  of  the  Lord, 
and  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  spirit  of  God,  they  are 
the  sons  of  God.  These  scriptures  I  then  could  read, 
and  understand  without  meanings,  not  by  that  which 
my  wisdom  taught  me,  but  which  the  holy  ghost  taught 
me ;  and  the  scriptures,  thus  learned  and  received,  was 
no  more  a  notion  to  be  lost,  but  a  possession ;  and  1 
came  to  have  an  inheritance  therein  amongst  them 
that  are  sanctified  in  all  ages,  and  no  subtle  man  could 
either  steal  them,  or  change  them,  or  any  way  beguile 
me  of  the  truth  of  them,  by  wresting  them,  nor  take 
away  my  comfort  I  had  in  them,  my  comfort  and  fel- 
lowship therein  being  in  the  same  spirit  and  life  that 
gave  them  forth;  and  the  word  of  God  thus  grew  and 
endiireth  forever,  and  the  spirit  of  truth,  that  leads  into 
all  truth,  endures  forever,  and  the  seed  of  God  is  one 
therein  to  all  generations,  and  that  is  one  which  per- 
fects the  spirits  of  all  just  men,  and  God  himself  is 
judge  over  all,  and  leader  of  all,  by  his  own  begettings 
in  all  that  enter  into  this  rest  of  the  faithful,  which 
remains  to  all  his  children,  out  of  which  false  faiths 
and  disobedience  shut  themselves. 


(  443  ) 

And  that  which  declares  the  righteousness  of  God 
ibr  remission  of  sins  past,  and  for  an  inheritance  a- 
gainst  sin  for  time  to  come,  have  I  found  to  be  faith 
without  falsehood,  which  righteousness  though  in  the 
faith  and  hope  beyond  declaring,  yet  inherited  but  as 
the  virtues  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus  come  to  be  receiv- 
ed in  the  life  of  them.  And  that  faith  which  hath  not 
that  righteousness  for  its  ground  and  end,  and  the  vir- 
tues, and  several  measures  of  the  growth  of  Christ  for 
its  life  and  increjise,  that  1  have  found  upon  trial  to  be 
a  feigned  fancy,  after  man's  mind,  and  not  after  God's 
measures.  And  he  that  saith  he  hath  faith  in  God, 
and  is  without  the  hope  of  this  righteousness  for  his 
inheritance ;  or  saith  he  hath  Christ  further  than  he 
hath  his  virtues,  for  his  life  and  growth  towards  this 
inheritance,  when  he  comes  to  be  weighed  with  truth, 
will  be  found  too  light  to  stand  in  judgment,  or  abide 
the  fire,  or  to  dwell  with  everlasting  burnings;  the 
trial  of  that  faith  will  leave  him  without  faith:  then 
shall  it  be  read  as  it  is  written,  "  when  the  son  of  maa. 
comes  shall  he  find  faith  on  the  earth." 


Wim  TH£V  BE  THAT- ARE   UISDER  THE   LAW.   ASD  WHO  Tili-i    i  t 
THAT  HAVE  MADE  VOID  THE    LAW  AGAINST  THEMSELVES) 
AND  WHO  THEY  BE  THAT  ARE  UNDER  GRACE. 

Grace  reigns  through  righteousness,  and  the  law 
through  transgression;  and  he  that  says  he  is  from  un- 
der the  law,  and  the  transgressor  alive,  he  makes  void 
the  law  against  himself,  but  is  under  it  in  the  account 
of  God. 

For  the  seed  or  image  of  God  being  fallen,  the  trans- 
gressor is  above,  to  whom  there  is  no  grace  nor  life 
promised,  who  hath  no  true  obedience  but  for  self- 
ends;  upon  this  is  the  law  added  till  the  promised  seed 
arise,  and  a  schoolmaster  the  law  is  till  it -bring  to 
Christ,  who  of  the  woman  is  made  under  the  law,  who 
takes  upon  him  the  seed  after  the  flesh,  the  soul  to 
redeem  from  under  the  transgressor,  that  the  natural 
plant  of  God  may  grow.  So  who  can  witness  the 
teachings  and  chastisings  of  the  law,  to  bring  him  so 
low  till  he  come  under  the  seed,  so  as  the  seed  be  set 
above  the  head  of  the  transgressor,  and  have  bruised 
it,  and  so  taken  away  the  strength  of  sin,  there  the 
strength  of  the  law  is  taken  away  also ;  and  as  the  soul 
is  raised  up  through  the  law,  the  law  being  fulfilled  by 
the  seed  through  the  spirit,  so  it  arises  above  the  law, 
into  the  kingdom  of  grace,  which  reigns  through  right- 
eousness, and  not  by  making  void  the  law;  for  the 
grace  is  to  the  seed,  and  the  law  to  the  transgressbr: 
and  as  these  reign  in  the  creature,  so  is  he  under  the 
law  or  under  grace,  for  the  law  hath  power  over  the 
man  of  sin  as  long  as  he  lives,  then  is  the  seed  of 
promise  in  bondage;  but  he  being  dead  by  which  the 
seed  is  held  captive,  the  seed  rises  under  grace,  which 
as  it  rises  through  the  law  fulfills  it,  and  being  fulfilled 
it  loses  its  strength,  as  sin  dies,  and  so  hath  no  more 
power,  the  law  being  the  strength  of  sin  till  it  be  ful- 
filled by  the  seed  through  the  spirit ;  so  he  that  is  dead 
to  sin,  is  free  from  sin,  and  under  grace:  and  he  that 
casts  off  the  law  while  he  is  alive  that  sins,  makes 
void  the  law  against  himself. 


(   440  J 


So  he  that's  under  grace  is  dead  to  sin,  and  dead  to 
the  law  which  is  the  strength  of  sin,  and  sin  hath  no 
more  dominion  over  the  soul,  the  power  of  it  being 
subdued,  which  was  the  law  unfulfilled  ;  but  where  the 
law  is  made  void,  the  strength  of  sin  yet  remains,  and 
the  law  will  overtake  them  in  the  end. 

And  he  that  learns  this  in  the  death  and  resurrec- 
tion, and  eternal  life,  shall  in  this  work  learn  what  the 
transgression  is,  and  how  the  law  is  added  upon  him, 
and  how  it  is  the  strength  of  sin  in  him,  but  not  in  the 
seed,  and  what  it  is  that  makes  the  entrance  through 
the  law,  and  hovi^  grace  comes  to  abound  where  sin 
hath  abounded,  and  to  reign  through  righteousness 
unto  eternal  life. 

So  where  the  transgressor  is  slain,  there  the  law  is 
at  an  end  and  fulfilled,  and  the  plant  of  God  brings 
forth,  against  which  there  is  no  law,  but  the  law  is 
against  the  man  of  sin,  and  the  man  of  sin  against 
the  law^  as  long  as  he  lives,  and  power  it  will  have 
over  him,  and  one  jot  of  it  will  not  pass  away  till  it  be 
lulfiiiediand  he  that  would  cast  off  the  law  and  make 
it  void,  is  far  from  grace,  but  in  him  that  fulfilleth  the 
law,  doth  grace  and  truth  abound. 


OF  THE  WAY  OF  LIFE,  FROM  THE  KNOWLEDGE 
THAT  DEVOURS  THE  LIFE. 

WouLDEST  thou  know  the  way  of  life  from  thai 
knowledge  which  devours  the  life;  then  be  no  longer 
as  the  wild  asses  colt,  but  take  up  the  yoke  of  the 
son,  in  whom  thou  sayest  thou  believest,  that  the  life 
of  faith  thou  mayst  feel  and  know,  for  only  in  the  obe- 
dience is  the  life  made  sure  to  thee  of  what  thou  be- 
lievest,  and  thereby  is  faith  and  knowledge  made  per- 
fect. 

But  until  thou  attainest  power  for  obedience  of  faith, 
thou  art  dead,  and  know'st  but  words,  in  which  thy 
faith  stands  without  life,  which  accomplishes  nothing, 
but  will  arise  to  condemn  thee  when  thy  time  is  out. 


(  446  ) 


Therefore  in  all  thy  seeking,  mind  that  which  vvork- 
eth  in  a  lowly  mind,  calling  thee  into  the  obedience  of 
what  is  there  made  manifest  in  the  begettings  of  the 
father,  and  not  in  the  conceivings  of  the  brain,  but  in 
the  son ;  for  in  the  brain  knowledge  the  boaster  rules 
who  glories  in  the  wisdom  of  words,  but  not  in  the 
words  of  life;  but  in  the  obedience  of  the  son  is  the 
father  known  and  glorified  in  such  as  walk  in  the  spir- 
it and  not  in  the  wind,  whose  praise  is  of  God,  and 
their  lives  hid  with  him  from  all  knowledge,  but  what 
is  revealed  in  the  obedience  of  the  son:  so  from  man 
you  may  learn  the  knowledge  of  words,  but  the  knowl- 
edge of  life  is  only  in  the  begotten  of  God ;  so  that  he 
that  hath  the  son  hath  life,  not  of  the  disobedient  na- 
ture, for  the  begotten  of  God  is  conformable  to  him 
that  begetteth  him  in  all  things  through  obedience. 

So  feeling  thy  measure  of  the  begettings  of  God,  in 
it  be  obedient,  and  seek  not  to  be  above  it  in  any  thing, 
lest  the  enemy  thereby  get  power  in  thee  to  puff  up  thy 
mind  in  thy  knowledge  above  thy  life,  which  devours 
the  life. 

Therefore  as  thou  feelest  faith,  love,  meekness,  gen- 
tleness, patj^nce,  or  any  godliness  move  in  the  spirit, 
therein  become  obedient  with  all  diligence,  and  there- 
by shalt  thou  know  the  power  thereof  against  all  the 
contrary  motions  in  thy  flesh,  so  shalt  thou  learn  the 
salvation  of  grace  unto  life  eternal,  which  thou  canst 
never  attain  by  talking  or  any  other  way  but  in  the 
obedience  thereof,  so  shalt  thou  not  receive  the  grace 
of  God  in  vain,  nor  words  without  the  working  power 
of  life,  whereby  the  living  knowledge  of  the  mystery 
of  godliness  will  daily  increase. 

For  by  obedience  of  the  spirit  is  the  soul  purified 
from  its  darkness  and  pollution,  and  made  fit  for  the 
further  manifestation  of  the  hidden  mystery,  and  the 
receiving  the  fulness  thereof,  and  walking  therein ;  and 
so  by  the  holy  ghost  thou  shalt  be  able  to  confess  Je- 
sus Lord  over  all  powers  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  the 
opener  of  all  secrets,  and  only  revealer  of  the  father 
who  begetteth,  by  whom  thou  becotnest  wise  in  thy 
knowledge  unto  salvation,  not  unto  vain  babling, 


(  447  ) 


whose  words  shall  rise  and  condemn  them  who  glorify 
therein. 

But  thou, if  inspirit  thou  hearkenest  diligently  and 
obeyest,  shalt  know  that  he  who  sometimes  spoke  by 
the  prophets,  doth  now  speak  by  his  son,  the  everlas- 
ting power  of  godliness,  the  only  begotten  of  the  fa- 
ther, and  in  all  things  like  unto  him,  in  whom'  he  is 
made  manifest;  and  the  prophets  have  prophesied  of 
glory  to  come,  but  the  son  declares  the  father  in  this 
present  life,  according  to  the  measvire  of  him  formed ; 
and  as  he  arises  in  fulness  he  opens  the  heavens,  and 
gives  the  inheritance  thereinto. 


W  OPENING  OF  LIGHT  TO  ALL  SORTS  OF  RULERS  AND  PEOPLE  THA'J 
WAIT     FOR   THE  KINGDOM  OF    GOD,  THAT  YOU    MAY  NOT 
OPPOSE  HIM  IN  HIS  APPEARANCE,  NOR  SET  UP  ANOTHER 
TO  REIGN  UPON  EARTH  IN  HIS  STEAD. 

Do  you  say  you  seek  God,  you  rulers  and  people, 
will  you  seek  his  face  upon  earth?  Or  would  you 
see  his  appearance  to  reign  in  righteousness?  Or 
can  you  rejoice  to  see  him  manifest  in  flesh?  Or  da 
you  love  his  image  who  is  the  father  of  lights  from 
whom  you  look  for  the  son  from  heaven?  Then  be 
not  carnally-minded  in  your  expectation,  least  you 
know  him  not  in  his  appearance  who  is  a  spirit,  and 
so  oppose  him  as  your  fathers  in  the  flesh  ever  did,  ex- 
cept you  be  born  of  the  spirit  you  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

The  father  dwells  in  the  light  and  changes  not,  and 
the  son  is  the  light  of  the  world  in  his  own  image,  by 
whom  he  changes  all  things  that  are  out  of  him,  and 
overturns  shadows  and  customs,  and  makes  the  world 
new;  and  in  spirit  and  povi^er  in  his  kingdom  upon 
earth,  though  veiled  from  flesh  and  blood,  but  revealed 
in  spirit  to  such  as  desire  to  know  and  worship  him: 
And  no  man  could  ever  say  that  Jesus  was  I^ord  buf 
by  the  holy  ghost. 


C  448  ) 

So  with  the  light  of  the  spirit  alone  which  sees 
through  the  veil  is  Jesus  known  to  be  Lord  and  king 
forever,  with  which  you  may  all  see  what  you  set  up 
to  be  Lord  and  ruler  in  yourselves,  or  over  others. 
You  that  choose  rulers,  judges  and  justices,  mayors 
and  constables,  &c.  Do  you  see  through  the  veil  to 
choose  Jesus  in  spirit  to  rule  over  you,  or  over  others? 
Is  that  eye  open  which  knows  the  holyghosl,  and  who 
are  filled  therewith,  that  you  may  choose  him  to  rule 
in  his  kingdom  ?  Do  yon  seek  for  that  spirit  to  choose 
withal  by  which  alone  Jesus  is  known  to  be  Lord? 
Then  it  is  plain  you  seek  God's  kingdom  in  the  face 
of  Jesus  Christ  who  is  that  spirit,  which  turning  to, 
causes  the  veil  to  be  taken  away  from  all  hearts,  and 
will  change  you  also  into  his  image  by  that  spirit,  as 
saith  the  scriptures. 

So  there  were  none  to  be  chosen  for  judges,  kings 
or  rulers  in  Israel's  Commonwealth,  but  who  had  of 
this  spirit  and  unction  put  upon  them,  and  then  the 
Lord  reigned  over  them  in  his  anointed,  whether  king, 
priest  or  prophet,  man  or  woman ;  but  when  they  choos- 
ed  rulers  like  other  nations,  then  they  rejected  (not 
Samuel,)  but  the  Lord,  that  he  should  not  reign  over 
them. 

Now  you  that  say  you  seek  the  Lord  to  rule  over 
you,  and  say  thy  kingdom  come,  mind  what  you  choose 
to  rule  in  you  or  over  you,  and  with  what  spirit,  least 
your  practice  oppose  your  prayers,  and  make  void 
your  daily  expectation;  do  you  choose  after  the  flesh 
as  other  nations  do,  or  do  you  choose  after  the  holy 
ghost?  If  you  choose  after  the  flesh,  then  you  set 
the  veil  betwixt  you  and  the  Lord,  and  God's  kingdom 
and  his  image  you  cannot  see,  and  so  you  reject  the 
Lord  as  other  nations  do;  but  if  you  look  through 
the  veil,  unto  that  which  is  within  the  veil,  then  shall 
the  veil  be  taken  away  from  all  your  hearts,  and  you 
shall  see  him  amongst  you  whom  you  wait  for,  and 
him  alone  set  up  and  worship,  and  choose  him  alone 
to  reign  over  you,  who  is  near  you, at  hand  to  all  that 
put  not  his  day  afar  ofl". 


(  449  ) 

So  if  you  make  rulers  like  all  the  nations,  then  aftei 
the  flesh,  they  that  are  rich,  they  that  are  proud,  they 
that  are  full  of  earthly  glory  &c.  Here  is  the  earth  set 
above,  then  the  veil  is  before  your  eye,  and  you  see 
not  the  Lord,  nor  do  you  set  up  Jesus  to  be  Lord  by 
the  holy  ghost:  but  if  that  eye  be  open  in  you,  that 
can  see  through  the  veil  of  earth,  and  all  this  deal  of 
flesh  and  darkness  to  tha/  which  is  within  the  veil, 
i|   even  the  holy  one  in  his  temple,  him  to  choose  and  set 
above  in  your  minds,  then  your  eye  shall  see  the  lord's 
anointed  and  the  king  in  his  glory,  and  he  shall  rule 
ll  whose  right  it  is  in  every  heart,  and  your  governors 
fl   shall  be  of  yourselves,  and  all  violence  shall  cease, 
i    and  shakings  of  goyernments,  the  government  being 
upon  his  shoulders  who  is  the  prince  of  all  your  peace 
in  the  great  and  in  the  small,  who  shall  reign  in  right- 
eousness, and  judge  the  people  with  equity  for  God 
and  not  for  rewards,  to  whose  authority  every  knee 
shall  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess  for  conscience 
sake,  his  name  being  written  in  every  heart  will  then 
;    be  read,  whose  kingdom  is  everlasting,  and  in  spirit 
\    and  power  he  reigns,  and  in  spirit  is  worshipped  in 
I    heaven  and  in  earth,  who  fills  all  things  with  the  pres- 
I    ence  of  his  glory,  and  his  kingdom  is  near  to  all  that 
(    can  believe,  it's  within  you,  saith  Christ,  and  he  rules 
^1    where  he  is  not  known  (though  not  to  salvation)  who 
is  made  of  the  seed  of  David  after  the  flesh,  by  the 
word  of  God  to  all  generations,  a  king  forever  accor- 
ding to  promise,  whose  kingdom  tho  eye  which  the 
God  of  this  world  hath  blinded  is  putting  afar  off,  who 
sees  not  the  light  of  his  glorious  gospel  though  he  be 
not  afar  off,  but  him  in  whom  all  thmgs  have  life  and 
being,  either  to  salvation  or  condemnation,  and  this  is 
the  condemnation  that  light  is  comg  already  into  the 
world,  which  men  who  love  their  evil  deeds  say  is  to 
come,  and  so  look  for  that  without,  who  is  a  spirit 
within,  and  therein  hath  ever  reigned  more  or  less,  but 
now  his  day  is  arising  over  all  the  world,  whose  sound 
is  gone  out  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  his  light  ari- 
seth  in  everv  heart,  to  life  or  condemnation,  and  some 

57 


(  450  ) 


it  leads  into  rest,  and  others  it  pricks  to  the  heart,  and 
they  kick  against  it,  and  will  not  have  it  to  rule  therein, 
and  to  this  day  he  is  rejected  of  the  builders,  who  is 
the  first-born  unto  God  in  spirit,  blessed  over  all. 

And  now  all  sorts  of  people  wlio  in  truth  wait  for 
the  kingdom  of  God  upon  earth,  with  that  which  in 
you  is  of  him,  you  may  all  see  (if  you  keep  that  eye 
single)  when  he  draws  near  who  is  to  rule,  and  when 
he  is  put  afar  off  in  his  government  here  below:  when 
you  behold  in  any  manner  of  authority,  such  a  spirit  as 
is  for  God  alone,  looking  to  that  of  God  in  every  man 
without  respect  of  person  or  riches,  and  with  a  single 
eye  seeks  to  find  out  where  that  measure  of  God  is 
transgressed  in  any,  or  where  it  is  oppressed  by  any, 
and  with  that  measure  of  God  in  himself  seeks  to  set 
judgment  upon  the  head  of  the  transgressor,  and  to  set 
free  the  innocent  principle  of  God  in  all,  which  will  not 
lead  any  to  evil;  then  is  the  judgment  of  God  and  for 
God,  and  that  of  God  is  set  above  \n  all,  this  is  he  that's 
born  of  God;  here  the  kingdom  of  God  is  near,  and  as 
this  increases,  so  God  draws  near,  and  his  kingdom 
increases,  and  that  of  God  in  you  all  will  answer 
thereto,  and  rejoice  thereat,  which  waits  for  him,  and 
that  which  is  upright  in  every  heart  shall  say  that  is 
the  judgment  of  God,  and  in  that  vessel  is  God  on  his 
throne,  according  to  the  measure  of  that  spirit  set  up 
in  judgment,  so  is  Jesus  Lord  by  the  holy  ghost,  known 
and  bowed  to. 

But  on  the  contrary,  in  what  place  of  authority  so- 
ever it  be,  in  which  the  innocent  comes  for  judgment 
against  the  oppressor;  who  is  too  strong  for  him,  and 
so  seeks  to  justice  to  plead  his  cause  and  to  deliver  the 
seed  of  God  that  is  burthened;  and  when  he  comes 
his  cause  is  not  heard,  but  is  thrust  away  (if  not  fur- 
ther ensnared)  because  he  cannot  oppress  that  of  God 
in  him  more,  either  by  bowing  to  something  of  vain 
customs  or  worships  never  set  up  by  God,  nor  owned 
by  his  witness  for  conscience  sake;  or  else  because  he 
cannot  hire  his  judgment  by  feeding  a  covetous  spirit 
which  is  for  rewards  and  not  for  God,  that  he  judges^ 


(  451  ) 


and  so  the  innocent  soul  is  not  relieved  at  this  throne, 
but  sent  away  as  an  offender,  from  the  place  where  he 
should  be  eased  and  justified  with  the  judgment  of  a 
free  spirit,  for  justice  sake,  doth  not  that  of  God  in  you 
all  testify  against  this,  that  judgment  is  here  turned 
backward  in  that  vessel,  and  that  Jesus  is  not  Lord 
therein?  So  the  innocent  heart  is  saddened  but  not  sa- 
ved, and  the  kingdom  of  God  put  afar  off,  and  the  scep- 
)  tre  of  righteousness  not  seen. 

i      Wherefore  rulers  and  people,  who  set  up  flesh  in- 
I  stead  of  the  holy  spirit  to  rule  over  you,  the  wills  of 
;  men,  the  pride  and  glory  of  this  world,  or  any  visible 
:  thing  here  below  born  after  the  flesh ;  see  what  you 
,  choose,  and  what  you  put  afar  off;  and  with  that  spirit 
i  you  now  choose  you  will  never  see  the  kingdom  of 
God,  nor  be  able  to  say  in  truth  that  Jesus  is  Lord; 
It's  by  the  spirit  of  his  holiness,  meekness  and  true 
•  judgment,  and  works  of  righteousness  that  Jesus  is 
known  to  reign,  and  therein  stands  the  sight  of  the 
kingdom  and  lordship,  in  every  heart,  in  every  court, 
;  and  in  every  place  of  judgment  to  all  generations, 
which  you  deny  in  choosing  the  man  of  this  world  af- 
ter the  flesh  to  rule  in  you,  or  over  you  therein;  and 
yet  you  say  you  look  for  him,  and  thy  kingdom  come 
daily,  but  deny  him  in  the  simplicity  of  his  lowly  spirit 
to  rule  tor  his  own  in  all,  as  all  your  rulers  ever  did,  as 
I   you  have  read  in  w^ords,  and  now  may  read  in  deeds, 
the  world  by  wisdom  knows  not  God,  so  that  spirit 
chooses  its  own  to  rule,  but  cannot  receive  him  whom 
(   you  say  you  look  for. 

And  how  should  any  one  who  sees  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  where  the  simplicity  of  Christ  is  above,  own 
that  kingdom,  or  worship  that  spirit,  and  not  betray 
the  simplicity  of  Christ,  and  give  his  honor  to  another. 
And  if  in  the  meekness  of  mind  you  did  but  weigh 
this,  you  could  not  think  it  so  strange,  why  so  many  at 
this  day  (who  have  received  the  kingdom  of  God  in 
his  lowly  just  and  righteous  spirit)  choose  rather  to 
suffer  death  under  that  spirit  of  this  world,  than  tq  bow 
to  worship  it,  or  confess  thai  due  thereto,  which  belongs 


(  452  ) 

only  to  Jesus  the  Lord,  neither  would  you  say  it  was? 
obstinacy  or  contempt  of  authority  rather  to  suffer  by 
the  will  of  man.  than  to  rob  the  Lord  of  his  glory,  and 
deny  Christ  in  his  kingly  office,  and  set  up  another  in 
his  place. 

And  herein  true  wisdom  may  see,  that  in  so  doing 
we  resist  not  that  power  which  is  ordained  of  God, 
nor  the  person,  but  that  spirit  we  testify  against,  by 
suffering  under,  which  God  never  anointed  for  a  ruler, 
holding  forth  the  anointing  as  we  have  received  for  a 
witness  against  him,  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  confess- 
ing our  king  in  whom  we  receive  power  to  suffer ;  so  to 
us  he  is  come,  and  by  the  gift  of  the  holy  ghost  we 
can  say  he  is  Lord:  therefore  to  us  there  is  but  one 
Lord,  though  there  be  many  so  called,  whether  in 
Heaven  or  in  earth,  yet  have  we  but  one  in  all,  both  in 
Heaven  and  earth,  and  him  we  know  wherever  he  is 
by  the  gift  of  the  holy  ghost,  and  to  him  in  spirit  we 
confess  and  bow,  and  the  fruits  of  his  spirit  are  mani- 
fest with  the  light  of  the  world,  testifying  against  all 
the  works  of  darkness  in  all  the  children  of  his  king- 
dom. 

And  to  us  he  is  born  who  is  from  above  the  holy 
child  ,  wonderful  in  counsel  and  strength,  whose  heav- 
enly power  and  virtue  takes  our  affections  from  all 
earthly  objects  and  worship,  whose  name  is  Immanu- 
el,  and  it  is  written  in  our  hearts,  and  shed  abroad  in 
the  world  in  our  lives,  and  Christ  Jesus  is  the  end  of 
our  conversation,  him  alone  to  put  on,  above  alT  to 
preach,  by  walking  in  him  as  we  have  received  of  that 
lively  image  of  holiness  and  truth,  the  anointed  of  God, 
and  so  we  confess  him  before  men,  who  is  the  right 
heir,  in  what  vessel  soever  he  appears,  and  the  praise 
we  give  to  God  where  this  treasure  is  found  in  the 
earthen  vessel,  and  the  hope  of  all  our  glory  is  Christ 
within,  and  the  increase  of  his  government  is  Christ 
within,  of  which  there  is  no  end,  and  with  that  spirit 
is  all  righteousness  established,  the  kingdom  of  God 
upon  earth,  and  eternal  life. 

And  where  this  is  not  seen,  chosen  and  followed, 
there  men  rule  in  their  own  wills,  and  where  men's 


(   453  ) 


persons  and  riches  are  respected  in  choosing  sac^. 
there  the  same  is  respected  in  judgment  by  such,  aud 
the  law  of  God  is  perverted,  and  the  sword  of  justice 
which  shoukl  defend  the  cause  of  the  innocent  is  laid 
bv,  and  the  fist  of  wickedness  hfted  up  against  that 
which  is  tender  of  God  in  every  conscience;  and  when 
this  rules,  tlie  righteous  seed  mourns  in  secret,  but 
wickedness  reigns  openly:  and  this  is  and  ever  was  the 
state  of  the  kingdom  of  God.  and  the  kingdoms  of  the 
Gentiles;  the  one  rules  in  the  spirit  of  holii)ess,  and 
the  other  exercise  lordship  in  their  own  wills,  chosen 
and  set  up  not  by  the  holy  ghost,  as  you  may  read  in 
the  scriptures  concerning  Israel's  commonwealth,  w  ho 
when  they  wanted  the  ruling  of  this  spirit  they  sold 
themselves  under  their  enemies,  but  when  this  was 
their  judge  they  had  a  saviour  chosen  after  the  spirit, 
not  atter  the  flesh;  whoever  was  the  instrument,  the 
spirit  was  their  saviour. 

Moses  was  a  poor  wandering  shepherd,  yet  in  this 
spirit  a  God  to  Pharaoh, and  saviour  of  Israel:  Sam- 
uel a  poor  man  who  received  no  reward  forjndgintnt, 
and  when  they  went  about  to  choose  another  after 
the  manner  of  other  nations,  they  rejected  God,  who 
then  gave  them  a  king  in  his  wrath ;  David  a  poor  man, 
not  chosen  by  the  outward  appearance,  as  nmn  looks, 
but  by  the  heart,  and  the  direction  of  the  spirit,  he  was 
the  shepherd  of  Israel,  and  his  seed  of  tiie  same  elec- 
tion hath  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  promise  to  all 
generations.  Elisha  a  ploughman,  yet  by  that  spirit 
was  he  brought  to  see  the  chariots  of  Israel  and  horse- 
men  thereof.  Deborah  a  woman,  yet  a  judge  and  de- 
liverer to  Israel. 

And  too  long  would  it  be  to  instance  in  aJl  ages  how 
he  hath  set  up  his  throne  and  saved  his  people  in  mis 
election,  not  of  wisdom,  riches,  or  worldly  giorv,  but 
the  poor  of  this  world,  rich  in  faith,  heirs  of  the  king- 
dom of  promise,  which  you  say  you  look  for,  but  can- 
not see  nor  receive  while  you  cho«iSe  aUtr  the  tiesh,as 
the  world  hath  ever  done,  who  still  have  bent  ail  their 
wisdom  and  religion  to  keep  the  heir  out  of  his  king- 


C  4o4  ) 

^om,  whom  they  have  been  looking  for  after  the  fleslu 
but  not  believing  in  the  light,  to  give  them  a  sight 
through  the  veil  to  him  that  is  born  of  the  spirit,  have 
resisted  the  holy  one,  and  chosen  the  murderer,  as  did 
your  fathers,  so  do  you  always  resist  the  holy  ghost; 
and  as  it  was,  so  it  is,  that  which  is  born  of  the  flesh 
is  flesh,  and  chooses  after  the  flesh,  and  worships  after 
the  flesh,  for  it  can  see  no  further,  it  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  God,  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  spirit  is 
spirit,  and  chooses  after  the  spirit,  and  worships  in 
spirit,  and  these  are  contrary  kingdoms,  and  he  that's 
born  after  the  flesh  persecutes  him  that's  born  after 
the  spirit,  ever  did  and  ever  will  do,  for  the  scripture 
cannot  be  broken,  which  hath  so  said  and  is  now  ful- 
fdled. 

And  now  you  that  are  called  christians,  you  read 
and  preach  of  this  king  Christ  Jesus  and  his  kingdom, 
what  a  one  he  ever  hath  been  in  his  appearance  upon 
earth,  by  whom  he  hath  been  received,  and  by  whom  . 
rejected,  and  after  what  manner  he  hath  ever  suffered, 
and  by  what  power  he  hath  reigned  in  all  ages,  and 
this  you  will  confess  in  words,  but  will  you  now  receive 
him  to  reign  in  you  ?  Or  can  you  own  his  appearance 
where  it  is  set  up  in  others,  and  not  be  offended  there- 
with, is  that  eye  open  that  knows  him,  or  can  you  de- 
light in  him  who  was  never  like  the  world  in  his  walk- 
ings? Was  not  he  ever  poor  as  to  this  world,  and 
therefore  rejected  of  the  rich  and  learned;  lowly, and 
rejected  of  princes  and  them  that  were  high?  .  Was 
not  his  work  ever  to  change  shadows,  and  forms,  and 
religious  traditions  set  up  in  men's  minds  above  the 
life  of  truth,  and  leadings  of  the  spirit,  and  to  set  up 
spiritual  worship  and  obedience  in  its  place?  And 
therefore  by  the  builders  ever  rejected  and  condemn- 
ed, and  his  new  work  was  ever  foolishness  to  the  wise, 
wherefore  he  bore  the  reproach  tt^reof  with  patience; 
was  he  not  ever  meek  and  innocent,  and  harmless  in 
his  conversation  towards  all  men  as  a  lamb  indeed, 
separate  from  sinners  in  life,  yet  seeking  to  save  them 
out  of  sin  with  the  daily  giving  up  of  his  life,  &c.  So 


(  455  ) 


iie  was,  and  so  he  liath  ever  appeared  on  earth ;  now 
can  you  receive  your  king  as  he  was,  yon  that  wait  for 
him?  Or  do  you  think  he  is  chans^ed?  Is  he  now 
become  proud  and  lofty  in  flesh  after  the  world,  cruel, 
and  covetous  and  hard-hearted,  subtle  and  crafty  to 
deceive  the  simple,  strong  and  violent  to  trample  on 
the  helpless?  Doth  the  glory  of  his  sceptre  now^ 
stand  in  meats  and  drinks  and  line  apparel  or  great 
earthly  possessions?  Doth  he  now  come  to  take  up 
his  abode  and  delight  in  these  things?  Whoever  hath 
come  to  take  the  minds  of  his  people  out  of  these 
things  up  into  the  heavenly  treasure?  Doth  he  now 
delight  in  earthly  glory, strife  and  exaltation?  Are  the 
weapons  of  his  warfare  now  become  carnal,  where- 
with he  overcomes  his  enemies?  Doth  he  now  come 
with  hauling  and  beating,  whips  and  prisons  and  cruel 
tortures  to  take  the  kingdom  of  peace,  who  hath  suf- 
fered such  things  formerly  from  the  world  himself,  and 
will  he  now  turn  oppressor  of  that  which  is  tender  in 
conscience,  and  grind  the  face  of  the  poor,  or  pervert 
the  judgment  of  the  needy?  Should  he  now^  be  seen 
in  works  of  this  nature,  were  this  to  appear  the  second 
time  without  sin  unto  salvation,  as  he  is  promised? 
Sure  the  veil  is  thick  over  that  heart  who  sees  not 
that  this  is  not  his  kingdom,  power,  nor  glory,  nor  his 
image,  who  is  the  same  yesterday,  to  day,  and  for- 
ever. 

Yet  is  this  nature  above  in  many,  and  chosen  to  rule 
over  many,  who  say  they  wait  for  his  kingdom,  that 
eye  being  darkened  with  love  of  the  world,  which 
should  give  the  true  sight  of  his  coming,  the  carnal 
mind  thinks  God  to  be  like  himself:  but  did  you  but 
honestly  look  into  your  own  hearts,  with  that  eye 
which  puts  a  difference  between  things  that  differ  in 
yourselves,  to  know^  each  motion  of  each  spirit,  and 
each  power,  and  the  end  and  nature  of  its  working, 
the  earthly  and  the  heavenly,  you  would  soon  be  able 
to  judge  of  these  two,  which  so  far  differ  in  their  fruits, 
and  are  so  contrary  in  all  things,  and  to  own  the  right 
heir  in  his  kingdom. 


(  456  ) 


But  while  you  suffer  the  God  of  this  world  to  kee; 
his  throne  in  your  hearts,  by  letting  him  captivate  your 
minds  and  affections  into  earthly  delights,  it  is  not 
like  he  will  suffer  you  to  choose  a-right,  nor  receive 
another  to  reign  in  you  or  over  you,  the  eye  of  the 
mind  being  blinded  therewith,  the  light  of  the  gospel 
cannot  shine  into  the  heart  by  w  hich  you  should  choose, 
and  which  gives  the  knowledge  of  God  in  the  face  of 
Jesus  Christ,  nor  that  treasure  be  seen  or  received  in 
the  earthen  vessel,  as  king  either  in  yourselves  or  oth- 
ers; but  the  wise  in  heart  know  what  they  wait  for, 
and  when  they  see  him  they  rejoice  with  the  joy  of 
his  kingdom,  which  consists  not  in  carnal  things,  nor 
comes  with  outward  observations,  but  whose  coming 
is  within,  and  whose  kingdom  consists  in  righteous- 
ness, peace  and  joy  in  the  holy  ghost;  blessed  be  our 
king  for  ever,  and  blessed  are  they  who  put  not  his 
kin^^dom  afar  off. 

And  therefore  you  rulers  and  people  of  all  sorts 
high  and  1  'vv,  this  word  is  to  you,  and  this  day  is  to 
you  the  day  of  the  Lord,  arise  and  receive  your  king 
into  his  kingdom,  that  he  may  receive  you,  and  estab- 
lish you  therein ;  the  Lord  is  at  hand,  he  is  near  to  all 
that  call  upon  him  in  truth  and  righteousness. 

To  you  princes,  judges,  justices,  mayors  and  consta- 
bles, and  all  sorts  of  rulers  who  are  in  the  place  to 
govern,  the  Lord  is  at  hand,  he  is  near  you  all,  the 
kingdom  of  God  is  within  you,  the  principle  of  God  is 
within  you,  with  which  (if  you  mind  it)  he  will  break 
the  yoke  of  the  oppressor  within  you  and  without  you 
by  the  sword  of  justice,  that's  his  kingdom  upon  earth, 
put  it  not  afar  off,  let  it  arise  in  your  hearts,  set  it  up 
above  the  will  of  man,  let  it  shine  in  your  hearts,  let  it 
speak  in  your  courts,  that  which  is  of  God  in  you  all, 
which  judges  justly  and  with  equity;  lay  by  your  will, 
your  pride,  your  covetoustiess,  and  all  that's  above 
that  spirit  of  meekness  in  your  mmds,  and  make  room 
in  your  hearts  for  the  holy  ghost,  that  thereby  Jesus 
may  be  Lord  in  you,  and  over  others,  that  you  may 
know  him  to  whom  judgment  belongs,  to  be  in  you ;  you 


(  457  ) 


need  not  say  who  shall  ascend  into  Heaven,  to  bring 
down  Christ  from  above,  or  who  shall  descend  into  the 
deep  to  bring  up  Christ  again  from  the  dead,  for  he  is 
nigh  yon,  and  you  may  feel  his  witness  in  spirit,  and 
his  word  is  in  your  hearts,  the  word  of  faith,  the  word 
of  righteousness,  that  therewith  you  may  all  know 
him,  who  standeth  in  the  congregation  of  the  mighty, 
to  judge  among  the  Gods,  who  judges  not  unjustly,  nor 
accepteth  the  person  of  the  wicked,  but  that  with  him 
you  may  deliver  the  poor  and  fatherless,  and  judge 
ihe  cause  of  the  stranger,  wherein  they  are  oppressed; 
that's  his  kingdom,  and  that's  the  word  of  faith  and 
the  word  of  righteousness  that  leads  to  it. 

And  if  this  be  set  up  in  your  own  hearts,  to  love  it 
more  than  gifts  and  rewards,  persons  or  earthly  glory, 
then  is  the  Lord  near  you,  and  his  kingdom  is  above 
the  earth  in  you.  and  your  work  will  be  to  set  it  above 
the  earth  in  others,  and  so  the  kingdom  of  your  father, 
who  begets  this  in  your  hearts,  his  kingdom  comes,  as 
his  will  is  done  upon  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven,  where 
all  obey  him,  there  is  the  kingdom  his,  the  power  is  his 
by  which  you  judge,  and  the  glory  is  his  of  your  right- 
eous judgment,  now  and  forever  if  you  therein  abide; 
and  thus  shall  you  be  of  the  obedient  children  to  that 
of  your  father  in  you  begotten,  who  say  and  do,  who 
pray  and  practise,  and  not  like  the  Scribes  and  Phar- 
isees, and  lawyers,  who  said  and  did  not,  who  made 
long  prayers,  but  devoured  the  poor  and  needy,  and 
judged  not  of  the  cause  of  the  stranger,  but  laid  heavy 
burthens  upon  others,  and  bowed  not  thereto  them- 
selves, who  could  not  believe  in  the  light,  nor  receive 
Christ  within  them,  though  he  told  them  the  kingdom 
of  God  was  within  them,  and  his  word  had  no  place 
in  them,  who  were  filled  with  pride  and  wilfulness,  so 
they  had  lost  the  key  of  knowledge,  the  key  of  David, 
to  open  to  them  the  way  into  the  anointing,  whereby 
to  know  David's  Lord  to  reign  in  spirit,  which  hath  the 
promise  of  David's  throne  forever;  so  when  they  lost 
this,  the  kingdom  departed  from  Israel,  and  the  priest- 
hood also:  and  he  set  up  his  sign  to  the  gentiles. 

5« 


<  458  ) 


preaching  the  kingdom  of  God  to  them  that  were  afar 
off,  and  ihey  that  were  not  a  people  came  to  the  king- 
dom of  his  anionting,  and  that  great  mystery  that  had 
been  hid  from  ages  was  opened  thereby  to  the  Gen- 
tiles, which  was  Christ  in  them  the  hope  of  glory,  and 
kingdom  of  the  father. 

And  now  you  that  are  called  christians,  and  are 
making  great  declarations,  what  a  glorious  kingdom 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  will  beat  his coming,and  what 
holiness  and  righteous  government,  and  many  high 
things  and  great  glory  you  look  for,  &c.  But  above 
all  the  rest  how  are  you  estranged,  who  are  gone  out 
again  from  the  anointing  to  look  for  this  without  you, 
while  you  reject  it  within  you?  Was  Christ  within 
them  that  great  mystery  that  had  been  hid  form  ages, 
which  by  the  hearing  of  faith  was  opened  to  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  was  the  hope  of  glory  to  them  (even  Christ 
within  them,  whom  the  apostles  preached,  warning 
every  man  and  teaching  every  man  that  they  might 
present  every  one  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  hope  of 
glory  within  them,  which  faith  the  jews  not  receiving, 
lost  their  king  and  kingdom?)  And  is  your  hopes 
without  you,  as  the  Jews  was?  Is  that  the  hope  the 
apostle  preached  to  the  Gentiles,  or  that  which  enters 
within  the  veil?  Is  there  not  a  veil  drawn  over  your 
hearts  again,  whilst  you  read  this  in  the  scriptures? — 
And  have  not  you  lost  the  key  of  knowledge,  who  are 
^one  out  from  the  anointing  in  your  hopes?  Have  you 
not  lost  the  key  of  David,  which  should  let  you  see 
David's  Lord,  in  which  the  kingdom  of  God  is  estab- 
lished forever?  Did  God  swear  this  to  David  after 
the  flesh,  or  to  Abraham  after  the  flesh,  or  to  any  after 
the  flesh?  1  hen  how  is  his  kingdom  everlasting?  Or 
why  did  he  say  the  flesh  profits  nothing?  And  why 
did  the  apostle  say,  they  desired  henceforth  to  know 
no  man  after  the  flesh,  no  not  Christ  himself?  Flesh 
and  blood  passeth  away,  but  this  kingdom  is  everlast- 
ing; so  he  whom  the  apostles  preached  in  spirit  by  the 
receivmg  of  the  holy  ghost,  wherein  they  were  to  grow 
up  to  the  measure  of  his  stature  and  fulness,  him  you 


(  459  ) 

reject  iii  spirit,  to  be  the  hope  of  your  glory  and  king- 
dom, and  wait  for  a  government  after  the  flesh,  and  so 
shut  up  the  great  mystery  of  godliness  which  was 
opened,  and  the  kingdom  against  yourselves,  which 
mystery  is  not  after  the  flesh,  but  God  manifest  in  flesh, 
Christ  within  the  hope  of  glory;  and  this  mystery  was 
ever  shut  with  carnal  expectations,  but  opened  in  the 
spirit,  as  it  was,  so  it  is,  who  denies  the  spirit  to  be 
Lord,  shuts  up  the  kingdom. 

Wherefore  arise  out  of  the  flesh,  you  rulers  and 
people,  and  receive  your  king,  long  hath  he  been  re- 
jected and  thrust  out  of  the  throne  of  jridgment,  for 
which  you  have  no  peace  nor  establishment;  why  will 
you  not  turn  to  him  who  calls  you  in  spirit,  what  a 
shame  is  this  that  you  are  called  Christians,  and  know 
not  your  anointing,  viz.  Christ  in  you?  What, Chris- 
tians and  without  Christ,  Christ  not  come?  What  do 
you  rule  withal,  and  discern  with,  and  judge  with? 
Are  not  all  those  reprobate  who  know  not  Christ  in 
them  ?  but  if  you  know  a  just,  a  holy,  a  righteous  prin- 
ciple of  spirit  in  you  that  is  of  Christ,  set  it  up,  and  you 
set  up  Christ,  bow  to  the  holy  ghost,  and  you  worship 
inspirit,  and  thereby  you  shall  say  that  Jesus  is  Lord, 
set  up  his  light  in  your  hearts,  and  his  day  will  arise 
to  you  all,  for  there  must  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day- 
star  arise  in  your  hearts,  which  will  give  the  knowl- 
edge of  God  near  you,  and  true  judgment  near  you, 
and  that  which  rules  over  spiritual  wickedness  near 
you,  which  all  must  bow  to  who  receive  the  kingdom 
of  God ;  honour  God  in  your  hearts,  set  him  up  in  your 
hearts,  let  him  be  judge  in  your  hearts,  and  first  receive 
his  light  and  judgment  there,  before  you  pass  judgment 
upon  others,  lest  you  in  judging  others  before  men, 
condemn  yourselves  before  God.    David  had  little 
thought  he  had  done  that,  when  he  said, "he  that  had 
taken  his  neighbours  lamb  should  surely  die;  and  you 
may  soon  do  the  like,  if  you  go  out  from  the  spirit,  and 
judge  before  you  receive  judgment  in  your  own  hearts, 
and  see  all  be  clean  there  first,  then  is  your  sceptre 
established  in  righteousness,  and  your  judgment  in 


(  460  ) 


erutli,  which  is  the  sceptre  of  the  throne  of  David  119 
spirit,  which  condemned  David  in  flesh,  and  will  con- 
demn you  in  the  flesh  if  you  sin  against  it;  and  thai  is 
his  kingdom,  and  he  is  king  forever,  who  in  spirit  con- 
demns sin  in  the  flesh,  and  for  this  end  is  he  manifest, 
that  the  righteousness  of  the  law  may  be  fulfilled  in 
ail  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit, 
which  comes  in  his  name  who  went  away  after  the 
flesh,  that  the  kingdom  might  come. 

And  if  you  receive  your  authority  and  judgment  in 
this  right  principle  of  God,  it  will  judge  for  God  in  all, 
yourselves  and  others,  and  it  will  fit  you  to  be  media- 
tors betwixt  the  offender  and  sufl*erer  in  all,  and  you 
will  see  what  it  is  which  transgresseth,  and  what  is 
transgressed,  and  the  nature  of  every  offence  to  pass 
an  equal  judgment  accordingly,  and  this  is  of  God, 
and  he  loves  it;  and  where  that  of  God  is  pressed  not 
to  clear  the  oppressor,  but  to  judge  the  oppressor,  and 
set  that  of  God  which  is  innocent  free;  and  here  with 
that  of  God  in  yourselves  you  judge  for  that  of  God  in 
all,  and  set  that  of  God  above  the  oppressor  in  all, 
which  oppressor  is  not  of  God  in  you,  nor  in  others, 
but  is  to  be  judged,  and  for  the  law  and  for  the  sword ; 
but  against  that  of  God  the  law  is  not. 
.  And  here  is  God's  kingdom  already  near,  and  not"^ 
afar  off,  where  God  is  all  in  all,  and  the  righteous 
reigns,  and  the  power  that  is  ordained  of  God,  the  soul 
is  subject  to  for  conscience  sake  towards  God  in  heav- 
en and  earth;  and  that  of  God  in  every  conscience 
shall  answer  to  your  judgment  and  authority,  and  God 
shall  set  you  up  therewith  as  a  terror  in  every  heart 
above  the  evil  doer,  the  murderer  and  traitor,  anc]  the 
arrows  of  the  almighthy  shall  stick  in  the  hearts  of  all 
that  seek  to  undermine  this  government,  for  the  king- 
dom of  God  it  is,  in  which  he  rules,  who  cannot  forget 
himself,  nor  hath  this  kingdom  been  taken  from  any 
who  received  it  thus,  till  they  go  out  of  it  themselves, 
by  suffering  or  setting  up  another  to  rule,  above  that 
measure  of  this  just  and  innocent  principle  of  God» 


(  461  ) 


And  if  you  receive  this  kingdom  from  heaven  in  the 
love  of  It,  then  shrill  you  receive  your  judgment  from 
heaven  also,  and  your  law  to  judge  by,  and  God  shall 
iTjake  you  rich  towards  him  in  righteous  judgment,  and 
towards  his  people,  and  a^^ii^scerning  spirit  will  he  give 
you  in  this  anointing,  to  know  hard  matters  that  are 
hid  from  flesh  and  Dlood,  which  you  shall  receive  in 
secret,  and  bring  forth  openly,  and  shall  hear  and  fear, 
and  praise  the  Lord  for  you ;  and  you  shall  no  more  go 
to  the  heathen  to  learn  judgment,  whom  the  Lord  hath 
removed  far  from  him,  nor  shall  you  uphold  those  laws 
by  which  the  servants  of  God  have  suffered  formerly 
in  the  times  of  Popery;  nor  shall  ttv/statutes  of  Omri 
be  kept  and  observed,  nor  follow,the  ways  of  the  house 
of  Jeroboam,  for  you  have  SQ^en  what.^God  hath  done 
concerning  them,  that  you  may  fear  to  follow  them; 
but  you  shall  have  your  laws  fronithe  law-giver  Christ 
Jesus,  and  your  judgment  from  the  father  of  lights, 
whose  ministers  you  then  are,  to  whose  sword  that  of 
God  in  every  conscience  shall  answer,  which  is  writ- 
ten in  every  heart,  and  which  every  hear{  shall  fear  to 
offend,  when  they  hear  that  the  Lord  hath  raised  him 
up  judges  as  at  the  first,  and  counsellors  as  ^^t  the  be- 
ginning, and  the  heathen  shall  hear  and  fear^^and  come 
to  you  to  learn  judgment,  and  righteousness  sh^ll  arise 
from  amongst  you  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  the 
break  of  God's  day  shall  be  with  you  first,  as  to  you 
it  is  first  tendered,  if  you  be  not  found  unworthy  to  re- 
ceive him,  and  he  shall  make  you  as  a  head  in  coun- 
sel, and  the  first  born  of  all  nations  unto  God  shail 
you  be,  if  you  receive  him,  wherein  the  blessing  of 
God  is  bound  up  by  an  oath,  and  his  strength  upon 
earth  to  all  generations. 

And  this  is  the  love  of  God  to  you  all  once  more, 
the  rulers  of  these  nations,  from  the  highest  to  the  low- 
est, that  love  might  open  your  hearts  which  the  earth 
hath  shut  and  sealed,  that  you  might  come  to  a  feelin  g 
of  your  everlasting  establishment,  and  that  your  fears 
inay  cease  in  an  endless  union  betwixt  Christ  your 
king,  and  your  own  souls,  to  the  dread  of  all  your  ene- 


(  462  ; 


mies,  and  eternal  praises  lift  Hp  to  him  indeed,  who 
Iiath  scattered  your  enemies  many  a  time  for  you,  and 
all  their  dark  plots  brought  to  light  that  you  may  love 
the  light  wherein  is  your  salvation,  and  not  plot  in 
darkness  against  his  innocent  ones,  as  your  enemies 
do,  but  with  hearts  open  and  naked  receive  the  truth, 
which  condemns  all  the  deeds  of  darkness  in  you  and 
in  them,  least  he  bring  your  plots  and  secret  counsels 
against  the  innocent  upon  )our  heads,  as  he  hath  of- 
ten done  to  your  enemies,  for  he  will  avenge  the  poor, 
though  long  he  suffer  with  tliem  and  in  them;  and  this 
is  now  seen  concerning  you,  as  was  formerly  seen  con- 
cerning them,  of  which  they  were  warned  in  words,  and 
witnessed  against  in  sufferings  long  before  it  came, 
who  are  now  broken  as  a  potters  vessel,  and  cannot 
be  made  whole,  but  whatever  they  do,  breaks  them 
more:  and  now  are  you  warned  and  invited  in  love, 
who  sees  before  you  this  day  what  God  hath  done  con- 
cerning them,  and  suffered  concerning  you- 

And  lam  bold  in  the  love  of  God  to  send  this  to 
you  all  wherein  there  is  a  seed  of  God,  and  I  know 
there  is  that  of  God  in  you  which  will  answer  to  the 
truth  of  this;  and  the  scriptures  witness  with  me  al- 
so: so  I  am  not  alone,  but  by  two  infallible  witnesses 
every  word  is  established,  either  to  life  or  condemna- 
tion; and  my  prayers  to  God  is  and  shall  be  as  long  as 
this  of  God  in  me  hath  breathings,  that  you  may  re- 
ceive the  kingdom  of  God  which  is  near  you,  through 
that  spiritual  light  and  key  that  opens  the  door  of 
your  entrance  thereinto,  that  you  may  come  to  be 
established  in  the  covenant  of  God  and  not  of  man, 
and  that  you  may  not  resist  the  holy  ghost,  as  hither- 
to you  have  many  of  you  done,  nor  kick  against  that 
which  pricks  you  at  your  hearts  when  you  are  told 
hereof,  lest  you  be  broken  in  the  end,  so  as  you  can 
never  be  healed,  which  is  near  at  hand,  to  be  broken 
or  established,  as  you  receive  God  or  refuse  him,  who 
hath  long  waited  upon  you  that  now  are,  and  with 
much  patience  is  he  finishing  as  large  a  testimony  of 
his  long-suffering  and  forbearance  among  you,  as  ever 


(  463  ) 


was  since  the  world  began,  though  it  be  little  seen 
where  the  light  is  rejected,  which  the  longing  of  my 
soul  is,  may  he  for  the  leading  to  repentance,  that  you 
may  be  established  after  all  these  shakings,  in  that 
which  cannot  be  shaken,  otherwise  the  most  miserable 
woe  that  ever  was  will  come  upon  you,  your  profession 
of  Christ  being  the  greatest  that  ever  was  since  the 
beginning ;  and  his  oppression  answerable,  under  which 
he  suffers  in  all  places  of  the  nations,  for  a  testimony 
that  the  kingdom  is  near  you,  whether  you  will  receive 
him  or  refuse  him,  whose  life  in  measure  is  now  mani- 
fest in  mortal  flesh,  and  the  light  thereof  ariseth  in 
every  conscience  to  lead  or  condemn. 


A  CANDLE    LIGHTED,  TO  GIVE   THE  SIGHT  OF  THE  GOOD  OLD 
WAY  OF  GOD  AT  HIS  COMING,  FROM  THE  WAYS  THAT 
NOW  ENSNARE  THE  SIMPLE. 

A  voice  in  the  wilderness  cries  aloud  to  all  you 
who  are  talking  of  the  Lord's  coming,  prepare  his 
way,  make  his  paths  straight;  make  way  for  the  just 
to  come  to  judgment,  make  him  way  in  your  streets, 
he  comes  not  in  a  corner,  nor  is  he  kept  in  the  secret 
chambers,  but  openly  in  the  streets  of  your  great 
cities,  where  iniquity  is  committed  openly,  whose  cry 
hath  gone  up  before  the  Lord,  and  he  comes  to  see 
whether  it  be  so  indeed  as  the  cry  hath  been;  and  be- 
hold here  is  no  room  for  the  feet  of  his  servants  to 
pass, in  whom  he  comes;  the  ancient  paths  of  peace 
are  broken  up,  the  sea  hath  broken  its  banks,  it  rages 
and  swells  exceedingly,  and  the  good  old  ways  are 
grown  like  a  wilderness,  they  are  filled  with  heaps  of 
rubbish,  so  that  the  stranger  cannot  pass  who  hath  no 
habitation  in  the  earth,  our  streets  are  become  as 
Sodom  which  God  overthrew,  who  can  see  and  not 
lament?  How  are  the  paths  of  the  just  devoured? 
How  are,  briars  and  thorns  grown  over  the  way  of  the 


(  464  ) 


righteous,  which  takes  hold  of  the  upright  what  way 
soever  he  turn, if  he  come  against  sin?  So  the  inno- 
cent cannot  pass  if  he  come  in  the  name  of  the  Lord: 
all  have  freedom  but  the  heir,  and  such  as  he  sends 
before  his  face  to  prepare  his  way;  swearers,  liars, 
drunkards,  and  all  deceitful  workers  are  become  free- 
men, have  free  passage,  and  every  one  brings  forth 
without  fear;  but  he.  that  departs  from  iniquity, and 
testifies  against  it,  is  beset  about  with  them  all,  as  a 
sheep  in  the  briers,  what  way  soever  he  turns,  his 
bonds  are  increased.  How  is  true  judgment  driven 
into  a  corner,  and  wickedness  .  come  into  the  streets, 
which  rises  up  without  fear  against  him  that  reproves 
it;  for  violence  hath  got  into  the  seat  of  equity,  and 
hath  framed  mischief  by  a  law,  and  hath  turned 
judgment  backwards. 

Should  not  truth  have  its  way  amongst  you  profes- 
sors, and  righteous  judgment  pass  upon  its  enemies 
where  they  are  found,  and  plead  its  own  cause  against 
iniquity?  But  he  that  letteth  stands  in  the  way  with 
his  weapons,  to  devour  him  that  is  more  righteous  than 
himself,  and  no  man  is  able  to  restore  to  the  upright 
his  path ;  or  can  he  redeem  his  own  way  but  through 
blood?  Shall  he  condemn  iniquitv,  and  not  be  a  prey? 
Or,  shall  he  reprove  sin  in  the  gate,  and  not  be  taken 
in  their  drag?  And  when  the  innocent  is  caught  in 
this  net,  to  whom  shall  he  cry  for  relief,  and  not  in- 
crease his  bonds?  Or,  who  will  plead  his  innocent 
cause  and  not  betray  him?  If  he  would  appeal  to 
justice,  he  cannot  come  at  it, nor  doth  judgment  sit  in 
the  gate;  is  there  help  in  the  house  of  the  king,  or 
will  the  house  of  the  priest  plead  his  right?  Or  to 
whom  may  he  commit  himself  with  safety,  whose  life 
and  faith  is  held  in  a  pure  conscience?  Or  in  what 
court  can  he  appear  without  offence?  Are  not  snares 
laid  in  lower  places,  and  on  the  mountains  a  net 
spread?  And  do  not  these  daily  catch  men?  Search, 
if  there  be  a  man  left  that  is  valiant  for  truth  upon 
earth,  who  for  fear  or  favour  will  not  wink  at  oppres- 
sion, or  that  dare  faithfully  stand  by  him  that  come*: 


(  465  ) 


m  the  name  of  the  Lord  to  reprove  sin  openly;  who 
is  he  that  hath  not  laid  riches  or  honour,  or  some 
piece  of  earth  in  his  own  way,  to  stop  his  feet  from 
ihe  path  of  uprightness?  And  so  is  every  man's  arm 
become  too  short  to  relieve  the  oppressed,  or  to  open 

I  the  way  wherein  the  innocent  may  serve  his  maker 
without  fear?  Or,  the  just  to  proclaim  the  holiness 
of  God  without  danger,  in  the  way  that  God  shall 
choose,  and  not  man?    Or  for  judgment  to  come  forth 

>  into  the  open  places,  where  wickedness  is  most  acted? 
Or  for  the  lively  witness  of  the  Lamb  to  arise  against 

!  his  enemy,  in  the  good  old  way  that  he  hath  chosen  to 

I  all  generations? 

'  Ah!  how  are  the  ancient  paths  forsaken  of  men? 
How  have  you  left  the  good  old  way  of  God,  and  cho- 
sen ways  of  your  own  against  your  own  souls?  How 

.  long  will  it  be  e're  you  try  your  ways  with  the  truth, 
that  you  may  return  to  him  who  is  come  to  require  the 

,  paths  of  judgment,  and  righteousness  and  truth,  that 
the  meek  may  possess  his  inheritance  of  old,  and  that 
God  may  walk  in  his  own  seed,  as  he  hath  said,  I  will 
dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in  them;  who  comes  as  the 

I  lightning. 

Behold,  you  who  are  crying  against  new  ways,  you 
say,  it  was  never  well  since  there  were  so  many  new 
ways;  you  are  the  men,  and  your  ways  are  the  thing 
I  *  you  complain  of,  and  why  there  are  so  many  of  your 
ways  js,  because  Babel  is  confounded,  and  many  heads 
and  horns  are  lifted  up,  to  fulfil  that  number,  as  it  is 
written  of  them,  to  withstand  the  way  of  the  Lamb, 
and  to  fight  against  God's  appearance  in  his  heritage; 
I    who  all  are  set  against  the  way  of  God  as  at  this  day, 
'    which  is  but  one  to  all  generations.    Was  not  this 
i   his  way  of  old,  which  is  now  rejected,  and  which  is 
'   become  so  odious  in  your  eyes?    Was  not  this  of  old 
1    the  pure  path,  which  you  now  say  breaks  your  peace  ? 
Search  the  scriptures,  which  testify  of  God  and  his 
way  in  his  servants  of  old,  and  how  he  then  passed 
I    in  his  redeemed  ones,  chosen  vessels  for  himself,  to 
make  his  power  known  against  opposers:  as  you  m.av 

59 


(  466  ) 


read  in  the  scriptures;  trace  the  steps  of  his  servants 
in  whom  he  walked,  and  see  how  far  you  have  erred 
at  this  day. 

Was  not  this  his  way  in  Jeremiah,  who  led  him  in- 
to the  gates  of  Jerusalem,  and  through  the  streetsthere- 
of,  through  him  declaring  against  sin  there  abounding, 
and  to  pronounce  judgment  to  follow: did  not  he  lead 
him  into  their  temple,  and  therein  told  them  who  went 
thither  to  worship,  that  they  trusted  in  a  lie,  who  cried 
the  temple  of  the  Lord,  but  had  made  it  a  den  of 
thieves  by  their  wicked  ways?  Did  not  he  lead  him 
down  to  the  house  of  the  king,  and  there  told  him, 
that  if  he  would  not  amend  his  ways,  his  house  should 
become  a  desolation?  And  which  of  the  false  proph- 
ets did  he  not  reprove  openly  by  him?  Was  not  this 
his  way  then?  And  what  became  of  them  that 
would  have  stopped  him?  Did  not  he  speak  words 
in  Amos  against  the  wickedness  of  their  king,  priests 
and  worships,  that  the  land  was  not  able  to  bear? 
Did  not  he  lead  Jonah  through  the  streets  of  Nineveh? 
And  in  which  of  the  prophets  did  not  he  thus  walk 
in,  and  some  received  him  in  his  way,  and  turned  from 
tHeir  own  ways,  and  found  mercy;  and  the  rest  that 
rejected  him,  were  destroyed  in  their  own  ways,  in 
which  they  blessed  themselves,  as  at  this  day. 

Now  read  these,  and  read  what  you  now  oppose  in 
your  streets  and  steeple-houses,  and  markets,  and  let 
that  of  God  in  you  be  judge,  if  you  be  not  of  sufih  as 
now  say,  depart  from  us,  we  will  have  none  of.  thy 
ways.  Also,  search  your  gospel,  if  you  can  receive 
his  way  therein,  which  changes  not;  did  not  he  come 
in  Christ,  and  in  his  apostles,  as  a  wanderer  to  and  fro, 
without  a  certain  dwelling  place,  to  preach  repentance 
and  amendment  of  life,  and  the  light  of  the  world, 
from  city  to  village,  from  place  to  place;  which  way 
you  now  call  vagabonds?  And  did  not  he  enter  their 
temples  and  synagogues,  schools  and  markets,  and  all 
their  places  of  worship  and  concourse,  where  sin  or 
false  worship  were  acted,  and  there  disputed,  and 
testified  against  their  whole  way,  and  called  them  to 


(  467  ) 


the  way  of  God.  And  this  was  his  manner  of  walk- 
ing in  them,  even  in  times  of  their  worships,  and  in 
the  greatest  assembly  of  meetings  and  markets,  which 
to  you  is  become  as  gall  and  wormwood,  and  you  call 
it  disturbance  and  peace-breaking. 

Was  not  this  his  way  in  such  as  knew  their  bodies 
to  be  his  temples,  and  in  whom  he  walked,  and  spoke 
the  words  of  life,  and  judgment,  and  truth ;  his  way,  by 
which  he  overturned  the  world,  leaving  all  without 
excuse  against  the  day  of  wrath,  which  was  to  follow 
where  he  was  rejected;  his  way  by  which  he  called 
many  thousands  out  of  false  worships,  in  which  they 
were  settled  (as  you  are)  and  their  souls  deceived : 
but  this  was  his  way  to  salvation,  which  was  not  their 
way  (as  he  hath  said,  my  ways  are  not  your  ways) 
yet  was  there  no  other  way  for  them  to  be  saved  j 
which  is  the  same  at  this  day  to  all  that  receive  his 
coming,  and  to  all  that  resist  the  holy  spirit  in  histem- 
"ples;  as  did  your  fathers  so  do  you,  saith  Stephen, 
to  such  as  worshipped  God  in  outward  observations, 
but  denied  his  way  and  worship  in  temples  made  with- 
out hands:  these  resisted  the  spirit  that  spoke  in  his 
saints,  these  resisted  the  holy  ghost,  resisted  the  way 
of  God,  as  you  do:  read  and  consider,  Stephen  was 
full  of  God, the  spirit  spoke  in  him;  they  resisted  him, 
they  called  him  a  blasphemer,  they  stoned  him  by  a 
law:  here  was  God's  way  and  their  way;  now  try 
your  ways,  whose  work  is  to  resist  the  spirit  and  light 
within,  which  hath  filled  the  hearts  and  mouths  of  his 
servants  to  cry  against  sin.    Mind  what  you  resist. 

Had  not  God  come  in  this  his  own  way,  to  seek 
and  to  save  by  his  appearance  in  such  vessels,  as  he 
had  prepared  of  old  for  that  end,  whom  in  time  he 
filled  with  himself,  as  they  stood  in  need,  in  all  condi- 
tions to  pass  with  him  through  all  hardships  and 
crooked  ways  of  the  wicked  world,  from  place  to  place 
seeking  a  seed  to  himself,  what  had  become  of  the 
saints  of  old,  which  were  covered  with  darkness,  till 
he  came  thus  to  appear  to  them,  holding  forth  his  light, 
and  his  life  and  glory  in  vessels  prepared,  to  show 


(  468  ) 


forth  his  virtues,  and  the  riches  of  his  grace,  not  only 
in  declaring  in  words,  but  also  in  power,  to  suffer  for 
his  name  long  and  hard  trials,  with  ir.uch  patience  and  ^ 
meekness,  in  all  which  they  became  signs  to  the  world, 
and  lively  witnesses  of  God  to  his  own  in  every  con- 
science, whereby  the  seed  of  God  in  many  gathered 
strength,  to  arise  out  of  darkness  and  come  to  judg- 
ment, and  by  their  sufferings  waxed  confident  in  the 
faith,  that  it  was  the  eternal  God  that  they  had  seen 
preached,  and  that  was  in  them  who  thus  suffered,  and 
did  not  receive  their  w^ords  as  the  w^ords  of  men,  but 
of  God,  who  was  with  them,  and  in  them  in  all.  And 
this  his  way  was  not  only  to  receive  such  as  came  to 
him,  but  with  danger  of  life  went  into  their  assemblies 
and  public  places,  to  bring  them  out  of  the  claw  s  of  the 
devil,  who  beat  some  in  their  synagogues,  hauled  some 
before  rulers,  cast  some  into  prison,  who  suffered  great 
afflictions  to  bring  souls  from  under  this  dark  power, 
and  in  all  this  God  was  afflicted  with  them,  and  by  his 
own  spirit  brought  them  out.  And  this  was  his  way 
of  ransoming  and  redeeming,  and  of  bringing  to  Sion, 
as  you  may  read  of  old;  and  thus  by  his  spirit,  and 
by  his  working  in  them,  did  he  work  wonders  and 
signs,  and  was  a  witness  agianst  the  whole  body  of 
sin,  overturning  false  ways  and  worships  by  a  way 
they  knew  not,  nor  did  the  world  know  it  was  he,  un- 
til he  had  brought  to  pass  his  work  upon  them,  having  ' 
thus  gathered  out  his  seed  from  amongst  them,  who 
then  sought  to  stop  his  way,  as  j^ou  do  at  this  day,  but 
what  was  their  end? 

And  in  this  way  were  the  churches  of  Christ  gath- 
ered, even  by  blood  and  sufferings,  and  tumults,  and 
beatings,  and  mockings,  and  whippings,  and  all  man- 
ner of  cruel  usage,  fighting  with  beasts  after  the  man- 
ner of  men,  and  by  the  patient  sufferings  of  Christ,  in 
them  were  many  recovered  out  of  the  snares  of  the 
devil ;  which,  had  he  not  sought  them  in  this  way,  they 
had  lived  and  died  in  blindness.  And  this  was  the 
wa>  \n  which  God  gathered  the  churches  (which  you 
who  oppose  this  way  would  imitate)  and  in  this  way 


# 


(   469  ) 


was  the  mystery  of  godliness  and  the  mystery  of  ini- 
quity revealed,  and  the  kingdom  of  Christ  known  upon 
earth,  and  in  this  way  came  tlie  scriptures  of  the  apos- 
tles and  prophets,  of  which  you  talk,  and  would  turn 
to  oppose  this  way;  like  them  who  read  his  coming  in 
the  prophets,  and  would  have  stopped  his  coming  in 
Christ  and  the  apostles:  so  do  you  ever  resist  the  way 
of  the  Holy  One,  and  yet  in  words  you  pray  for  his  com- 
ing; but  having  erred  in  your  hearts  from  that  light 
which  should  give  the  knowledge  of  him,  you  know 
not  his  ways,  but  have  in  your  imaginations  set  a  new 
way  for  his  appearance,  every  one  in  his  own  form; 
but  all  think  you  are  doing  him  service,  to  stop  his  old 
way  by  force. 

Ah,  foolish  people  (and  full  of  wit)  will  you  call  on 
him  to  come  to  judgment,  and  stop  his  way  with  cru- 
elty? Is  not  the  day  of  the  Lord  darkness  to  you  who 
deny  the  light?  God's  ways  are  not  yours,  nor  his 
thoughts  yours,  who  are  vain  therein;  will  you  hedge 
up  his  way  against  him?  Will  you  set  briars  and 
thorns  before  him?  And  shall  not  the  light  of  Israel 
kindle  a  fire  amongst  you?  Shall  not  he  go  through 
and  tread  you  down,  and  tear  you  as  a  lion,  from  whom 
none  shall  deliver? 

Was  it  not  thus  with  Israel,  when  they  builded  tem- 
ples and  increased  their  altars,  and  multiplied  their 
sacrifices?  And  what  was  the  end,  was  it  not  all  to 
sin?  for  thereby  they  strengthened  themselves  against 
the  way  of  the  Lord  in  his  prophets,  and  blessed  them- 
selves in  their  worships,  and  said  no  evil  should  come 
upon  them,  for  they  made  many  prayers,  but  their 
hands  were  full  of  blood,  for  the  best  of  them  were  be- 
come as  a  briar  in  the  way  of  the  innocent,  and  the 
most  upright  as  a  thorn  hedge  in  the  way  of  his  ser- 
vants, in  whom  he  appeared  against  their  backsliding, 
evils,  and  false  worships,  but  they  were  not  so  to  their 
own  teachers;  for  them  they  fed  fat,  and  gave  gifts, 
rewards  and  hire  to  them.  So  having  got  prophets  of 
their  own  in  their  way,  then  they  joined  together,  and 
one  cried  peace  to  another,  and  when  God  came  t© 


(  470  ) 


break  that  peace  iii  his  way,  and  to  tell  them  it  was 
not  his  peace;  then  they  ail  joined  to  hedge  him  out, 
and  made  a  waiJ  against  him  of  their  own  righteous- 
ness, which  they  daubed  up  with  their  increase  of  sac- 
rifices and  false  worships:  so  they  said  they  were  in- 
nocent people,  said  so,  and  priest,  and  prophets,  and 
rulers  said  so;  for  they  had  trimmed  their  own  ways, 
so  they  said  they  should  have  peace,  and  he  that  told 
them  truth  then  became  their  troubler.  So  having 
covered  tiiemselves  with  this  garment,  they  could  shed 
^  innocent  blood  boldly,  which  was  found  in  the  skirts 
thereof  not  by  secret  search ;  and  what  became  of  all 
this?  Did  their  own  ways  save  them  in  the  end?— • 
Did  not  innocent  blood  outcry  the  multitude  of  their 
altars,  till  there  was  no  remedy?  So  he  became  their 
enemy  whom  they  called  their  redeemer. 

So  now  read  your  ways  at  this  day,  and  measure 
them  in  truth,  and  see  what  it  is  you  are  hedging  out, 
who  it  is,  and  what  his  message  is  against,  and  what  is 
his  manner  of  coming,  and  your  manner  of  opposing; 
that  so,  if  it  were  possible,  you  might  come  to  see  a 
glimpse  of  the  old  way,  and  of  your  own  work:  Is  it 
not  he  that  comes  to  cry  out  against  that  which  is 
wicked  in  your  streets,  and  false  in  your  worships, 
who  is  become  your  enemy,  and  breaks  your  peace, 
whom  your  hedge  cannot  stop,  nor  your  wall  keep  out? 
How  many  briars  and  thorns  are  set  against  him  at^ 
this  day,  to  take  hold  of  him,  if  he  do  but  open  his 
mouth  in  your  streets?  What  laws  new  and  old  there 
are,  to  make  him  an  offender  for  a  word  in  your  tem- 
ples, how  is  he  beat  in  your  synagogues,  hauled  before 
rulers,  and  cast  into  prisons?  How  are  the  scriptures 
fulfilled  upon  you,  and  his  witness  doubled  against  you 
manifold  over,  above  all  your  forefathers,  of  whom 
you  read ;  and  yet  you  say  you  are  innocent,  you  are 
no  persecutors;  but  for  liberty  of  conscience;  they 
were  persecutors  that  so  used  him  in  the  prophets  and 
in  the  apostles,  and  in  queen  Mary's  days,  that  so  used 
the  Martyrs,  &c.    But  ye  cannot  see  your  work  of  the 
same  nature,  and  as  if  queen  Mary's  laws  were  not 


(  471  ) 


sufficient  for  you  to  accomplisli  your  ends,  with  many 
additions  thereto,  are  you  in  much  fury  driving  on  to 
destruction,  yet  having  trimmed  your  own  way,  you 
say,  we  are  Christians,  and  have  a  gospel-ministry  of 
godly  men.  &;c.  But  what  Christians?  Did  ever  Chris- 
tians count  it  a  breach  of  their  peace,  to  reprove  sin  in 
the  gate,  or  where-ever  it  is  committed  ?  Did  Christians 
ever  cast  into  prison,  or  count  it  disorder  to  dispute  ia 
their  synagogues  in  the  time  of  their  worship?  Did 
they  ever  make  a  law  to  whip  strangers,  who  ask  them 
nought;  or  to  force  people  to  swear  against  their  con- 
science? And  many  such  things  are  now  done,  whick 
in  the  time  of  the  apostles,  the  Heathen  came  far  short 
of,  which  now  are  filling  up  against  him,  whose  com- 
ing is  ever  as  a  stranger  in  the  earth, and  what  hedging* 
here  is  at  this  day,  to  keep  him  out  from  his  own.  is 
plainly  to  be  seen,  and  that  he  should  not  have  liberty 
to  seek  up  his  lost  ones  in  high  ways,  and  hedges, 
markets  and  steeple-houses;  how  have  you  heighten- 
ed your  walls  higher  than  your  forefathers?  And  what 
daubing  is  at  this  day  against  the  way  of  God,  from 
which  your  own  ways  cannot  save  you:  for  the  way 
of  God  is  perfect,  and  will  endure  to  all  generations^ 
wherein  the  upright  walk,  and  sinners  fall  in  opposi- 
tion thereto. 

But  how  should  you  know  his  way,  who  deny  his 
light  wdthin,  seeing  they  that  rebel  against  the  light, 
never  knew  the  paths  thereof ;  you  are  they  who  have 
erred  in  your  hearts,  and  therefore  have  not  known  his 
ways,  and  how  should  you  have  peace,  or  enter  into 
his  rest;  for  you  that  deny  his  light,  and  resist  his 
spirit  in  your  hearts,  must  needs  be  offended  at  his 
eoming  in  your  streets:  So  you  have  set  yourselves  a- 
gainst  him,  and  he  hath  set  himself  against  you,  as  at 
this  day;  and  therefore  it  is  not  with  you  now,  as  it 
was  when  you  were  in  the  work  of  making  him  way  to 
walk  in  tender  consciences;  and  you  will  find  him  a- 
rise  more  to  cross  your  ways,  as  you  seek  to  stop  his 
way.  You  have  begun  to  walk  contrary  to  him,  and 
he  is  beginning  to  walk  contrary  to  you :  and  unto  you 


(  472  )  ^ 

is  he  become  an  enemy.  So  take  heed  what  you  do, 
for  till  you  return  he  will  watch  over  you  for  evil,  and 
not  for  good:  and  the  more  you  trim  your  own  ways, 
to  withstand  his  way,  the  more  will  he  discover  the 
blood  of  the  innocent  in  your  skirts  before  the  sun,  till 
all  may  see  you  are  no  Christians,  nor  what  you  pro- 
fess, but  open  enemies  to  God  and  his  people,  and 
your  hands  full  of  blood. 

Wherefore  be  not  rash,  you  heady  people,  you  that 
are  but  looking  for  his  coming  in  outward  observations, 
are  witnesses  against  yourselves,  that  his  way  you 
have  not  yet  learned;  though  you  have  read  of  it,  yet 
you  know  it  not,  and  will  you  appoint  him  a  way,  and 
call  it  his  way,  and  will  he  own  itj  who  comes  in  a  way 
you  have  not  known,  nor  can  believe  if  you  be  told  it. 
It  would  be  your  wisdom  to  stand  still  every  one,  and 
cease  from  your  own  ways,  and  wait  in  the  light, 
which  only  gives  the  knowledge  of  him,  and  his  way; 
which  light  shines  in  the  heart,  as  saith  the  scriptures, 
and  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you,  and  he  whom 
you  oppose  is  a  spirit,  and  comes  in  a  spiritual  way,  to 
cut  down  spiritual  wickedness.  So  to  the  spirit  of  light 
turn,  that  you  may  see  to  prepare  to  meet  him  in  his 
own  way,  and  not  set  your  way  to  oppose  him,  that  hp 
should  break  you  to  pieces. 


THE  LIVING  GOD  GLORIFIED  IN  HIS  TEMPLES,  THE  TRUE  WOR 
SHIPPERS,  THAT  WORSHIH  HIM  IN  SPIRIT   AND  IN  TRUTH. 

^  Now  glory  to  God  in  Heaven!  Thousands  of  his 
saints  do  confess  him  upon  earth,  who  bear  his  name 
and  testimony  against  the  world,  who  have  still  put  his 
coming  afar  off,  who  have  not  that  which  they  profess 
in  them,  but  tell  of  great  things  which  they  have  not, 
who  are  without  God  in  spirit,  and  his  worship  in  spir- 
it, such  as  Christ  said,  worshipped  they  knew  not  what, 


(  473  ) 


who  worship  that  they  have  not,  and  profess  him  they 
possess  not;  without  God  in  the  world,  in  whose  heart 
there  is  not  God,  who  are  not  the  temples  of  the  liv- 
ing God,  but  to  this  day  worship  in  temples  made 
with  hands,  as  those  who  resisted  the  holy  ghost 
ever  did;  and  how  should  such  be  holy  vessels,  holy 
men  and  women:  What  should  sanctify  where  God 
is  not?  And  wiiat  should  lead  where  the  spirit  is  not, 
but  the  blind  guide  that  leads  into  the  ditch?  And 
what  is  like  to  govern,  where  God  is  not  in  his  throne 
in  the  heart?  How  can  such  but  be  filled  with  unright- 
eousness, who  retain  not  God  in  their  knowledge:  so 
it  is  not  strange  to  the  children  of  light,  who  with 
the  light  of  God  are  guided,  to  see  such  things  acted 
against  God  in  his  temples  now,  by  such  as  are  with- 
out God,  as  ever  was.  So  the  scriptures  are  fulfilled, 
as  you  may  read. 

And,  ye  holy  in  heart,  rejoice,  and  lift  up  your  heads 
towards  the  day  of  redemption,  and  own  your  genera- 
tion here  on  earth,  that  you  may  be  gathered  to  the 
fathers  with  that  which  comes  from  above,  and  that 
spirit  which  perfects  the  just,  and  casts  out  the  unjust, 
where  are  the  dogs  and  adulterers,  and  such  as  kn(W 
not  God,  and  where  the  hearts  are  gathered  to  the 
fathers  in  God,  there  the  earth  is  blessed,  whose  God 
is  the  Lord,  who  have  received  the  spirit  from  on  high, 
and  are  filled  with  the  holy  ghost,  as  Stephen  was, 
who  saw  Heaven  open,  who  was  full  of  the  holy  ghost, 
whom  the  great  professors  stoned,  who  were  full  of 
wrath,  and  yet  said  they  looked  for  Christ's  coming 
from  scripture;  yet  like  madmen  run  upon  him  and 
destroyed  him;  su  he  destroyed  their  temple  which 
they  thought  to  uphold,  who  resisted  God  and  the  holy 
ghost, because  he  had  no  place  in  them,  who  could  not 
receive  the  light  of  the  world,  nor  his  word  could  find 
place  in  them;  but  in  such  as  they  cast  out  it  found 
place,  whose  bodies  were  the  temples  of  the  living 
God,  as  he  hath  said,  I  will  dwell  in  them  and  walk  in 
them,  and  Enoch  walked  within,  with  God  in  spirit, 
and  was  not;  and  I&aiah,  God  had  wrought  all 

60 


(  474  ) 


works  m  liim ;  and  Jeremiah  was  full  of  the  fury  of  the 
Lord,  and  Ezekiel  was  the  son  of  man;  and  Daniel 
had  the  spirit  of  the  most  high  God,  the  spirit  of  light 
and  understanding;  and  Paul  had  the  son  of  God  re- 
vealed in  him,  the  same  that  he  preached,  and  said, 
they  that  knew  not  Christ  in  them  were  reprobates,  and 
he  that  is  joined  to  the  Lord  is  one  spirit;  and  to  Da- 
vid the  Lord  said,  thou  art  my  son,  this  day  have  I  be- 
gotten thee;  and  David  declared  it,  and  the  saints 
were  begotten  of  God,  and  made  partakers  of  the  di- 
vine nature,  and  confessed  the  father  and  the  son  in 
them,  and  that  the  son  of  God  was  come,  and  had  giv- 
en them  an  understanding,  which  they  that  looked  for 
him  to  come  without  understood  not,  who  beat  him  in 
their  synagogues,  and  shamefully  intreated  him,  be- 
cause they  knew  not  the  father  nor  the  son,  but  said  he 
was  to  come.  And  they  that  had  the  son,  had  life, 
and  the  rest  were  children  of  wrath,  ftlled  with  wrath; 
and  so  the  father  and  the  son  supped  with  such  as  had 
them,  and  the  Lord  was  at  their  table,  and  they  fed 
with  him  in  his  sufferings;  and  the  rest  made  a  large 
profession  of  him,  but  fed  at  the  table  of  devils;  and 
these  grew  great  in  violence,  and  strong  to  devour  and 
shed  blood,  but  the  other  excelled  in  meekness,  and 
patient  in  suffering;  and  here  were  they  separated  in- 
to life,  and  death  never  like  to  meet  more. 

And  here  now  may  all  read  the  worship  in  spirit,  in 
such  as  knowG')d  in  spirit,  and  the  worship  in  the  let- 
ter, in  them  that  have  not  God,  and  know  not  what 
they  worship:  and  these  know  not  what  they  do,  who 
know  not  what  they  worship;  and  the  son  of  God 
saith,  father,  forgive  them,  they  know  not  what  they 
do,  who  saith,  they  worship  they  know  not  what,  who 
.worship  not  in  spirit,  who  worship  in  their  thoughts  of 
'God,  but  not  the  spirit  of  God  in  possession  and  knowl- 
edge, who  think  they  do  God  service  to  kill  and  destroy 
the  temple  of  God,  because  they  know  not  him  in  them- 
selves that  is  worshipped  therein,  as  Christ  hath  fore- 
told, and  must  be  fulfilled  at  the  coming  of  the  holy 
ghost;  And  when  God  descends  from  Heaven  to  walk 


(   475  ) 


on  earth  in  his  temple,  and  to  require  his  worship  to 
himself,  out  of  all  sects  and  traditions.  This  is  his  en- 
tertainment from  all  that  look  for  him  in  observations, 
whose  coming  is  within,  and  his  kingdom  is  within  you. 

And  now  to  yon  he  is  come,  of  whom  you  have  been 
long  talknig,  and  in  that  way  he  appears  among  you 
of  which  you  are  preaching.  The  Jews  had  but  the 
prophecies  and  shadows  to  know  him  by  reading  with- 
out them,  hilt  you  read  and  preached  in  words  of  the 
lively  pattern  in  spirit,  and  have  heard  of  the  same 
life  and  testimony,  which  now  he  bears  against  you  in 
his  servants:  and  when  he  comes  you  cannot  receive 
him  who  suffers  the  same  things  among  you.  O  Eng- 
land! How  wilt  thou  stand  in  judgment?  What  wilt 
thou  plead  for  thyself,  when  he  arises  to  judgment, 
whose  testimony  against  thee  is  drawing  to  an  end? 
What  will  be  thy  excuse;  and  who  wilt  thou  say  thou 
tookest  him  to  be,  who  now  endures  such  contradiction 
against  himself,  such  hauling,  beatings,  scourgings,  and 
mockings,  and  banishings.  iuiprisonings  and  death, 
without  resisting;  hast  not  thou  heard  of  him  before 
he  came,  that  thou  mighrest  have  known  in  this  thy 
day  the  things  of  thy  peace?  Hast  thou  not  read 
of  him  that  is  sent  to  seek  his  lost  in  temples  and  syna- 
gogues, in  markets  and  where  the  greatest  of  the  peo- 
ple be;  In  which  manner  he  now  appears,  and  being 
refused  of  the  rich,  gathers  the  poor  in  the  high-ways 
and  hedges,  and  yet  hath  no  where  to  lay  his  own 
head:  hast  thou  not  heard  of  the  everlasting  way  of  his 
walkings  in  prophets  and  apostles,  and  his  pilgrimage 
in  their  bodies  upon  earth,  who  was  ever  a  stranger  in 
the  world  at  his  coming  from  Heaven?  \Vhai  spirit 
wilt  thou  say  this  is  which  hath  conformed  so  many  at 
this  day,  who  were  amongst  you  like  wolves,  to  devour 
others,  now  to  suffer  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  and 
torturings  of  their  bodies,  and  taking  away  their  lives 
without  seeking  the  least  revenge-  Wilt  thou  at  that 
day  say,  thou  had'st  thought  it  had  been  the  spirit  of 
the  devil,  as  many  of  you  now  do,  though  in  your  con- 
sciences otherwise  convinced. 


(  476  ) 


Alas  for  thee,  how  art  thou  wept  over  at  this  d'dji 
And  what  a  lamentable  sorrow  have  many  of  the 
Lord's  servants  for  thee,  whom  thou  hast  cast  in  holes 
and  prisons  for  their  obedience  to  God,  and  testimony 
of  their  conscience  towards  God  in  them,  whose  pa- 
tient sufferings  under  unparalleled  cruelties,  are  no 
more  valued  with  thee  than  if  they  were  dogs?  And 
this  hath  gone  throughout  thee,  from  the  least  to  the 
greatest,  till  there  be  very  few  left  which  are  not  whol- 
ly hardened,  so  that  to  hear  of  these  evil  dealings, 
exercised  upon  the  innocent  do  no  more  enter  your 
hearts  than  the  rain  enters  a  rock :  wherefore  our  souls 
are  troubled  for  you,  and  our  hopes  concerning  your 
healing  grow  daily  less,  and  our  sufferings  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  daily  greater,  hasting  to  the  full,  and  what  will 
you  do  in  the  end  thereof?  Or,  whom  shall  we  take 
to  witness  for  you?  Or,  may  you  be  compared  with 
any  that  ever  hardened  themselves  iu  these  ways,  and 
escaped  destruction,  that  our  hopes  might  revive  and 
our  prayers  not  cease?  Did  ever  any  thus  deny  the 
life  of  what  you  preach  in  words  yourselves,  and  which 
some  of  you  have  in  measure  felt  and  suffered  for,  and 
have  been  answered  in  by  th€  Lord,  and  your  eyes 
have  seen  the  vengeance  of  the  Almighty,  and  how 
dreadful  it  hath  been  both  upon  kings,  priests  and  ru- 
lers for  resisting?  Ah!  How  much  better  had  it  been 
for  you  never  to  have  known  these  things,  which  yoa 
have  seen,  read  and  preached,  than  now  that  they 
should  be  fulfilled  upon  you  to  the  uttermost?  How 
well  had  it  been  for  you,  had  you  been  as  those  you 
call  heathens,  rather  than  to  profess  Christ,  and  thus 
act  against  him  at  his  coming,  even  in  the  same  way 
yourselves  preach  him? 

Alas!  alas!  What  hath  the  innocent  done,  why  he 
is  thus  used  among  you?  Doth  he  cry  against  sin, 
against  pride,  against  false  worships,  against  corrupt 
ruiers,  corrupt  teachers,  corrupt  lawyers,  &c.  And 
with  much  meekness  bears  his  witness  against  these 
evils  in  you,  for  a  testimony  of  light  in  your  words^ 
whom  he  hath  lifted  up  in  wrath,  and  zeal,  and  judg^ 


(  477  ) 


ment  against  the  same  things  in  the  persons  of  others? 
And  will  not  this  arise  against  you  of  which  you  are 
witnesses  all  in  one  gener;uion?    But  say'st  thou  he 
breaks  the  peace,  and  breaks  our  law,  and  is  unman- 
nerly,  &c.    But  was  he  not  ever  so  accounted,  and  is 
he  not  now  in  the  same  way  he  ever  walked?  What 
would  that  peace  do  for  you  [could  you  keep  it  whole] 
Avhich  is  broken  by  reproving  sin  and  deceit?   Is  there 
any  peace  to  the  wicked  from  God?  And  will  he  keep 
that  law  which  will  not  give  him  ]il)erty  to  reign  in  his 
temples,  and  to  lead  his  people  by  his  spirit?    Or  will 
you  plead  that  law  against  him  in  judgment  when  he 
comes  to  deal  with  you,  who  should  know  his  law- 
written  in  your  hearts  to  limit  you,  and  not  your  laws 
to  limit  him,  nor  your  manners  must  not  bind  the  con- 
science where  he  is  known  to  be  king?    And  this  yon 
know  is  truth,  and  have  pleaded  it  against  others,  and 
now  cannot  own  it;  will  the  laws  of  Christ  and  man- 
Ders  of  Christ,  of  which  you  read  in  scripture,  agree 
with  your  government  and  peace,  wdio  calls  for  his 
kingdom  to  come  amongst  you,  and  profess  to  rule  ac- 
cording to  scriptures?    How  will  this  stand  at  that 
day  when  you  must  not  be  your  own  judges,  nor  by 
yeur  own  laws?    And  why  is  he  counted  your  enemy, 
seeing  his  appearance  now  is  in  love,  to  give  you  light 
out  of  this,  for  your  eternal  salvation,  against  which 
he  will  certainly  come  in  judgment  to  condemnation? 
Have  you  not  heard  of  the  love  of  the  father  to  the 
world,  who  sent  his  son  to  lay  down  his  life  therein 
for  a  light  to  the  world,  that  whosoever  believeth 
therein  might  not  be  condemned?    Can  you  read  and 
confess  this  life  laid  down  in  the  prophets,  in  Christ,  in 
the  apostles,  in  the  martyrs,  and  in  all  in  whom  this 
righteous  blood  hath  been  shed  from  Abel  to  your 
time ;  and  can  you  not  say  they  were  blind  priests,  and 
people  who  could  not  see  this  innocent  sufferer  in  his 
several  appearances?    And  what  will  you  say  of 
yourselves,  seeing  the  same  testimony  is  before  your 
eyes,  but  not  received?    Was  ever  his  sufferings  so 
increased  in  so  little  a  time,  and  for  such  little  foolish 


(   478  ) 


things,  as  yourselves  call  them,  which  though  they 
seem  little,  yet  much  innocent  blood  hath  been  shed, 
and  this  life  is  laid  down  daily  in  many?  And  why 
should  you  Count  that  so  little,  which  your  brethren 
count  dearer  than  their  precious  life?  Is  there  any 
thing  makes  it  so  but  the  tenderness  of  the  one,  and 
hardness  of  the  other?  But  say  you,  they  are  guilty 
of  their  own  blood  to  suffer  for  such  foolish  things,  but 
wha  is  their  executioners?  Do  not  you  suffer  fools 
daily,  they  shnll  witness  against  you,  that  there  is 
something  in  it  more  than  folly:  Have  you  not  read, 
"that  God  chooseth  the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to 
confound  the  wise,  and  base  despised  things  to  bring 
to  nought  things  that  are,  and  weak  things  to  confound 
the  mighty:"  And  can  you  read  and  preach  this  and 
not  see  it  fulfilled,  nor  understand  without  a  meaning: 
Then  take  heed  how  you  call  that  foolish  which  God 
hath  chosen  for  a  witness  against  the  murderer  in  the 
wise  men  of  the  world:  Will  you  call  that  foolishness, 
whereby  the  mysteries  of  God  come  to  be  manifest, 
and  that  which  he  hath  chosen  to  declare  himself  in 
openly  in  his  temples  and  his  worship,  his  service,  and 
his  suffering  long  in  meekness,  and  the  devil  in  his  tem- 
ples, with  his  servants,  his  pride,  his  rashness  and  cru- 
elty, and  to  lay  each  open  to  the  simplest  heart  by 
their  fruits,  which  have  been  long  covered  with  wordsj^j; 
but  now  every  one  that  knows  a  wolf  from  a  lamb,  may 
see  and  cannot  be  deceived. 

Will  you  call  this  little  which  discovers  so  great 
a  depth  of  deceit  so  closely  hid,  and  open  the 
painted  sepulchres,and  searchesthe  heart  of  the  deceit- 
ful, laying  it  open  to  yourselves  and  others,  which  else 
you  could  not  have  known  nor  believed  if  you  were  told 
it?  Could  many  of  you  have  believed  the  prince  of 
pride  had  ruled  in  you,  till  you  see  him  act  you  in  cru- 
elty on  your  brethren,  because  they  cannot  worship 
you?  Or  could  you  have  believed  that  the  murderer 
had  been  there,  till  you  proceeded  to  cast  into  prisons 
your  brethren,  and  keep  them  there  till  death  for  these 


(  479  ) 


little  things?  And  these  things  some  suffer  under 
you  for  d  witness,  and  the  rest  are  spared  [though 
that  spirit  would  have  none  to  live]  that  the  scriptures 
may  be  fulhlled,  satan  shall  cast  some  of  you  into 
prison,  &c.  And  are  not  these  things  manifestly  laid 
open  to  yourselves,  and  all  that  are  not  willingly  blind, 
and  also  the  contrary  spirit  of  Christ  Jesus  where 
these  things  are  patiently  endured?    And  will  you 

!1  this  foolishness,  which  thus  leaves  all  the  world 
vn  ithout  excuse,  and  prepares  all  for  righteous  judg- 
ment? Many  had  little  thought  these  little  things 
should  have  opened  such  great  secrets,  or  this  folly 
have  confounded  such  wisdom,  when  a  subtle  spirit 
liath  been  some  years  getting  knowledge,  and  words, 
and  religion  to  make  himself  fair  without,  that  others 
may  believe  him  to  be  a  suffering  saint,  and  one  of 
these  little  things  arises  in  his  way,  which  discovers 
him  to  be  a  devouring  wolf  in  a  moment;  may  not  the 
wise  then  truly  say,  the  weakness  of  God  is  greater 
than  the  wisdom  of  men;  and  God  hath  chosen  fool- 
ish things  to  confound  the  wise. 

And  now  the  scripture  is  fulfilled  to  your  face  wdie- 
ther  you  [seeing]  can  perceive  or  no,  and  the  rock  of 
offence  is  laid,  and  the  stone  of  stumbling  though  he 
be  refused;  and  he  is  come  whom  we  have  looked  for, 
in  thousands  of  his  saints,  and  the  head  over  his 
church,  and  his  body  or  church  he  is  preparing  daily, 
that  the  father's  w-ill  may  be  done  in  earth,  and  that 
he  may  take  vengeance  of  them  that  know  him  not, 
nor  will  receive  his  testimony,  who  will  not  believe 
his  light  that  now  shineth,  but  take  pleasure  in  unright- 
eousness, though  he  be  come  after  their  own  preach- 
ing, and  many  are  his  witnesses  at  this  day;  glory  to 
his  brightness,  and  let  the  son  arise  and  reign  forever, 
in  whom  alone  the  scriptures  are  now  fulhlling,  and 
the  builders  reject  him,  and  the  wicked  make  a  prey 
upon  him  where  he  turns  from  iniquity,  and  the  spoil- 
ing of  goods  is  suffered  joyfully,  and  the  havoc  is  made 
of  the  church,  and  he  is  taken  from  prison,  and  from 
judgment,  and  the  reproach  of  many  he  bears,  and 


(   480  ) 


the  back  is  given  to  the  smiter,  and  he  that  sues  af 
the  law  for  the  coat, may  take  the  cloak  also;  and  he 
that  would  have  the  hat,  take  the  head  and  body  also 
without  resisting;  and  prayers  and  tears  is  shed  for 
them  that  hate  and  despitelully  use  him,  and  goods 
are  taken  away  and  not  asked  again,  and  this  is  our 
beloved,  and  this  is  his  voice,  and  his  sheep  know  it, 
and  follow  him,  and  thus  it  is  written  of  him,  and  thus 
it  is  no.w  read,  and  glory  to  him  that  liveth  and  reign- 
eth  forever,  who  was,  and  is,  and  is  come . 


TO  THE  RANTERS. 

Woe  unto  you  ranters  of  all  sorts!  the  day  of  your 
%orment  approacheth,  your  cup  is  almost  full,  your  time 
draws  near  an  end,  you  are  fed,  you  are  grown  full  for 
the  slaughter,  your  swelling  is  reached  up  to  heaven, 
and  the  burthen  of  the  innocent  and  just  one  in  you 
cries  on  high;  above  all  people  you  have  dealt  evil 
with  the  Lord,  and  treacherously  betrayed  the  tender 
proffer  of  his  spirit,  you  have  murdered  the  babe  in 
the  womb,  and  he  hath  not  resisted,  but  intreated; 
how  many  gentle  reproofs  hath  he  visited  you  with? 
And  with  what  love  and  faithfulness  hath  he  followed 
you  from  one  of  your  evils  to  another,  calling  to  you 
in  secret,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  before  the  act 
of  your  wickedness,  in  the  act  of  it,  and  after  you  have 
done  it;  if  by  any  means  he  might  have  overtaken 
you  and  prevented  your  ruin,  and  won  you  again,  that 
he  might  have  done  you  good,  and  saved  you  from  the 
paths  of  the  destroyer,  all  which  is  written  where  it 
cannot  be  rooted  out  against  the  day  of  vengeance, 
although  you  have  done  what  you  can  to  stop  the 
itiouth  of  God's  witness  in  you,  and  to  stifle  the  just 


(  481  ) 


kast  he  should  reprove  you,  or  give  you  light  in  J'our 
dark  by-pnths,  wherein  you  have  walked  towards  the 
Lord,  as  wild  colts  and  fed  horses,  refusing  his  teach- 
ings or  corrections,  strengthening  one  another  against 
the  faithful  witness  of  truth  when  you  have  been 
wounded  therewith,  and  have  belied  the  Lord,  and 
said  it  is  not  he,  and  if  it  be  he  let  him  make  me 
better,  and  I  cannot  make  myself,  and  if  the  devil  be 
in  me  let  him  cast  him  out,  and  that  sin  and  rigteous* 
ness  is  all  one  to  God,  and  many  of  you  openly  deny- 
ing God,  and  much  more  such  blasphemies  out  of  you 
have  proceeded,  all  which  the  innocent  Lamb  hath 
borne  since  the  day  he  first  invited  you,  and  the  just 
Lord,  who  is  in  the  midst  of  you  hath  seen  it,  and  of 
you  he  will  take  revenge  for  the  innocent  ones  sake, 
whom  he  will  ease  of  his  enemy. 

Oh!  the  terrible  day  that  I  have  seen  approaching 
towards  you,  and  the  misery  that  is  coming  nigh,  when 
you  shall  be  dealt  withal,  as  you  have  done  against 
the  meek  and  holy  seed,  which  hath  stirred  in  you  unto 
life,  which  you  have  betrayed  and  murdered  for  your 
lusts,  treacherously  have  you  dealt,  and  treacherously 
will  you  be  dealt  withal;  then  shall  jou  know  that 
there  is  a  God  of  power  and  judginent,  when  you  shall 
be  as  a  mad  bull  in  a  net,  and  the  fire  of  God  under- 
neath you:  then  shall  you  choose  death,  and  it  shall 
fiee  from  you,  who  have  refused  the  way  of  life  and 
puft  at  it;  and  you  who  have  scorned  the  light  shall 
know  chains  of  darkness:  Ah!  how  have  you  mocked 
at  reproof,  the  Lord  hath  heard  your  light  answers, 
and  hath  borne  your  mockings,  and  you  have  made 
bim  to  serve  under  your  lusts,  he  is  oppressed  and 
grieved,  and  broken  with  your  whorish  hearts,  and 
you  have  made  heavy  the  burthen  of  the  meek  and 
lowly,  against  whom  you  have  sported,  and  have  not 
considered  that  all  this  is  against  your  own  souls,  and 
to  make  strong  bonds  for  your  own  necks,  which  yon 
must  know  and  feel  when  the  just  arises  to  plead  a- 
gainst  you  for  all  that  is  written  against  you;  veril)'. 
dread  is  upon  me  when  I  behold  your  end.  and  the  wav 

6.1 


(  482  ) 


you  have  to  go,  and  hdw  few  there  are  to  be  saved; 
alas  for  you,  how  have  you  heaped  deceit,  and  filled 
your  vessels  with  that  which  the  pure  God  abhors? 
You  have  eaten  and  drank  your  own  damnation  while 
you  have  served  your  lusts?  You  have  chosen  deceit 
rather  than  truth,  and  therewith  shall  you  be  deceived 
when  you  look  for  rest :  you  have  got  words,  and  sought 
out  cunning  ways  to  stop  the  way  of  judgment  in  you, 
therefore  is  your  cup  become  full  for  condemnation 
from  the  Lord  God  of  power,  you  are  filled  with  the 
names  of  blasphemy  against  the  most  high,  yea,  it  is 
written;  he  hath  marked  you  out,  he  hath  set  himself 
against  you,  and  while  you  are  building  a  wall  of  fals- 
hood,  is  he  preparing  destruction,  and  is  watching  over 
you  for  evil  and  not  for  good,  and  your  wall  you  have 
made  of  cunning  deceits  will  stand  betwixt  you  and 
salvation,  and  keep  you  from  finding  the  place  of  re- 
pentance. 

And  you  high-minded  professors  also,  who  have  got- 
ten the  wisdom  of  words,  and  have  preached  high 
things  of  God  and  Christ,  which  in  you  is  not  wrought 
nor  fulfilled,  but  is  a  lie:  this  will  be  required  at  your 
hands  with  truth,  and  your  own  words  shall  arise  a- 
gainst  you  in  judgment,  and  when  you  should  come  to 
him  that  should  answer  in  your  behalf,  your  wisddm 
and  knowledge,  which  you  have  got  in  that  nature 
which  hath  oppressed  him,  will  stand  in  your  way,  as 
thick  darkness,  which  you  cannot  remove  nor  pass; 
then  shall  you  curse  your  God,  who  hath  set  you  on 
preaching  words  above  life,  and  lies,  by  which  the  spir- 
it of  truth  in  you  and  others  have  suffered  and  been  de- 
nied, and  God's  witness  lies  waste,  and  hath  been  re- 
sisted in  its  gentle  calls,  motions  and  reproofs;  all 
which  by  a  just  hand  and  unresistable,  will  he  bring 
on  you  in  that  day  when  chains  of  darkness  hath  com- 
passed you  in  the  horrible  pit. 


DECEIT  DISCOVERED  BY  ITS  FRUITS. 


You  that  call  the  children  of  light  blasphemers,  and 
seducers,  and  many  evil  names  you  give  out  to  people 
against  them,  because  they  preach  Christ  the  light  of 
the  world,  and  Christ  for  righteousness  and  perfection, 
&c.  Hear  what  blasphemy,  and  seducing  and  deceiv- 
ing is,  and  who  are  the  deceivers. 

They  were  blasphemers  who  said  they  were  Jews 
and  were  not,  and  this  was  blasphemy  in  God's  ac- 
count, to  profess  in  words,  what  they  were  not  in  works, 
Rev.  2,  9.  And  they  were  blasphemers  who  said,  he 
that  wrought  the  works  of  righteousness  was  of  the 
devil,  Mark,  3.  22,  28,  29,  30.  And  James  said,  they 
blasphemed  that  holy  name  by  which  the  saints  were 
called,  who  drew  them  before  judgment  seats,  and  op- 
pressed them,  Jam.  2.  6,  7.  And  Saul  blasphemed  in 
persecuting  for  conscience  towards  Christ.  Now  this 
God  calls  blasphemy,  falsely  to  take  upon  them  the 
name  of  a  Jew,  seeing  the  Jews  were  to  be  a  holy  peo- 
ple to  the  Lord,  and  to  bear  his  holy  name  before  all 
the  world  in  righteousness  and  truth,  and  the  fruits  of 
his  spirit ;  which  name  they  who  had  not  the  life  did 
blaspheme,  by  taking  the  name  of  a  Jew.  And  Christ 
calls  it  blasphemy,  to  condemn  the  fruits  of  that 
spirit  to  be  of  the  devil.  And  the  apostles  call  it  blas- 
phemy, to  haul  before  the  judgu^ent  seats,  and  perse- 
cute the  poor  that  God  had  chosen  out  of  the  world. 
These  were  the  old  blasphemers  in  God's  account; 
and  their  children  be  in  the  same  steps  till  this  day, 
and  therein  the  truth  finds  them,  and  uncovers  them. 

So  come  to  your  rule,  and  be  tried  as  you  are  in 
de«<j,  and  not  in  words,  in  God's  account,  and  not  in 
your  own:  This  is  the  blasphemy,  to  say,  you  are 
Christians,  and  are  not;  to  say,  you  are  in  Christ,  and 
arc  not;  to  say,  you  are  of  God,  and  do  the  works  of 
the  devil,  that  old  miirderer  and  persecutor;  to  say, 
such  as  do  the  works  of  God  are  blasphemers,  and  to 


(  484  ) 


oppress  your  brethren  for  conscience  sake.  And  this^ 
blasphemy  exceeds  your  fathers,  by  how  much  the 
name  of  Christ  excels  the  name  of  a  Jew.  Will  you 
bring  forth  the  abominable  fruits  that  God  hates,  and 
cover  them  with  the  name  of  Christ,  and  father  them 
upon  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  say  you  are  in  Christ, 
and  redeemed,  and  baptised  into  him,  and  have  com- 
munion in  him,  and  get  up  likenesses  and  imitations 
from  the  letter  to  cover  you  with,  in  a  nature  contrary 
to  Christ;  and  is  not  this  the  height  of  deceit  and 
blasphemy? 

What  is  the  name  of  Christ,  and  the  redemption  of 
Christ,  the  death  of  Christ,  the  baptism  of  Christ,  the 
resurrection  of  Christ,  the  communion  of  Christ,  and 
the  words  of  Christ  become  a  cloak  for  the  works  of 
wickedness:  And  doth  not  this  blaspheme  his  name, 
his  words,  his  spirit,  his  ordinances,  and  his  people, 
and  all  his  holy  things,  and  cause  them  to  be  blas- 
phemed amongst  the  heathen,  and  thoughout  the  world. 
But  to  preach  Christ  the  light  of  the  world,  and  to 
confess  him  in  us,  so  far  as  we  feel  the  power  his  spirit 
taking  us  out  of  the  power  of  sin,  and  conforming  us 
to  himself,  and  to  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  his  spirit  in 
truth  and  righteousness;  this  doth  not  blaspheme,  but 
in  such  he  is  honoured,  who  show  forth  his  virtues  and 
walk  in  his  spirit,  such  exalt  his  name ;  this  was  PauPs 
work  when  he  had  left  off  to  blaspheme. 

Now  come  to  your  rule  and  be  tried,  it  tells  you  who 
are  Christ's,  and  who  are  antichrists,  deceivers,  and 
blasphemers,  and  they  are  known  by  their  works  and 
not  by  their  words;  it  saith,  "they  that  are  Christ's 
have  crucified  the  flesh  with  the  affections  and  lusts: 
and  if  Christ  be  in  you,  the  body  is  dead  because  of 
sin:  and  as  many  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ, 
have  put  on  Christ:  and  as  you  have  received  Christ 
Jesus,  so  walk  in  him:  and  he  that  saith  he  abideth  in 
him,  ought  himself  so  to  walk,  even  as  he  walked: 
and  ye  are  all  one  in  (yhrist  Jesus:  and  if  any  man  be 
in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature,  and  all  things  are  of 
God:  and  he  that  saith  he  knows  Christ,  and  keeps 


(  485  ) 


not  his  commandments,  is  a  liar:" and  this  is  thfi  blas- 
phemer, who  covers  himself  with  the  words  of  truth, 
but  is  an  enemy  to  the  life. 

Now  here  is  the  testimony  of  truth,  lay  it  to  the  tes- 
timony of  your  lives,  and  measure  yourselves  there- 
with, and  we  will  measure  ourselves  therewith  also; 
and  let  truth  judge  the  deceiver,  and  liar,  and  blasphe- 
mer by  his  fruits,  and  where  he  hath  his  seat.  VVhat 
will  truth  say  where  covetousness  is  found?  Have 
such  crucified  the  affections?  Have  proud  men  crucifi- 
ed their  lusts?  Have  wanton  ones  crucified  the  flesh? 
Have  swearers,  liars,  and  cursed  speakers  put  off  the 
body  of  sin?  Or  is  it  dead  where  these  works  are 
alive,  where  there  is  envy,  strife,  suits  and  contentions; 
Is  this  to  put  on  Christ, or  to  be  all  one  in  him?  Where 
flattering,  scorning,  backbiting  and  slandering  is,  and 
the  vessels  filled  with  such  w  ickedness,  are  all  things 
of  God?  And  are  such  baptized  into  his  death,  or  plant- 
ed into  his  resurrection:  And  are  not  they  blasphemers 
who  persecute  others  for  conscience  towards  God:  But 
to  preach  Christ  to  be  the  light  of  the  world,  and  the 
hope  of  glory  in  the  saints,  our  life,  our  righteousness 
and  perfection,  and  to  sufifer  for  it,  is  not  blasphemy. 

Now  here  is  your  measure,  and  with  truth  are  you 
measured,  weighed,  and  tried;  your  baptisms,  your 
communion,  your  redemption,  your  death  and  resur- 
rection, and  your  life  eternal ;  and  in  the  light  you  and 
we  are  seen,  and  with  the  life  thereof  you  are  found, 
who  bring  forth  these  fruits,  to  be  under  the  power  of 
sin,  unredeemed,  and  out  of  Christ  the  life,  deceiving 
your  own  souls,  and  others,  of  the  righteous  inheritance 
amongst  them  that  are  sanctified,  and  blaspheming 
the  hcly  name  of  Christ,  and  grieving  his  holy  spirit, 
by  professing  that  in  his  name  which  you  have  not,  and 
by  your  evil  deeds  act  under  his  name,  wherel)y  it  is 
polluted,  which  was  not  given  for  a  cover  to  such 
works. 

In  this  holy  name  of  Christ  hath  God  placed  his 
covenant  and  life,  and  in  these  holy  things  did  holy- 
men  and  women  meet  with  God,  worship  him,  and 


C  486  ) 


ciweil  witii  him  in  spirit, as  his  house,in  which  he  wag 
seen  and  walked;  and  are  these  now  become  a  cover 
for  a  den  of  thieves,  a  habitation  and  hiding  for  all  the 
abominations  now  acted  in  the  world?  Is  not  this  the 
height  of  blasphemy  and  deceit,  thus  to  profane  his 
holy  name,  and  turn  it  into  a  lie,  as  though  all  these 
abominable  things  were  therein,  or  that  he  owned  such 
as  live  in  them. 

Now  lay  your  words  and  your  works  in  the  true 
balance,  and  weigii  them  with  the  words  of  life  and 
power  of  his  name,  and  measure  of  truth  and  honesty, 
and  lie  not  against  the  truth;  but  you  that  are  under 
the  power  of  these  wickednesses,  and  in  bondage 
thereto,  who  see  and  are  not  ashamed  to  say,  you  can- 
not but  commit  these  abominations  while  you  live,  do 
dot  lie  against  the  work  of  Christ,  in  saying  he  hath 
redeemed  you,  when  you  are  yet  in  this  bondage,  nei- 
ther count  his  blood  an  unholy  thing,  in  saying  you  are 
washed,  nor  his  work  imperfect,  nor  mix  it  with  the 
work  of  the  devil;  but  give  to  each  his  own,  that 
thereby  they  may  be  known,  and  in  what  name  every 
thing  is  wrought ;  for  now  is  truth  come  to  1  ry  you,  and 
he  is  appearing  who  will  have  his  own,  and  nothing 
but  his  own,  under  what  pretence  soever.  Now  is  the 
heir  of  righteousness  come  to  seek  the  fruit  of  his  own; 
stand  still  you  that  use  those  high  words  against  oth- 
ers, and  see  how  the  Lord  is  dealt  with  amongst  you 
at  this  day ;  did  not  he  plant  a  holy  vine  to  bring  forth 
to  himself  of  his  own  nature  and  image?  And  have 
you  let  this  be  overrun  with  weeds,  while  you  have 
been  asleep  in  your  sloth  and  idleness,  cares  and  pleas- 
ures of  the  world,  till  all  be  filled  with  briars  and 
thorns,  and  corrupt  plants  that  now  are  spread  and 
bring  forth?  And  now  the  Lord  is  come  who  is  the 
light  of  the  world,  to  seek  fruits  of  his  own,  and  will 
you  hold  him  forth  these  cursed  fruits,  and  cover  them 
with  his  name,  as  though  they  were  his,  and  seek  to 
force  them  upon  him,  whether  he  will  or  no,  and  fall 
violently  upon  him  if  he  deny  them? 


l  487  ) 


Now  if  this  be  not  so,  what  means  this.  That 
when  any  one  in  his  name  is  sent  to  reprove  sin  in  the 
streets  or  markets  where  it  abounds,  and  in  the  name 
of  Christ  to  declare  against  false  worships,  never  set 
up  by  him  [which  hath  been  his  manner  in  all  his  ap- 
pearances] and  to  call  for  what  is  his  own,  and  to  de- 
ny the  works  of  the  devil,  that  presently  all  is  in  an 
uproar,  and  a  tumult  raised  ;  pulling  and  beating,  and 
hauling  to  prison,  beaten  in  markets,  beaten  in  your 
synagogues,  shamefully  intreated  in  your  streets,  and 
all  for  no  other  offence,  but  because  he  calls  for  his 

I  own,  and  denies  what  is  not  of  him.  Doth  not  this 
blaspheme  that  holy  name  by  which  they  are  called, 
and  which  yourselves  profess.  Teacher  cries  away 
with  him,  and  tumult  cries  away  with  him,  its  not  fit 
he  should  live.    And  what  usage  he  receives  from 

.  you  in  his  members  is  openly  seen,  and  God  is  daily 
bringing  your  works  to  light. 

Now  let  the  wise  in  heart,  who  can  discern  the 
«igns  of  the  times,  read,  if  the  parable  be  not  fulfilled 
upon  you  husbandmen;  and  will  you  gild  this  cup 
over  with  fine  words,  forms  and  professions,  and  call 
them  deceivers  and  blasphemers,  who  in  love  to  your 
souls,  and  obedience  to  Christ  tell  you  of  it,  and  tes- 
tify against  it,  in  all  long-suffering  and  patience.  Who 
will  be  found  the  deceivers,  and  the  deceived,  when 
your  gilded  covers  come  to  be  pulled  off,  and  you  must 
drink  of  the  cup  yourselves  as  you  have  filled:  and 
this  is  certainly  near  at  hand  to  come  upon  you,  and 
you  are  hasting  towards  it  apace,  your  cup  is  almost 
full,  and  with  the  light  are  you  seen;  hath  not  the 
Lamb  set  up  his  testimony  against  you  almost  in  every 
place  of  the  nation?  How  many  towns  have  you 
in  which  the  innocent  have  not  suffered  violence  for 
crying  against  sin,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  calling  for 
the  fruits  of  righteousness?  How  many  prisons  have 
you  that  do  not  speak  your  cruelty?  How  many 
counties  have  you  in  which  innocent  blood  hath  not 
been  shed,  which  daily  speaks?  How  many  of  your 
synagogues  have  the  children  of  light  born  witness  in 


(  488  ) 


against  your  evil  ways,  wherein  they  have  been  beaten, 
hauled,  pulled  and  punished?  And  all  this  you  drink 
up  as  a  thing  of  nought,  and  are  yet  thirstier  than  at 
first?  Are  these  the  works  of  Christ,  or  of  the  old 
murderer? 

VV  herefore  cease  to  blaspheme,  for  you  are  meas- 
ured by  that  which  will  not  lie,  and  with  your  own 
rule  are  you  found  in  the  works  of  the  old  deceiver, 
and  the  old  persecutors ;  and  in  their  opposition  and 
blasphemy  against  the  holy  spirit,  where  it  testifies 
against  your  evil  deeds.  So  seeing  you  are  found  in 
the  works  of  the  old  persecutors,  and  in  their  nature, 
take  to  you  their  name,  for  thai  is  truth,  and  will  be 
your  inheritance  amongst  them;  and  cease  to  blas- 
pheme the  name  of  Christ,  by  taking  it  upon  you  to 
cover  these  abominations,  and  hide  your  sin  from  your 
own  eyes,  and  so  deceive  your  own  souls,  and  others 
that  are  blind;  but  who  comes  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
comes  in  the  light  to  prove  you  openly,  and  sees  you, 
and  gives  light  in  the  life  of  Christ  for  all  to  discern 
between  the  lamb  and  the  wolf,  by  their  nature,  and 
not  by  their  clothing. 

Christ  is  the  holy  anointing,  wherewith  all  that  are 
in  him  see  out  of  these  things  to  be  lead,  and  every 
appearance  of  his,  from  Cain  the  first  murderer  till 
this  day,  declares  these  to  be  the  works  of  the  devil, 
and  by  works  of  a  contrary  nature  do  witness  against 
them:  in  which  life  he  is  the  light  of  the  world,  who 
though  he  be  in  the  midst  of  God's  throne  [seen  so  to 
his  own]  yet  as  a  lamb  slain  amongst  these  unclean 
beasts,  shining  forth  in  the  life  of  meeknesss,  holiness, 
patience  and  long-suffering,  enduring  all  things  from 
his  enemies.  Which  light  and  life,  though  to  the  wis- 
dom of  the  wise  world  it  appears  poor,  base  and  con- 
temptible, and  therefore  by  the  builders  rejected;  yet 
it  is  full  of  grace  and  truth,  and  hath  power  with  God 
over  the  devil,  and  all  these  his  works,  and  by  faith  in 
his  name,  and  by  the  virtue  of  his  nature,  all  that  are 
in  him  bear  their  testimony  against  the  world's  works 
and  nature;  for  in  that  name  is  God's  covenant  of  life 


(  489  ) 


and  peace,  and  the  ark  of  his  strength  and  safety  im 
the  great  destruction  that  is  to  come  upon  tlie  world 
for  these  things:  and  he  is  ever  at  the  arm  of  God's 
strength,  and  sits  at  his  right  hand  in  heavenly  places, 
and  with  him  to  gather  and  save  his  elect  from  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  and  by  his  sufferings  to  redeem  them 
from  under  these  ungodly  powers,  and  to  break  the 
bonds  of  iniquity.  And  therefore  they  who  are  gath- 
ered into  this  name,  hold  it  as  a  holy  power,  and  dare 
not  blaspheme  it,  but  say,  let  every  one  that  nameth 
the  name  of  Christ  depart  from  iniquity;  which  name 
to  such  is  salvation,  and  strength  and  righteousnesss, 
meekness  and  peace. 

Ah,  blind  people,  that  have  eyes  and  see  not!  what 
is  become  of  your  profession  of  names,  your  forms  and 
ordinances?  And  how  is  God  departed  out  of  all  [as 
to  you]  and  your  house  is  become  desolate,  and  where 
light,  truth  and  peace  should  dwell,  its  become  a  hab- 
itation of  devourers,a  place  of  owls  and  dragons,  and 
night  birds  and  beasts  of  prey?  Such  spirits  rule  in 
all  your  holy  things,  in  which  you  trust;  you  cry  the 
name  of  Christ,  but  see  not, nor  is  your  eye  anointed; 
you  cry  the  name  of  Jesus,  but  are  not  saved  from  your 
sins;  you  cry  Christ  is  your  king,  but  have  not  peace; 
you  cry  great  is  the  Lord  with  your  lips,  bat  the  devi^ 
prevails  in  your  hearts,  and  carries  you  captive  at  his 
will,  contrary  to  the  will  of  the  Lord;  so  you  have  got 
the  words  of  saints,  but  the  life  you  have  lost;  sheep 
in  words,  but  wolves  in  nature,  and  so  are  in  the  gall 
of  bitterness  against  such  as  retain  the  power  of  what 
you  profess.  Now  are  not  these  vain  words  you  trust 
in,  which  do  not  save?  This  is  the  deceiver  you  tell 
on,  who  makes  people  believe  in  a  lie,  and  now  he  is 
found  in  your  own  bosom ;  blessed  be  the  day  which 
hath  brought  his  works  to  lights  glory  to  God  for  ever- 
more.  Wherefore  let  not  your  own  thoughts  deceive 
you,  and  lead  you  to  cast  upon  others  that  which  in 
yourselves  is  found,  but  leave  your  vain  and  evil 
thoughts  of  others,  and  judge  your  ow^n  selves  with 
■^hc  light  of  life,  and  measure  your  works  with  truth, 

62 


(  490  ) 


and  not  with  thoughts;  did  not  they  that  persecuted 
the  prophet^,  think  they  did  God  service?  And  they 
that  persecuted  Christ  thought  the  same;  and  they 
that  persecuted  the  apostles  and  saints  of  old,  knew 
not  that  they  persecuted  Christ  Jesus,  but  thought 
they  did  well  to  punish  hereticks  and  blasphemers; 
and  they  that  slew  the  martyrs  were  of  the  same  spi- 
it,  and  so  of  the  same  mind.  And  now  come  to  your- 
selves and  your  thoughts  in  this  your  work,  which  is 
the  same  at  this  day,  and  many  of  you  have  the  same 
thoughts,  though  some  of  you  act  clearly  against  what 
you  see,  and  so  exceed  all  your  fore-fathers;  and  now 
see  who  are  deceivers  and  blasphemers,  and  where 
the  Lamb  is  led  to  the  slaughter. 

Ah!  you  teachers  of  these  nations,  should  you  thus 
have  used  your  liberty  you  had  given  of  God  from  un- 
der the  dark  power  that  ruled  [in  part]  in  the  bish- 
ops, under  which  some  of  you  suffered?  Was  it  not 
then  in  your  hearts,  that  if  you  had  but  liberty,  you 
would  go  on  to  the  rooting  out  of  the  relics  of  popery, 
and  idol  worships,  and  persecution?  Should  you  not 
have  gone  on  with  singleness  of  heart,  as  you  had 
liberty,  to  the  end?  Then  had  you  been  faithful  to 
God  and  the  nations;  then  had  you  been  as  openers 
of  the  holy  paths  for  men  to  walk  in,  and  breakers  of 
oppression,  and  men  should  have  called  you  the  bles- 
sed of  God;  then  had  you  not  inherited  this  cursed 
thing  set  up  by  your  fathers  the  old  persecutors  and 
oppressors  [whose  children  you  are  now  found  to  ap- 
pear] then  had  you  not  been  at  this  day  found  fight- 
ing for  their  fat  benefits  which  spued  them  out;  suing 
your  people  for  tithes,  pigs,  geese,  smoke-penny,  and 
such  like  trash,  hauling  poor  poor  people  to  prison, 
and  spoiling  their  houses  and  lands  for  your  bellies; 
you  had  been  at  this  day  in  a  more  honorable  work 
than  raking  in  these  dung-hills:  the  Lord  should  not 
have  needed  to  have  called  your  own  hearers  from  un- 
der your  elbows,  and  sent  Ihem  against  you  into  your 
meetmgs  to  declare  yojir  shame  openly,  and  to  cast 
this  dung  in  your  faces,  laying  open  your  deceitful 


(  491  ) 


works  and  worships,  which  fall  so  heavy  upon  yoii, 
that  you  have  not  strength  left  to  stand  before  the 
guilt  thereof,  nor  have  any  defence,  but  either  to  fly, 
or  cry  out  to  the  earthly  powers  to  help  you  against 
him  who  is  now  become  your  adversary.    It  was  not 
thus  with  you  while  you  were  sufferers  for  standing 
faithful  to  what  you  then  knew  of  Grod's  new  work. 
I  appeal  to  that  of  God  in  your  own  consciences,  if 
;  then  a  silly  boy  or  girl,  or  man  or  woman  had  asked 
you  a  question  cojicerning  your  doctrine  or  manners, 
if  you  would  have  used  either  your  feel  to  fly,  or  your 
hand  to  smite,  or  cried,  away  with  him ;  officer  take 
him  to  prison,  magistrate,  make  a  law  against  him. 
Queen  Mary's  acts  were  then  abomination  to  you ;  you 
had  then  another  weapon,  even  a  measure  of  the 
spirit  to  inform  the  weak  with  meekness,  and  to  con- 
vince gain-sayers:  but  then  you  were  suff*erers  your- 
selves for  your  Conscience,  and  so  the  case  is  changed 
with  you,  and  the  spirit  also,  as  far  as  the  sufl*erer  is 
from  the  persecutor;  only  here  the  deceiver  keeps  you 
blind,  in  that  you  keep  the  old  form  you  then  had,  but 
possessed  with  another  spirit;  so  your  sticking  in  the 
form  hath  deceived  you  of  the  suffering  spirit,  and  the 
power  of  meekness,  which  had  you  been  led  by  the 
spirit  of  the  Lamb,  you  had  been  at  this  day  in  the 
fellowship  of  his  sufterings,  not  tormenters  of  those 
that  are.    Have  not  1  heard  some  of  you  in  public  de- 
clare, that  if  a  church  had  persecution  in  it  for  con-  ' 
science  sake  upon  any  account  whatsoever,  it  needed 
no  further  trial  to  prove  it  to  be  of  the  devil,  and  not  \ 
of  the  church  of  Christ,    But  since  the  same  person 
[though  no  mean  one  of  account  amongst  the  finest 
sort  of  teachers]  hath  commanded  them  to  prison, 
who  came  but  into  the  synagogue,  and  spoke  not  one 
word.    Alas  for  your  souls!  how  are  you  fallen  under 
the  cursed  thing,  that  you  should  be  they  who  are  left 
to  fill  up  the  measure  of  what  the  bishops  came  short 
of.    Ah!  how  are  you  to  be  pitied?  Will  not  your  cuu 
ting  them  off*  rise  against  you,  and  will  not  God 
avenge  their  blood  upon  you  who  have  condemned 


(  492  ) 

their  persons,  but  justify  the  things  for  which  they 
were  cut  off,  by  adding  manifold  thereto  in  the  same 
nature. 

God  is  judge  this  day,  and  his  light  in  your  hearts, 
how  you  have  dealt  with  him  and  his  inheritance,  by 
which  you  should  have  been  led  out  of  these  things, 
into  the  kingdom  of  God,  but  are  now  found  in  the 
work  of  gain-saying,  such  as  are  coming  out  of  dark- 
ness into  light,  neither  entering  yourselves,  nor  suffer- 
ing them  that  would;  so  let  truth  forever  stand  upon 
the  head  of  the  deceiver  and  blasphemer,  and  let  such 
as  are  seduced  by  them,  be  therewithal  delivered. 
And  blessed  be  the  Lamb  forever,  whose  life  in  this 
day  become  a  light  to  divide  the  sheep  from  the  wolves? 
that  he  may  come  to  judgmentc 


A  DOOR  OPENED  TO  THE  IMPRISONED  SEED;^ 


OR,  CAPTIVE  SOULS    IN  THE  WORLD: 

And  the  way  of  freedom,  by  the  spirit  of  truth,  sent  out  in  the  world  io 

lo?e  to  the  sheep  that  have  long  been  lost. 
Which  may  serve  any  who  simply  seek  the  life  of  what  they  profess,  and 

may  shew  the  feigned  and  false  in  heart,  the  cause  why  they  are  shut 

out  of  truth's  power. 
Wherein  the  elect  way  is  opened  to  the  blind,  with  encouragement  to 

enter  and  walk  therein. 
Also  the  fruits  of  the  free  born  cleared  from  legal  performances,  and  the 

children  of  bondage  shewed  the  nature  of  their  own  works 
Christ  Jesus  known  to  be  king  in  his  temples,  thro'  the  power  of  the  ho- 
ly ghost,  and  sword  of  the  spirit  lifted  up  against  the  man  of  sin  in  true 

judgment. 


A  DOOR  OPENED  TO  THE  IMPRISONED  SEED  IN    THE  WORLD. 
AND  THE  WAY  OF  FREEDOM  BY  THE  SPIRIT  OF  TRUTH, 
SENT  INTO  THE  WORLD  IN  LOVE  TO  THE 
SHEEP  THAT   HAVE  LONG    BEEN  LOST. 

All  men  in  the  fallen  state,  through  sin  and  trans- 
gression, have  that  spirit  in  them,  which  lusts  against 
God,  and  that  seed  in  them,  and  growing  up  with  them, 
which  daily  seeks  to  ensnare  their  souls  further  into 
wickedness  and  vanity,  and  to  increase  their  separa- 
tion from  God,  by  drawing  in  iniquity,  and  filling  the 
temple,  where  God  should  dwell  and  be  known,  with 
the  accursed  things  which  God  hates  and  cannot  be- 
hold, for  this  evil  seed  being  subtle  and  froward,  pre- 
vails over  them,  and  leads  out  the  mind  into  many  sev- 
eral temptations,  presenting  them  with  delight  unto 
the  carnal  part,  and  outward  senses,  whereby  the  seed 
of  God  becomes  veiled,  and  hid  from  the  creature ;  so 
that  man  knows  not  that  word  of  life  by  which  he  was 
created,  nor  can  he  come  to  be  guided  by  it  in  himself, 
till  the  head  of  this  evil  seed  be  bruised,  through  be- 
lieving in  that  light  which  comes  from  the  life,  by  which 


(  494  ) 


the  world  was  made.  And  this  is  that  rock  which 
foiiows  man  with  its  unchangeahle  testimony,  bearing 
witness  only  to  that  which  is  of  himself,  and  against 
all  the  ways  of  that  evil  seed,  calling  and  reproving 
the  world  because  thereof:  which  call  as  many  as  re- 
ceive and  hearken  to  by  faith,  come  to  receive  the 
woid  of  life,  wherein  power  is  received  to  become  the 
sons  of  God ;  which  power  of  life,  as  it  arises  in  the 
promised  seed,  the  head  of  the  evil  seed  is  bruised, 
and  he  comes  to  be  brought  under,  who  had  taken  the 
soul  captive  at  his  will  to  every  vain  and  evil  work: 
and  so  as  the  creature  comes  to  be  redeemed  from 
under  the  power  of  darkness,  so  he  comes  to  be  gui- 
ded in  the  light  of  that  life,  by  which  he  was  created; 
and  that  light  which  before  reproved  him  for  his  deeds 
of  darkness  (following  him  from  one  to  another,  con- 
demning him  in  all,  being  turned  to  by  faith  and  obedi- 
ence) now  becomes  his  leader  out  of  the  world,  to  the 
son  of  God,  in  whom  God's  righteousness  is  revealed 
from  above  to  justification ;  which  righteousness  being 
received  and  abiding  in,  sin  is  remembered  no  more. 
And  thus  man  being  changed  into  that  divine  nature 
which  changeth  the  inward  man,  comes  to  love  that 
light  which  before  he  could  not,  for  no  man  can  love 
that  which  is  of  God,  until  he  hath  received  God's 
love. 

Now  the  light  of  the  world,  is  God's  love  to  the 
world ;  for  God  so  loved  the  world  when  it  was  in  the 
power  of  darkness,  that  he  gave  his  son  into  the  world, 
a  covenant  of  light,  that  whosoever  foUoweth  him 
should  not  abide  in  darkness,  but  should  have  the 
light  of  life.  Now  God's  love  stands  in  Christ,  the 
light  of  the  world;  that's  his  covenant  with  the  world, 
which  whosoever  rejects  and  receives  not,  is  out  of 
God's  love,  and  in  the  enmity  out  of  God's  covenant; 
neither  can  he  in  that  state  believe  that  God's  love  is 
in  it.  And  this  is  the  cause  why  men  speak  evil  of  the 
light,  who  love  their  evil  deeds,  and  cannot  receive  it 
as  God's  love,  and  the  way  to  life,  to  such  it  is  con- 
demnation; not  that  it  was  intended  thereto;  but  men 


W  (  495  ) 

loving  darkness  rather  than  light,  it  becomes  condem- 
nation: but  to  him  that  believes,  and  is  obedient,  to 
him  it  is  precious;  for  who  follow  it  out  of  the  evil 
world,  receive  the  nature  of  sons,  and  the  love  of  the 
father,  which  the  world  cannot  receive,  and  the  power 
of  godliness, and  treasure  of  eternal  life;  and  this  is 
not  given  to  any  till  they  come  out  of  the  world,  as  he 
is  not  of  the  world,  for  therein  stands  God's  covenant 
with  Abraham's  seed  forever. 

So  God's  love  to  the  world  (while  men  are  in  that 
corrupt  nature)  and  the  witness  of  the  spirit  of  truth, 
is  to  reprove  the  world  of  sin,  and  test ify  condemnation 
against  the  deeds  thereof;  but  to  such  as  have  receiv- 
ed it,  it's  a  leader,  con)forter,  and  saviour;  and  this  is 
the  cause  why  the  one  loves  it,  tho'  the  other  hates  it^ 
each  nature  speaking  that  state  in  which  it  stands  to- 
'  wards  God,  and  as  it  hath  obtained  from  him  in  Christ 
Jesus,  love  or  condemnation ;  and  he  that  will  not  re- 
ceive God's  love  that  calls  him  out,  must  abide  under 
the  power  of  that  seed  which  God  hates;  and  this  is 
he  that  seeks  to  murder  him  that  is  in  God's  love,  the 
evil  one  having  power  to  blind  that  mind  which  denies 
the  light  so  far,  till  he  cannot  see  that  the  murderer  is 
of  the  devil,  but  thinks  he  is  doing  God  service;  and 
this  in  the  end  hath  ever  befallen  such  professors  as 
reject  the  light  of  the  world,  for  he  that  walks  in  dark- 
ness knows  not  whither  he  goes;  but  God  is  light,  and 
in  him  is  no  darkness  at  all,  nor  hath  darkness  any  fel- 
lowship with  him:  Here  is  known  the  children  of  God, 
and  the  children  of  darkness;  he  that  loves  the  light, 
brings  his  deeds  to  the  light,  and  hath  fellowship  with 
God  in  his  deeds,  and  works  the  work  of  God ;  and  he 
that  denies  the  light,  works  in  darkness,  and  cannot 
believe  the  power  that  is  in  the  light,  being  under  the 
power  of  darkness. 

And  therefore  he  that  is  born  after  the  flesh,  knows 
not  him  that  is  born  after  the  spirit  of  light,  nor  can 
judge  of  his  ways,  which  are  strange,  and  wonders  in 
his  carnal  sight,  neither  knows  he  by  what  power  and 
love  that  is,  by  which  he  overcomes  the  w^orld,  and 


(  496  ) 


takes  pleasure  in  denying  the  pleasures  thereof,  and 
vanquisheth  all  its  vanities  out  of  the  heart  and  mind, 
and  can  no  more  rejoice  in  the  world,  nor  make  merry 
with  its  mirth,  but  rejoiceth  in  the  truth,  and  is  made 
glad  with  that  which  saves  him  from  such  folly;  the 
wicked  know  not  the  life  of  the  righteous,  nor  the  spring 
whence  his  virtues  arise,  nor  the  power  of  his  change, 
nor  the  end  of  all  his  patient  sufferings  and  triials,  but 
stand  wondering  at  it  as  folly  and  madness,  that  eye 
being  blinded  by  the  god  of  this  world,  which  should 
give  the  sight  thereof,  and  the  soul  being  in  bondage 
under  the  prince  of  darkness,  wherein  it  cannot  inherit 
immortal  treasure.  And  this  must  be,  till  there  be  a 
denying,  and  coming  out  of  the  world,  to  receive  that 
inheritance  of  divine  light  and  understanding,  which 
none  can  receive  nor  be  one  withal,  but  as  they  come 
ont  of  the  world,  from  under  that  seed  of  enmity  which 
seeks  to  pervert  all  the  right  ways  of  God,  and  wrest 
all  his  gifts  to  man's  destruction  as  far  as  it  can  pre- 
vail. 

Now  this  destroyer,  or  seed  of  enmity  against  the 
life  of  man  and  his  salvation,  is  kept  from  that  sudden 
effecting  his  purpose  upon  the  creature  in  whom  he  is 
head,  by  no  other  thing  but  the  patience  and  long-suf- 
ferings of  God,  who  willing  that  none  of  his  creatures 
should  perish,  but  that  if  by  any  means  all  might  hear- 
ken to  the  truth,  and  so  recover  themselves  out  of  the 
snares  of  this  subtle  deceiver  and  be  saved:  wherefore 
he  doth  many  times  long  bear  and  forbear  with  much 
patience,  striving  by  the  spirit  of  truth  with  man,  check- 
ing and  reproving,  and  warning  him  even  many  times, 
at  that  very  instant  when  the  act  of  sin  is  committing: 
and  if  the  evil  one  have  got  such  power  in  the  creature, 
that  he  will  not  suffer  him  to  mind  reproof  before,  nor 
in  the  act  of  sin,  then  afterwards  when  the  heat  of 
temptation  is  cooled,  then  he  shews  the  evil  and  dan- 
ger of  such  wickedness,  that  so  he  might  preserve  fear 
in  him,  against  the  next  temptation. 

And  thus  (in  many)  he  keeps  back  destruction  a 
long  time ;  so  that  some  are  long  e'er  the  wicked  one 


(  497  ) 


^et  them  to  fill  up  their  measure:  and  some  in  thai 
time  of  God's  patient  forbearing  and  long-suffering, 
come  to  repentance,  and  turn  to  that  which  reproves, 
and  are  saved  ;  and  others  go  on  to  destruction,  which 
swiftly  they  draw  upon  themselves,  after  once  the  spir- 
it hath  ceased  striving  and  reproving;  for  then  the  feai* 
is  lost  ,and  the  evil  one  hath  his  liberty  at  his  own  will, 
the  creature  being  given  up  of  the  Lord,  and  the  spirit 
of  truth  departed  from  them,  being  left  to  deceit,  who 
have  dealt  deceitfully  with  the  spirit  of  truth,  having 
)nlv  a  form  of  godliness,  without  the  power;  for  the 
power  of  God  is  in  that  spirit,  and  in  that  life  which  is 
known  by  withstanding  the  evil  one,  which  is  hid  in 
such  in  whom  death  reigns;  only  such  who  are  born  of 
!  the  spirit,  have  the  life  and  power,  and  know  its  strength 
and  virtue  unto  eternal  salvation;  the  rest  are  left  to 
their  own  thoughts  and  notions. 

And  here  is  the  cause  of  that  strong  contention 
which  hath  ever  been  betwixt  the  children  of  light 
who  are  born  of  that  S})irit  of  truth,  and  have  their 
I  light  and  strength  in  the  inward  man;  and  the  world's 
!  professors,  whose  expectation  stands  in  something 
;  without  them,  which  others  have  spoken  of,  who  had 
I  it  in  them.    And  so  not  knowing  the  power  and  my^ 
tery  of  the  living  faith,  which  is  holden  in  a  pure  con- 
science, which  only  hath  power  to  bring  out  of  the 
I  world's  darkness,  they  are  kept  captive  therein,  con- 
tending against  the  spiritual  light;  and  so  while  they 
are  in  the  world  go  about  to  comprehend  and  measure 
that  spirit  of  truth,  which  the  world  cannot  receive, 
neither  knoweth,  thinking  that  spirit  of  light  and  life 
to  have  no  other  operation  in  such  who  are  led  out  of 
the  world,  and  born  thereof,  and  in  whom  Christ  lives, 
than  they  find  it  to  have  in  themselves,  who  stumble  at 
it, and  are  disobedient  and  unbelieving  in  heart;  when- 
as  indeed  to  us  that  believe,  it  is  elect  and  precious 
who  come  to  it  for  all  supplies;  but  to  the  wisdom  and 
profession  of  the  world,  it  is  a  rock  of  offence,  and 
stumbling  stone,  yet  it  is  the  head  of  the  corner;  and 
in  them  who  revile  it  and  reject  it,  it  is  become  all  thev 


(  498  ) 


have  in  ihem  that  is  good,  true  and  faithful  towards 
God,  or  their  souls,  as  their  hearts  in  secret  do  witness 
to  them, and  leaves  them  without  excuse  many  times. 

For  even  they  that  reject  this  light  and  spirit,  have 
nothing  else  that  can  show  them  so  much  as  one  of 
their  thoughts,  or  divide  to  their  understanding  the 
evil  from  the  good,  either  in  thought,  word,  or  action, 
or  that  can  really  show  them  what  is  of  God  really, 
and  what  is  of  him,  who  doth  but  show  himself  to  be 
God  to  deceive  withal, and  is  not;  nor  without  it  can 
they  perceive  the  several  motions  of  every  several 
spirit  that  is  in  them,  to  receive  the  good,  and  deny 
the  bad;  nor  can  they  know  the  several  roots  of  life 
and  death,  which  plant  to  pluck  up,  and  which  to  feed 
on; and  how  can  such  labour  in  God's  vineyard?  And 
indeed,  without  obeying  this  light  the  body  is  a  house 
of  darkness,  and  a  habitation  of  every  deceitful  spir- 
it, and  the  heart  desperately  wicked,  and  no  man 
knows  it,  but  he  in  whom  the  light  of  truth  shineth; 
and  he  that  declares  to  man  his  thoughts,  his  name  is 
the  liOrd  of  hosts.  Thus  is  he  the  head  of  the  corner, 
which  the  stumbler  cannot  comprehend  in  his  wit,  and 
so  rejects  him,w^ithout  whom  there  is  no  building,  nor 
working  the  work  of  God. 

And  therefore,  you  sons  of  the  darkness  of  this 
world,  mind  in  yourselves  what  it  is  you  set  yourselves 
against;  is  it  not  that  light  which  would  limit  and 
chain  the  evil  one  in  you,  th;it  which  condemns  you 
for  every  evil  work,  secret  and  open,  which  will  not 
let  you  be  proud  and  wanton,  and  lustful?  That 
which  in  your  own  hearts  testify  against  you  for  deceit 
and  falsehood  towards  God,  and  towards  men,  deceit 
in  religion,  hypocrisy  and  falshood,  making  a  form  of 
what  you  are  not?  Deceit  in  your  dealings  with  men, 
in  your  tradings  and  speakings,  and  several  actings, 
both  as  rulers,  priests  and  people,  without  respect  of 
persons,  nor  any  other  thing,  but  hath  respect  only  to 
that  of  God  in  you,  which  is  of  his  nature,  given  to  you 
to  guide  man  in  the  light  of  God,  out  of  all  the  wav« 
of  the.ileceiving  spirit. 


(  499  ) 


AiKl  now  he  that  comes  to  you  with  this  doctrine, 
comes  near  you,  being  manifest  in  spirit  to  that  of  God 
in  your  own  hearts,  you  are  pricked  therewith,  and 
then  tlie  evil  one  is  stirred  up  in  you,  to  fight  against 
that  which  is  truth  in  yourselves,  and  answers  to  the 
truth  which  is  spoken  to  you,  by  another  without  you, 
from  tlie  same  spirit  of  truth,  which  by  you  is  rejected; 
And  thus  you  joining  with  him  that  rises  up  in  wrath 
against  the  truth  in  yourselves,  and  denying  that  vvhich 
should  chain  and  bind  the  evil  one,  you  deny  the  Lord 
of  life,  and  give  strength  to  the  evil  one  to  crucify  the 
just  in  you,  and  quench  the  spirit  of  truth,  and  weary 
the  Lord  with  striving,  till  you  be  given  up  wholly  to 
the  power  of  darkness,  who  will  then  keep  you  seek- 
ing salvation  without,  whilst  he  is  heaping  up  evil 
within. 

For  that  which  seeks  to  devour  your  souls  is  with- 
in you,  whilst  he  is  leading  you  out  to  seek  salvation; 
and  that  which  condemns  you,  is  in  you  ;  sin  is  within 
before  it  beacted,so  must  salvation  be  within  before 
you  be  cleansed;  though  the  old  deceiver  hath  taught 
people  to  think  they  are  saved  by  believing  God  only 
at  a  distance,  who  neither  know  nor  worship  him  in 
the  spirit  and  truth,  nor  are  their  bodies  his  temples, 
nor  can  the  holy  one  dwell  or  walk  in  them,  because 
of  uncieanness,  but  their  vessels  being  filled  with  the 
powers  of  darkness,  and  the  heavenly  place  with  spir- 
itual wickedness,  hath  caused  God  to  depart  from  the 
children  of  men  for  this  uncieanness;  and  yet  the  liar 
speaks  peace,  and  preaches  salvation,  and  the  crea- 
ture  believes  so,  being  filled  with  darkness:  but  the 
children  of  light  receive  not  this  doctrine,  who  see  and 
feel  cannot  be  content  with  words,  but  with  power.  A 
talk  of  God  satisfies  not  the  soul  of  a  good  man,  till  he 
feel  his  presence  and  power;  God  only  without,  and 
the  devil  within,  is  not  the  saint's  faith  nor  salvation; 
but  God  in  them,  and  the  devil  cast  out.  is  their  glory 
and  strength,  and  they  are  bold  through  the  might  of 
his  spirit  in  them,  to  war  daily  against  the  prince  of  this 
world,  because  they  know  him  who  is  greater  in  them, 


(   500  ) 


than  he  that  is  in  the  work!.  And  this  is  the  faith  \hh 
overcomes  the  world;  and  he  that's  born  of  the  spirit, 
hath  the  father  and  the  son,  and  he  that  hath  the  devil 
is  his  enemy,  and  knov*'s  him  not  whence  he  is,  hut  judg- 
eth  him  after  the  flesh  and  outward  appearance;  hut 
the  child  of  light  wars  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after 
God,  that  he  alone  may  have  the  glory,  who  is  all  in 
them  that  they  have  to  glory  in,  who  gives  their  souls 
the  holy  victory. 

And  now,  were  nol  you  wholly  blind  in  your  minds, 
and  past  feeling,  you  could  never  sit  down  so  besotted, 
as  to  believe  you  are  saved,  while  you  are  daily  capti- 
vated in  sin,  and  led  many  times  to  do  that  which  you 
know  you  should  not,  and  this  by  the  power  of  lust  in 
you,  enticing  and  leading  you  into  every  temptation, 
and  causing  you  to  fall  into  many  hurtful  evils,  which 
gather  strength  and  rooting  daily  in  you,  heaping 
wrath  and  vengeance,  by  adding  sin  unto  sin,  which 
must  all  be  accounted  for  in  the  end  thereof,  when  you 
have  filled  your  vessels  to  a  full  measure:  and  can  you 
say  you  are  redeemed  from  the  devil,  while  he  hath 
this  power  in  you,  that  you  are  not  able  to  resist  him, 
but  are  led  captive  at  his  will,  contrary  to  all  fear  of 
God,  or  power  of  righteousness?  Are  your  bodies  re- 
deemed to  God,  and  are  you  members  of  Christ,  whilst 
you  yield  your  members  unto  unrighteousness?  Or, 
arc  you  saved  who  are  servants  of  sin?  In  what  stands 
the  life  and  power  of  your  redemption,  of  your  faith, 
and  of  your  salvation,  seeing  nothing  can  stand  with 
God  but  that  which  brings  forth  to  him?  Is  not  he  in 
the  bonds  of  iniquity,  who  is  bound  to  bring  forth  ini- 
quity? Is  not  he  a  servant  of  sin,  in  whom  it  reigns? 
Is  not  he  the  child  of  bondage,  who  is  bound  to  bring 
forth  what  the  evil  one  begets  in  him,  and  to  serve 
him  in  what  he  moves  him  unto?  Mind  this,  you  who 
are  born  after  the  fleshly  spirit,  who  act  according 
to  his  will,  who  worketh  in  your  flesh  to  bring  forth 
unto  death.  Doth  your  profession  save  you,  who  are 
not  turned  from  dead  works?  The  foundation  of  re- 
pentance is  not  yet  laid  in  you,  and  therefore  death 


(   SOI  ) 

reigns  over  you,  contrary  to  the  life  that  should  brii^^ 
forth  to  God  ;  and  this  is  the  servant  of  sin's  state,  and* 
spirit  of  bondage,  and  not  the  heirs  state,  who  inherits 
God's  righteousness,  and  brings  forth  thereof  unto  that 
spirit  which  pieaseth  God,  as  you  bring  forth  to  the 
flesh,  and  please  the  world:  and  these  two  seeds  are 
within,  and  are  at  enmity  and  disagreement,  and  there 
can  be  no  concord  betwixt  them,  no  more  than  between 
light  and  darkness:  and  their  several  fruits  are  made 
manifest  with  the  light,  which  condemns  the  one,  and 
oonfesseth  the  other  to  be  of  God,  and  wrought  in  God. 

And  as  many  as  are  quickened  with  the  spirit  of  life, 
liave  the  feeling  of  this  before  they  bring  forth  the 
fruits  thereof  into  the  world,  and  are  come  to  the  dis- 
cerning of  things  that  differ  in  nature  and  effect,  by 
the  tasting  and  handling  of  the  word  of  life,  and 
knowledge  of  that  election  which  was  before  the 
world  was,  by  which  they  are  made  able  to  judge  the 
ground  and  end  of  every  motion  in  them,  or  to  them; 
which  abiding  in,  they  need  not  man  to  teach  them, 
neither  can  they  be  deceived;  which  makes  them  with 
boldness  bring  forth  openly  such  words  and  works  as 
are  begotten  in  them  by  the  word  of  life,  which  shews 
the  whole  world  to  Ue  in  w^ickedness,  and  makes  it 
manifest  in  the  light  of  life,  by  whom  the  prince  of  this 
world  is  judged  and  condemned,  and  the  secrets  of 
hearts  made  manifest,  according  to  the  nature  of  every 
several  spirit  which  comes  up  to  the  day  of  the  Lord's 
appearance. 

And  to  this  spirit  of  truth  must  an  account  be  giv- 
en by  all  flesh  living ;  for  this  is  he  that  lives  to  all  gen- 
erations, and  is  unchangeable  in  his  witness  against 
the  evil  seed,  into  whatever  form  he  transforms  him- 
self, in  words  and  profession ;  yet  is  there  no  agree- 
ment betwixt  their  several  natures,  be  they  in  one  per- 
son, or  be  they  in  a  family,  or  be  they  in  a  nation, 
there  is  not  agreement ;  nor  can  any  one  person,  fam- 
ily or  nation  serve  them  both  ;  but  whoever  serves  the 
one, hates  the  other,  and  cojidemns  him:  so  he  that 
serves  deceit,  condemns  the  just,  and  so  condemns  that 


(   502  ) 


Xv^iich  should  save  him,  and  must  judge  him  iu  the  eud. 
^And  here  is  the  cause  of  that  fleshly  liberty  which 
some  have  got  for  the  present,  where  the  witness  is 
slain; and  also  of  the  horror  of  conscience,  where  the 
just  appears  toward  judgment;  the  unstabled  estate  of 
such  who  are  not  faithful:  but  the  eveslasting  peace 
and  power  in  such  where  the  just  hath  dominion,  and 
the  present  sorrows  of  such  who  are  diligent  in  wail- 
ing and  wrestling  to  the  end  of  the  world,  from  the  be- 
ginning of  the  work  of  Christ  Jesus,  through  faith  and 
patience;  and  all  these  are  comprehended  with  him 
who  hath  learned  Christ,  by  being  faithful  to  that  spir- 
it of  'truth,  sent  in  his  name,  to  testify  what  is  of  him 
in  every  vessel,  and  what  is  of  the  spirit  that  lusteth 
against  hira,  and  keeps  the  creation  in  bondage. 

And  this  is  that  one  way  to  life  and  salvation,  hol- 
den  forth  freely  by  the  spirit  of  truth,  sent  forth  by  the 
father  in  the  name  of  Christ  Jesus,  who  hath  its  sever- 
al operations  in  several  vessels,  according  as  he  finds 
them  towards  God,  in  some  he  is  a  condemner,  in 
some  a  leader  and  teacher  towards  God ;  in  some  a 
perfect  justifier  in  the  sight  of  God  presenting  them, 
who  also  gives  several  gifts,  and  power  to  such  as  re* 
ceive  this  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ;  yet  is  he  but  one 
in  all,  unchangeably  just,  equal  and  holy,  who  by  the 
power  of  his  word  changeth  all  things  that  are  change-  - 
able,  and  bringeth  all  things  to  the  beginning,  before 
people,  nations  and  tongues  were  divided,  where  man 
lives  by  the  spirit  of  a  pure  life. 


\-0W  ALL  THAT  DESIRE  TO  BE  SET  FREE  FROM  THIS  BONDAtK 
BEFORE-MENTIONED,  AND  FROM  THAT  LAW  OF  SIN  AND 
DEATH  THAT  HATH  ITS   STRENGTH  IN  THE  FLESHLY 
PART,  DILIGENTLY  MIND^  TO   FEEL  IN 
YOURSELVES,  AS  FOLLOWETH. 


The  spirit  of  life  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  by  whom 
the  world  was  made  in  the  beginning,  hath  a  law  that 
is  spiritual,  proceeding  from  himself;  which  law  gives 


^    503  ) 


ijght  in  spirit  to  good  and  bad,  testifying  against  the 
power  of  sin  and  death;  which  light,  as  many  as  re- 
ceive by  faith  and  obedience,  are  brought  thereby  un- 
der the  law  of  life,  which  whoever  is  faithful  in,  are 
led  in  such  ways,  whereby  that  part  in  man  in  which 
the  law  of  sin  hath  its  power,  is  crucified  and  slain, 
and  the  seed  of  the  covenant  thereby  comes  into  do- 
minion ;  for  by  the  man  of  sin  the  soul  is  kept  in  bond- 
:?e,  while  the  strong  man  keeps  the  house,  whose 
.ireiigth  is  in  such  things  as  the  carnal  mind  takes 
pleasure  in;  which  things  the  law  of  the  spirit  calls 
them  from,  who  mind  it  in  the  light  thereof,  and  leads 
fo  exercise  the  mind  in  spiritual  things,  and  to  feed  on 
the  word  of  life,  whereby  the  inward  man  is  strength- 
ened, and  made  to  grow  up  in  the  stature  of  a  spiritual 
man,  filled  thereby  with  spiritual  power,  life  and  vir- 
tue, to  bring  forth  fruit  unto  God,  and  to  live  to  him,  as 
the  other  lived  to  the  flesh  and  brought  forth  unto 
death. 

Thus  the  spirit  of  life  draws  with  the  light,  and 
saith,  come,  to  all  that  mind  its  voice;  and  as  many 
,  as  obey,  he  changeth  and  feedeth  with  the  new  life, 
t  whereby  they  become  new  creatures,  born  of  the 
spirit:  and  the  fleshly  spirh  it  draws,  and  saith,  come, 
holding  fordi  visible  idols  to  take  the  carnal  affections, 
and  to  captivate  the  mind  from  the  spirit  of  life  into 
I  carnal  objects,  who  promise  much  to  the  eye  of  earth- 
ly wisdom,  and  have  a  likeness  of  a  substance  in 
I  them,  but  the  end  is  death,  and  their  whole  life  is  in 
captivity  to  vanity,  and  separation  from  God:  and 
here  are  the  children  of  freedom,  which  are  in  Christ 
Jesus,  made  manifest  to  the  world,  by  their  coming  out 
of  it;  and  the  children  of  bondage  manifest,  who  can- 
not deny  to  serve  it;  and  betwixt  these  two  is  no 
agreement:  for  he  that  is  a  servant  of  sin,  is  free  from 
j    righteousness,  and  the  servant  of  righteousness  is  free 
•    from  sin;  and  as  he  that  is  in  the  flesh  cannot  please 
I    God,  neither  can  he  that  is  in  the  spirit  please  the 
world:  these  are  children  of  several  kingdoms,  and 
^pvftral  natures:  and  \m  that's  born  after  the  flesh 


(   504  ) 


hath  that  spirit  which  lusteth  enviousl} ,  and  seeks  to 
devour  the  creation;  and  he  that's  born  again  after 
the  spirit  of  life,  is  brought  into  the  restoration,  as  in 
the  beginning,  and  bringeth  forth  to  God  the  fruits  of 
eternal  life  and  salvation  in  the  creation. 

And  as  by  the  creatures  yielding  and  consenting  to 
the  subtle  one,  the  life  is  lost,  and  the  evil  seed  gets 
strength  in  man  to  rule  and  bring  forth  after  the  power 
of  darkness;  so  by  the  creatures  believing  in  the 
Sight,  and  by  yielding  to  the  motions  of  the  life  of  holi- 
ness, and  the  law  thereof,  comes  the  evil  seed  to  lose 
fits  strength  and  feeding,  which  is  upon  carnal  things; 
and  that  life  which  is  by  faith  comes  again  to  be  re- 
newed in  the  vessel,  and  arises  through  the  spirit,  and 
reigns  above  death ;  and  the  righteousness  and  virtue 
of  that  life  is  not  of  the  nature  of  flesh  and  blood,  but 
of  God;  and  is  made  manifest  in  the  earthen  vessel, 
by  the  life  and  power  of  the  spirit,  against  the  will  of 
the  flesh,  and  the  lusts  thereof:  and  thus  comes  man 
again  into  the  restoration  and  redemption  of  the  body, 
into  the  free  service  of  that  spirit  and  life,  of  whom 
he  is  the  offspring,  and  for  which,  and  by  which  he 
came  into  the  world ;  and  here  is  true  reconciliation 
and  peace  with  God,  and  no  condemnation,  but  unity 
in  the  spirit  and  life  as  the  father  and  son  are  one, 
the  lust  being  slain,  the  enticer  denied,  and  the  accu- 
ser cast  out,  and  all  things  become  new,  and  all  things 
of  God;  here  is  no  more  the  house  of  bondage  t(>  sin, 
but  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God;  that  na- 
ture being  quickened  that  is  spiritual,  it  doth  not  feed 
on  carnal  pleasures,  but  upon  God ;  so  the  inward 
man  becomes  a  natural  branch  of  the  holy  root,  and 
a  plant  of  the  living  God,  bringing  out  freely  what  the 
root  sends  forth,  in  which  God  is  glorified,  and  the 
vessel  made  honorable,  and  the  soul  filled  with  peace 
and  fatness,  and  hath  no  more  sorrow  and  death  to 
oppress  it;  and  the  light  and  life  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  manifest  in  the  spirit  of  truth,  is  the  first  and 
last  in  this  work;  and  here  is  seen  how  unnatural 
man,  driven  from  God,  is  become  to  that  pure  life 


(  505  ) 


which  gives  him  breath  and  being,  and  would  preserve 
him  from  destruction,  who  is  so  wholly  fallen  from  it, 
and  become  contrary  to  it,  in  nature  and  judgment, 
that  of  all  things  in  the  world  it's  the  greatest  cross  to 
be  guided  by  that  light  which  arises  in  him  from  that 
holy  life,  and  daily  calls  him  in  spirit  thereinto,  being 
degenerated  into  a  contrary  nature,  more  subtle  and 
selfish,  is  willing  to  join  with  the  enemy  thereof  in  any 
way  against  the  pure  light  that's  in  himself,  to  revile, 
reproach,  murder,  and  turn  it  into  darkness,  by  cover- 
ing it  with  deceit;  though  man  in  this  state  hath  no- 
thing in  him  but  it,  that  is  of  the  nature  of  God,  holy 
and  just,  or  that  will  call  him  from  the  paths  of  the 
destroyer,  into  the  way  of  life,  or  bring  forth  through 
him  any  fruits  of  obedience,  or  spiritual  worship  that 
God  will  own;  nor  hatli  he  any  other  thing  in  this 
world  that  is  always  present  with  him,  to  give  him  to 
see  when  he  is  enticed  with  his  lust,  and  tempted  to 
sin,  nor  the  way  how  to  escape  the  temptation;  yet 
is  man  so  exalted  in  the  contrary  nature,  that  he  hath 

I  forgotten  his  creator,  and  lifts  up  the  heel  against  the 
reproof  of  his  spirit,  trampling  upon  the  lowly  motions 
of  the  holy  one,  and  the  law  which  out  of  his  mouth 
proceeds,  counting  the  light  and  virtue  of  his  life  to 
be  a  low  and  contemptible  thing,  not  able  to  save* 
Thus  doth  lost  man  daily  despise  the  spirit  of  grace 

I  and  truth  in  the  inward  parts,  and  resists  the  holy 
ghost  against  their  own  souls,  and  denies  his  pure  and 
single  eye,  and  holy  movings  by  which  the  holy  men 
of  God  spoke,  saw  and  discerned  in  all  ages,  as  the 
scriptures  do  testify;  all  which  is  lost  as  to  that  man 
who  is  exalted  above  the  pure  light  and  lowly  spirit, 
in  which  God  meets  man  to  teach  him  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth. 

And  therefore  5'^ou  teachers  and  people  of  all  sorts 
j  and  sects,  who  so  violently  have  set  yourselves  against 
the  light  of  the  spirit  within  you,  and  within  others^ 
when  it  calls  to  you  for  a  return  to  it;  How  long  will 
you  kick  against  that  which  pricks  you  at  the  heart 
I  for  your  contrary  walkings,  an(;l  dissembling  profe??- 
f  64. 


(   506  ) 


3ions?  Why  will  you  not  be  still  and  commune  .with  it 
in  your  own  hearts,  that  you  might  come  to  a  true  feel- 
ing, and  discern  what  nature  it  is  of,  and  from  whence 
It  is,  and  what  way  it  works,  and  against  what?  And 
also  what  nature  that  is  in  you,  which  it  chiefly  con- 
demns and  works  against,  and  from  whence  that  is? 
That  so  with  the  light  of  truth  you  might  come  to 
judge  things  that  differ  in  the  ground,  and  in  the  end, 
that  you  might  so  come  to  walk  in  the  light,  in  judg- 
ment, and  in  truth  of  heart  towards  God  and  man 
And  let  the  single  truth  of  God  without  mixture  an- 
swer these  things  following  feelingly  in  you. 

What  is  the  cause  that  while  you  are  professing  to 
seek  God  and  serve  him,  you  should  be  so  unwilling  to 
serve  him  in  that  which  is  of  his  own  nature,  and  to 
wc^^hip  him  in  spirit  and  truth,  in  your  own  vessels, 
whose  bodies  should  be  the  temples  of  God,  who  is  not 
worshipped  in  temples  made  with  hands,  nor  in  a  na- 
ture contrary  to  himself?  Or  will  the  talking  of  what 
he  is  or  was  in  others,  in  whom  he  was  known  to  walk 
and  speak,  deliver  your  souls  from  the  power  of  the 
prince  of  darkness  and  deceit,  that  is  in  yourselves, 
unless  you  can  by  faith  receive  him  in  you  also,  as  they 
received  him,  and  feel  his  power  overcoming  and  cas- 
ting out  him  that  hath  you  captive  at  his  will, against 
your  faith  and  conscience?  Or,  will  God  be  found  in 
you,  or  accept  your  worship,  whilst  his  temple  is  pos- 
sessed with  his  enemy,  and  a  contrary  nature  act  you 
therem?  Can  you  meet  with  God  in  any  thing  but  that 
which  is  holy,  Vv^ho  hears  not  the  prayer  of  him  that 
regards  iniquity. 

Wherefore  your  first  work  should  be  to  know  him  in 
you  whom  God  accepts,  for  he  alone  must  present  you 
to  the  father,  who  appears  without  sin;  understand 
what  I  say,  he  that  appears  without  sin,  else  you  are 
reprobate  in  God's  sight;  there  is  no  hope  without 
knowing  Christ  in  you  the  everlasting  priest,  to  offer  up 
upon  the  altar  of  atonement.  Holiness  must  make  one 
in  spirit;  and  though  by  the  height  of  your  minds,  he 
that  is  without  sin  below  and  little  in  you,  yet  without 


(  507  ) 


iie  >ou  can  do  nothing:  then  what  are  you  doing  who 
dre  not  in  the  holy  spirit?  Can  you  worship  by  tradi- 
tion, or  be  saved  by  the  letter?  Will  you  make  Christ 
a  liar,  who  saith,  without  me  you  can  do  nothing?  I  am 
the  light  of  the  world;  every  branch  (saith  Christ) 
that  abideth  not  in  me,  is  cast  out,  and  withereth,and 
is  for  the  fire.  Mind  this,  you  that  reject  holiness 
inspirit,  and  the  light,  from  the  holy  spirit  in  you:  are 
you  not  cut  off,  who  are  not  in  that  which  is  holy;  are 
you  not  withered  and  for  the  fire?  Are  you  not  cast 
out,  who  have  no  abiding-place  in  that  which  is  holy? 
Have  you  power  and  knowledge  in  you  to  do  evil,  but 
not  to  do  well?  Are  you  not  out  off  from  the  tjrue  vine, 
and  planted  into  a  wild  vine  of  a  contrary  nature? 
Your  corrupt  tree  is  known  by  its  fruits,  which  brings 
forth,  but  not  to  God,  nor  from  God,  who  are  cut  off 
and  withered,  without  Christ  and  without  God  in  the 
world,  who  would  teach  you  and  make  you  free;  here 
;s  your  loss  and  nakedness  manifest,  and  the  short  bed, 
and  the  short  garment,  who  have  not  the  holy  spirit  to 
cover  you,  nor  bear  you  harmless. 

Now,  will  you  say,  you  hope  you  are  born  again  of 
the  spirit,  and  are  baptised  into  the  spirit,  and  walk  in 
the  spirit,  and  worship  in  the  spirit,  and  then  are  gone 
out  for  salvation  and  light,  and  speak  evil  of  that  light 
within,  as  not  able  to  bear  you  up  against  him  that  is  of 
the  world?  Now  your  hope  is  not  an  anchor,  nor  your 
faith  in  that  which  overcomes  the  world,  as  the  saints 
do,  whosoever  is  born  of  God,  overcomes  the  world: 
and,  he  that  is  begotten  of  God,  keepeth  himself,  that 
the  evil-one  toucheth  him  not. 

Now  mind,  where  is  he  that  keepeth  himself?  And 
where  is  the  evil-one  ?  Let  truth  answer  in  you,  if  there 
be  any  knowledge  of  God  in  the  house.  Is  not  that  he 
who  gives  you  light,  that  would  keep  you  from  the  evil- 
one?  And  should  you  not  be  one  in  him  that  would 
keep  you  from  evil?  Who  is  your  keeper?  Ye  watch- 
men that  are  blind,  do  not  you  watch  in  vain,  who 
know  not  the  Lord  to  keep  your  city,  else  how  should 
the  evil-one  have  his  liberty  in  and  out  without  a  pow* 


(   508  j 


fol  residing?  Consider  in  yourselves,  where  is  he  that 
gives  you  to  see  when  the  evil-one  toucheth  you,  and 
when  he  tempteth  but  toucheth  not?  What  nature  is 
he  of  that  doth  this  for  you?  And  where  is  he?  Is  he 
not  light  and  understanding,  and  is  he  not  in  you;  and 
is  he  not  of  a  contrary  nature  to  the  evil-one  that  tempt- 
eth? And  doth  he  not  shew  you  the  temptation,  before 
you  consent  thereto  (if  you  mind  him:)  Then  what  is 
the  cause  that  the  evil  is  committed,  seeing  the  light 
appears  against  him?  Is  it  not  because  you  join  to  the 
evil  one,  and  like  his  motion  better  than  his  that  testi- 
fies it  to  be  evil.  And  so  you  deny  the  holy-one  and 
the  just,  and  become  one  with  the  evil-one;  and  then 
you  say,  the  light  is  not  able,  when  you  have  denied  it, 
and  have  not  been  faithful  to  join  to  it  in  counsel  and 
strength,  but  have  given  your  strength  to  the  contrary; 
but  they  that  are  born  of  it, do  not  so;  but  when  they 
are  shewed  the  evil-one  and  his  temptation,  be  it  what- 
ever it  be  to,  or  under  what  pretence  soever,  if  the 
light  testifies  against  it,  then  is  their  diligence,  watch- 
fulness and  sobriety,  used  against  it  in  the  fear  of  God, 
lest  they  should  draw  from  the  light  and  enticed;  and 
with  all  their  power  they  join  in  obedience  to  the  way 
of  the  light,  so  that  there  is  a  war  and  wrestling  e'er 
the  things  be  over;  and  being  resisted  steadfast  in  the 
faith,  he  flees,  and  the  glory  returns  to  God  who  dwells 
in  the  light.  And  if  at  any  time  the  evil-one  prevail, 
the  creatiire  comes  to  see  the  cause  to  be  in  himself, 
and  not  in  God,  and  for  it  is  humbled  and  warned ;  and 
this  he  comes  to  see  when  the  temptation  is  over,  and 
the  enemy  fled,  and  he  is  come  again  into  coolness  with 
God  in  the  light,  which  while  the  darkness  was  up,  and 
the  enemy  in  the  house,  he  saw  not. 

And  thus  is  experience  gained  through  tribulations 
and  trials,  which  they  who  endure  not,  come  not  to 
learn  of  God,  but  fall  under  temptation  to  evil,  through 
unfaithfulness  to  the  light,  and  so  are  captives  at  his 
will  who  tempts  to  evil,  and  the  enemy  of  all  right- 
eousness reigns  over  all  the  members,  leading  out  the 
eyes,  ears,  hands  and  heart  to  iniquity  and  vanity,  and 


(   509  ) 


the  tongue  to  plead  for  it,  against  every  reproof;  hav 
mg  denied  the  reproof  of  the  spirit  of  truth  withiii 
yourselves,  it  cannot  be  received  from  others,  for  in 
that  house  the  contrary  spirit  wholly  reigns,  whicli 
turns  away  the  ear  from  hearing  of  knowledge,  and  the 
heart  from  good  understanding  in  sj^irit. 

And  this  is  the  cause  why  you  are  kept  without  the 
feeling  of  God  and  his  power,  and  knowledge  of  his' 
word,  and  the  mysteries  of  his  powerful  counsel  are 
hidden  from  you,  which  he  reveals  to  the  faithful,  who 
have  overcome  through  faith  and  patience,  in  whom 
satan  is  subdued  and  trodden  under  foot;  for  in  whom 
this  devourer  is  above,  whatever  God  gives  or  reveals 
10  the  creature,  the  deceiver  is  ready  to  pervert  it 
quite  to  a  contrary  end,  that  God  never  intended  in  the 
giving  thereof,  and  to  lift  up  a  wrong  nature,  and  ex- 
alt a  contrary  spirit,  which  God  hates,  and  this  is  evi- 
dent by  the  light  of  truth  throughout  the  world.  What 
are  the  gifts  of  God  which  the  spirit  of  the  world  abu-. 
ses  not?  If  God  gives  wealth,  where  that  spirit  is 
above,  how  is  the  creature  puft  up  therewith  above 
the  rest  of  his  brethren,  as  though  he  were  no  more  of 
the  same  mould  and  blood, but  as  God  would  he  be  wor- 
shipped ;  if  he  gives  beauty,  it's  turned  into  lust,  pride 
and  wantonness,  begetting  and  deceiving  adulterous 
eyes;  wisdom  is  turned  into  folly  and  wickedness, 
scorning  the  simple,  and  over-reaching  the  plain  heart- 
ed, and  such  as  have  most  of  it,  are  but  most  able  to 
compass  their  corrupt  ends;  when  God  gives  grace, it's 
turned  into  lasciviousness,  and  God's  long  forbearance 
into  hardness  of  heart;  religion  and  profession  into  a 
cloak  for  sin  and  hypocrisy;  fasting  and  praying,  to 
accomplish  men^s  self  ends  against  such  as  they  would 
swallow  up,  &c. 

And  not  one  thing  that  God  can  give,  which  this 
evil  one  will  not  subvert  and  turn  against  the  giver,  so 
that  though  God  be  free  in  himself,  and  good  and  plen- 
tiful in  mercy,  yet  he  doth  not  so  shew  himself  to  such 
in  whom  the  strong  man  keeps  the  house,  w^ho  makes 
the  creature  thereby  but  more  wanton  to  kick  against 


C  510  ) 


his  Creator,  and  puffs  him  up  to  forget  his  maker  and, 
feeder ;  and  so  a  fruitful  land  maketh  he  barren,  for  the 
wickedness  of  them  that  dwell  therein,  which  from 
the  beginning  was  not  so. 

Neither  is  it  so  with  the  children  of  light  and  coun- 
sel;  who  have  the  giver  in  their  hearts  above  the  gift, 
where  the  pure  counsel  sits  to  order  the  gifts,  where 
every  good  and  perfect  gift  is  brought  forth  in  its  own 
nature,  form  and  manner,  undefiled,or  disfigured  with 
the  spirit  of  the  world  ;  but  the  springs  run  forth  from 
the  clean  fountain,  and  the  plant  and  fruit  is  holy  like 
the  root,  where  the  spirit  is  clean,  and  the  flesh  unde- 
filed,  and  every  thing  as  it  comes  from  God,  as  in  the 
beginning,  and  the  old  man  put  off,  and  all  things  of 
God;  there  every  gift  of  God  is  known  by  its  fruits, 
and  nature,  and  ends,  in  such  vessels;  the  gifts  of  God 
return  to  God  by  glorifying  him  here  on  earth,  where 
riches  bring  forth  good  and  merciful  works,  and  not 
pride  and  vain  glory;  wisdom  stands  up  against  op- 
pression, and  not  to  deceive;  and  through  grace  doth 
righteousness  reign  unto  life  eternal;  their  religion  is 
pure,  and  unmixed  with  the  world,  but  separated  from 
it,  whereby  the  sons  and  daughters  of  God  are  known 
in  the  streets,  by  his  virtue  and  comeliness  put  upon 
them  by  him,  with  which  they  are  covered  over,  as  a 
garment,  even  with  all  the  fruits  of  the  holy  spirit  of 
faith  and  truth,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  Lord 
over  all  in  such  vessels;  and  these  are  the  vessels  of 
honour  fit  for  the  Lord  to  shine  through  against  his 
adversary  (the  world's  spirit)  in  fruits  that  cannot  be 
condemned,  being  not  defiled  in  the  vessel,  but  mani- 
fest as  they  come  from  above,  answering  to  that  of 
God  in  every  heart,  in  which  the  evil  pne  hath  neither 
part  nor  power ;  these  are  sons  of  God^without  rebuke, 
in  the  midst  of  an  unclean  generation  shining  as  lights; 
and  this  alone  honours  God,  which  is  of  God;  and  this 
answers  the  end  of  man's  creation,  and  God's  bounty, 
who  is  rich  in  such,  till  they  come  to  be  filled  with  all 
the  fulness  of  God,  which  he  withholds  not  from  such; 
but  from  the  unclean  and  slothful,  such  who  defile  the 


(  511  ) 


flesh  with  lusts,  from  such  he  withholds  his  riches  and 
fulness;  therefore  the  world  knows  not  the  sons  of 
God,  nor  whence  they  are,  nor  whither  they  return, 
who  follow  Christ  out  of  the  world,  never  returning 
thither  again,  but  to  testify  against  it,  whose  vessels 
are  no  more  filled  with  lust,  and  the  spirit  of  this 
world  to  bring  forth  thereto,  but  are  filled  with  the 
holy  ghost,  who  hath  made  them  new  creatures  for 
himself  to  vvalk  in,  and  shine  forth  in  fruits  of  the 
spirit. 

And  now  you  wild  colts,  and  barren  earthly  minded 
professors,  who  have  filled  your  vessels  with  wantOB- 
ness  and  deceit,  and  all  sorts  of  fleshly  minds:  in 
vain  do  you  hunt  about  with  your  old  bottles,  and  think 
to  retain  the  heavenly  treasure,  you  gad  about,  but  to 
no  purpose  in  the  sight  and  esteem  of  God,  for  you  are 
in  the  wrong  work,  while  you  are  in  the  worlds  nature; 
and  in  the  old  creation;  your  words  and  ordmances 
are  empty  of  the  life  of  God,  and  his  fruits  you  cannot 
bring  forth  nor  receive,  till  you  be  renewed;  nothing 
you  can  do  will  avail  you  but  a  new  creature;  your 
old  vessels  are  full  of  the  old  wine  from  the  wild  grape ; 
and  that's  above  in  you  which  defiles  the  pure  con- 
science, so  God  with-holds  his  gifts  from  you,  which 
abound  in  his  new  creation,  and  you  know  nought  of 
it  but  what  condemns  you ;  so  you  fight  against  it,  and 
say,  there  is  nothing  now  perfect,  and  so  would  con- 
demn the  new  with  the  old,  and  judge  them  alike; 
and  thus  you  err,  not  knowing  the  gift  of  God,  nor  the 
works  of  his  hands,  which  are  all  perfect,  as  he  is 
perfect,  who  walks  not  in  the  defiled  temple,  nor  lies 
in  the  bosom  of  harlots,  who  are  out  of  his  powev 
and  perfect  way  of  a  holy  life ;  therefore 

Your  work  would  profit  you  most,  to  take  the  can- 
dle of  truth,  and  sweep  the  house  at  home,  and  cast 
out  the  old  leaven,  and  whatever  is  of  the  world,  and 
wait  in  that  which  works  in  spirit  agamst  the  old,  till 
therewith  all  be  made  new;  and  the  new  vessel  which 
will  not  receive  the  old,  nor  mix  with  it:  that  is  il 
which  will  hold  with  the  new.  which  God  will  fill 


(   512  ) 


with  himself;  tliere  the  seed  may  spring  and  not  *be 
hindred,  and  the  lilly  grow  without  being  choaked ; 
there  the  lamb  may  be  safe  from  the  fox,  and  the  pure 
from  pollution;  which  can  never  be,  while  your  cov- 
etous, proud,  lustful,  earthly  minds  are  alive  in  you, 
or  ought  that  therewith  you  have  treasured  in,  or  grows 
up  in  that  ground,  the  plant  of  God  is  more  pure  and 
tender  than  to  grow  amidst  such  pollution.  So  to 
judgment  you  must  first  come,  and  own  you  condemna- 
tion upon  all  the  old,  before  you  can  receive  of  the 
new,  or  it  grow  in  you.  What  agreement  hath  the 
spirit  of  meekness  with  the  spirit  of  pride?  conten- 
tedness  with  covetousness?  holiness  with  lust?  Christ 
with  Belial?  light  with  darkness?  Read  and  under- 
stand, here  is  the  cause  why  you  have  sought  and  la- 
boured many  years,  and  many  of  you  further  off  than 
at  first,  but  none  have  found  freedom  indeed,  nor  that 
rest  where  the  thief  and  unclean  come  not  to  devour. 
Consider  these  things  while  they  are  near  you,  lest 
your  hearts  harden  in  you  through  unbelief,  and  the 
deceit  of  lusts:  and  if  you  will  come,  then  refuse  not 
him  that  calls  and  gives  you  light  in  the  dark,  but 
faithfully  manage  the  watch  and  the  war  on  his  be- 
half with  all  your  power,  till  all  be  brought  under  his 
feet,  which  he  testifies  against  in  you,  and  do  not  an- 
swer the  truth  (when  he  calls)  with  deceit  and  excu- 
ses, lest  he  turn  away  from  you,  and  call  others  more 
worthy.  If  yon  say  the  world  holds  you  back,  then 
it's  time  you  should  not  delay  to  break  those  bonds 
that  are  grown  so  strong  already,  they  will  be  stronger 
every  day,  and  what  will  the  end  be?  Consider  and 
understand  like  men,  and  say  not,  you  have  not 
strength,  but  turn  with  that  strength  with  which  you 
have  long  served  the  world,  and  you  will  find  God 
[that  gave  it  you]  the  better  master;  and  the  redeem- 
er is  served  with  less  vigor  than  the  spirit  of  bondage; 
and  do  but  faithfully  give  the  strength  you  have  of  God 
unto  the  service  of  God  in  the  light,  and  he  requires 
no  more  than  he  gives;  it's  deceit  that  makes  these 
excuses,  and  not  a  willing  mind ;  and  were  you  in  the 


(  514  ) 


ecar  of  God,  these  words  you  would  nottitter  against 
yoiirselves  a  witness;  for  these  are  not  the  words  of 
Children  of  Love,  nor  obedient  Servants,  but  of  such 
as  are  without. 

Therefore  in  truth  of  heart  consider,  what  state 
you  are  in.  and  who  is  your  father,  and  hath  power  in 
you,  who  thus  speak  ;  can  you  do  evil  with  both  hands, 
live  to  your  lusts,  serve  the  world,  compass  the  earth 
for  your  profits  and  pleasures,  with  power,  wisdom,  and 
,  delight;  and  have  you  not  power  to  do  well?  Now 
should  you  see  your  strong  captivity,  and  how  you  are 
degenerate  from  God,  and  the  end  of  your  creation, 
'  ith  your  whole  strength,  and  become  altogether  rep- 
jbate  to  God's  service;   and  for  this  should  your 
I  hearts  be  smitten  with  sorrow,  did  you  love  God  or 
his  true  worship,  and  that  evil  tongue  you  would  bri- 
,dle,  and  your  eyes  you  would  limit  from  vanity,  your 
ears  from  pleasure,  and  your  hearts  from  deceit,  that 
so  yon  might  onlv  hearken  to  the  light,  if  by  any  means 
you  might  come  to  hear  the  voice  of  him  that's  sent 
j  into  the  world;  to  call  you  from  under  the  power  of 
•  saian  unto  the  living  God,  by  preaching  light  to  you 
who  sit  in  darkness,  and  are  dead  while  you  live;  nei- 
ther can  you  be  quickened  till  you  hear  the  voice  of 
the  son  of  God,  which  the  deceiver  keeps  you  from  in 
your  worldly  pleasures,  long  prayers,  and  a  lying  pro- 
i  fession,  taking  the  saint's  words  to  cover  you  from 
I  true  judgment,  but  have  not  their  spirit  nor  power  to 
live  their  lives;  ,nor  are  vou  plants  of  that  root  and 
nature  which  brings  forth  to  God,  as  he  is,  in  whom 
there  is  no  change:  and  this  is  not  the  sacrifice  that 
God  accepts,  which  is  brought  in  the  unclean  vestiel 
without  his  power  and  renewed  strength. 

Wherefore  that  nature  whic  h  is  become  so  wholly  un- 
profitable, should  be  denied  its  will,  and  its  way  stop! ; 
and  to  that  seed  you  should  die  which  rules  in  that 
I  strength  you  have,  and  runs  to  and  fro  to  seek  for  it- 
;  self,  but  seeks  not  God  first;  and  to  that  which  is  pure 
I  must  you  turn,  and  therein  wait  for  the  anointing,  and 
I  the  rising  of  the  holv  seed  ;  for  it's  the  mof^t  holv  that'^f 

'  6r» 


(  514  ) 


anointed  to  rule  in  you,  e're  you  can  know  Christ  in 
you;  and  without  Christ  you  can  do  nothing;  and 
that  seed  which  is  neither  willing  nor  able,  is  not  he, 
but  is  the  seed  of  the  evil-doer,  as  is  manifest  by  hie 
fruits,  which  must  be  denied,  his  thoughts,  his  words, 
his  profession,  his  prayers,  his  lusts,  his  sin,  and  his 
righteousness,  for  it's  all  of  one  nature,  and  stands  up 
in  you  to  withstand  the  coming  of  the  seed  of  the 
covenant,  Christ  Jesus  the  life  of  God,  and  light  of 
men,  which  hath  God's  power  which  was  in  the  be- 
ginning, God's  righteousness,  and  is  to  all  generations; 
whom  the  heavens  must  receive  until  the  end  of  all 
these  things,  and  the  restitution  of  the  creation  to  God, 
till  which  you  cannot  know  his  appearance  in  you 
without  sin,  who  died  for  sin. 

Whose  light  (as  is  before  declared"^  shews  you  his 
law,  and  the  spirit  of  prophesy  testifies  of  him  to 
come,  whose  way  before  his  face  must  be  prepared 
[if  you  have  ears  to  hear  and  understand;]  and  all 
your  crooked,  untoward  wanton  ways  must  be  made 
straight,  and  your  hidden  subtle  ways  made  plain; 
and  the  refiner's  fire  must  pass  through  your  house, 
and  take  hold  on  all  that  will  burn,  till  it  be  consum- 
ed; for  till  the  filth  be  purged  out,  and  an  end  made 
of  sin,  God  dwells  not  in  his  temple,  nor  is  everlasting 
righteousness  brought  in  for  an  inheritance  to  eternal 
life. 

And  here  will  you  come  to  learn  the  first  principle 
of  pure  religion  and  the  doctrine  of  the  beginning  of 
Christ,  and  the  foundation  of  repentance  from  dead 
works  laid  in  you,  then  will  you  see  what  kind  of 
treasure  your  wanton  careless  minds  have  treasured 
up  in  your  vessels,  and  your  deceitful  and  unprofita- 
ble words  and  works,  you  will  then  see,  by  that  which 
will  not  lie;  then  will  you  find  that  all  will  fail  but 
truth ;  and  what  you  have  gathered  by  craft  and  de- 
ceit, will  stand  in  no  stead,  but  will  deceive  you :  truth 
in  the  inward  parts  must  be  your  stay,  if  any  you  find, 
for  to  that  rock  you  will  be  forced  to  fly  in  the  end  for 
refuge,  when  all  else  is  weighed  and  found  too  light 


(   515  ) 

.0  abide  the  trial,  though  now  it  be  lightly  esteemed^ 
and  you  say  it's  not  able  to  save;  it's  that  light 
within  that  must  give  you  the  knowledge  of  God  in 
the  face  of  Jesus,  nothing  without  will  make  your 
peace,  but  that  which  works  in  you,  that  must  cleanse 
the  house  of  your  adversary,  and  ordain  peace  for 
vou. 

And  this  is  that  which  made  the  holy  men  of  God, 
who  have  gone  before  you  in  this  regeneration,  to 
preserve  a  clean  house  and  a  pure  conscience,  above 
all  that  the  world  can  afford  or  promise,  knowing  that 
in  the  day  of  trial  all  will  prove  a  lie,  but  what  is 
truth  in  the  inward  parts;  and  that  none  are  true  wor- 
shippers, but  who  worship  the  father  in  the  spirit  and 
m  truth:  and  the  whole  mystery  of  faith  and  of  godli- 
ness is  learned  within,  and  holden  in  that  which  is 
.pure;  and  ihe  pure  in  heart  only  see  God,  and  have 
heard  and  learned  of  him;  and  such  are  sons  indeed, 
who  are  born  of  the  spirit,  and  led  by  the  spirit,  and 
filled  svitlVthe  spirit;  and  these  have  power,  light  and 
understanding  to  do  well,  who  have  that  of  God  in 
,  them,  which  is  holy,  and  that  spirit  which  the  devil  is 
not  able  to  resist;  and  every  child  oi  God  hath  this 
in  their  measure,  by  which  they  resist  the  world  and 
.  overcome  it,  even  that  which  is  born  of  God  ;  that  only 
f  overcomes,  which  is  faithful  and  will  not  forget  him- 
I  self:  blessed  only  are  they  who  have  of  this  in  them  in 
I  the  evil  times,  which  God  cannot  forget,  iior  suffer  to 
;  be  tempted  above  measure,  such  only  have  that  elec- 
I  tion, for  whose  sake  the  spirit  or  soul  is  saved:  and  in 
this  only  doth  the  creature  find  favour  in  the  sight  of 
God  in  the  day  of  vengeance,  when  God  ariseth  to 
plead  with  all  the  earth  for  their  wickedness ;  a  seed 
shall  be  saved,  but  that  is  not  it  which  saith  and  doth 
not. 

And  therefore  think  of  this,  all  you  who  mock  at  a 
pure  conscience,  and  reject  that  of  God  within,  and 
speak  lightly  and  reproachfully  of  it;  did  you  know 
I  whom  you  reproach,  and  against  what  it  is  you  sport 
I  yourselves,  you  would  rather  gnaw  your  tongues  than 


(    518  ) 


atier  a  word  against  it ;  you  would  change  your  minds, 
and  seek  it  with  those  that  seel  all,  that  they  may  find 
it;  though  it  be  little  in  you,  (as  to  you)  so  that  you 
dare  not  trust  to  it,  yet  all  that  have  proved  it,  prize  it 
as  the  great  power  of  God  to  salvation;  and  whether 
you  can  receive  it  or  no,  you  have  no  election  hut 
what  is  in  it;  in  this  did  Noah  find  grace  in  the  sight 
of  God,  when  the  earth  was  corrupted ;  and  Noah 
walked  witli  God,  and  was  just  and  perfect  in  his 
generation,  and  in  that  which  was  just  and  perfect  he 
was  saved ;  and  in  the  righteous  seed  which  was  griev- 
ed with  the  uncleanness  of  Sodom,  was  Lot  saved, 
Now  if  you  can  read  your  election  you  may,  it's  only 
that  which  was  before  sin  was,  that  is  grieved  at  sin, 
and  testifies  in  man  against  uncleanness ;  and  this  seed 
stands  elect  before  the  world  was,  if  you  can  receive 
it,  and  make  it  sure,  you  may,  but  you  which  say,  you 
have  not  power  to  do  well,  and  deny  his  call,  cannot 
do  it. 

He  that  calls  out  of  sin,  and  the  soul  that  is  vexed 
because  of  sin, is  little  and  lowly  in  you;  but  the  God 
of  this  world  is  lofty,  strong  and  powerful  in  you,  and 
hath  lifted  up  your  hearts  on  high,  to  seek  great  things 
far  above  that  pure  principle  of  true  light  and  under- 
standing, which  God  hath  chosen  and  elected  to  him- 
sell',  and  wherein  he  will  commune  with  man,  and 
teach  him  his  fear  and  knowledge,  and  give  him  re- 
newed strength,  and  of  his  spiritual  power,  and  salva- 
tion from  sin. 

And  now  your  lofty  looks  are  too  high  for  this  door 
and  the  day  of  this  small  and  simple  one  you  despise  , 
these  waters  are  too  still  for  you  to  drink  on,  and  to 
stay  and  wait  for  great  things  where  so  little  is  seen, 
you  have  iiot  faith;  so  you  outrun  your  rest,  and  the 
poor  in  spirit  take  the  kingdom  before  you,  to  whom 
the  election  and  blessing  belongs. 

Now  consider,  you  that  are  lofty,  rich  and  high  mind- 
ded,  mind  the  calling  of  God  and  his  electien;  hath 
he  elected  the  rich  in  notion,  and  high  in  profession, 
the  proud  and  the  wanton?    Hath  not  he  chosen  the 


(519  ) 

veak  and  poor,  foolish  and  contemptible  to  confound 
ill  tl]is?  But  he  doth  not  confound  the  election,  the 
poor,  lowly  and  meek ;  the  pure  and  holy  in  heart  and 
soul  he  doth  not  confound  nor  shut  out,  but  he  that  is 
pure,  meek,  and  holy,  calls ;  and  the  soul  that  is  meek, 
lowly,  and  loves  holiness,  it  answers  in  all  conversa- 
tion, obtaining  grace  to  be  holy,  as  he  that  calls  is  ho- 
ly. Here  is  the  calling  made  sure,  and  the  election  by 
answering  thereto,  who  keeps  in  the  call,  and  in  ihe 
election,  which  was  in  God  before  transgression  was; 
but  you  that  deny  him  that  calls  you  out  of  darkness 
into  light,  by  the  power  of  his  holiness,  lowliness, 
meekness  and  truth,  manifest  in  spirit  in  you,  accor- 
ding to  the  gift  of  God  in  his  tender  mercy,  by  which 
this  springs  from  above,  as  was  in  the  beginning;  I  say, 
you  that  reject  this,  to  la)  hold  on  something  that  is 
set  up  without  you  since  the  beginning,  you  deny  your 
calling  and  election,  and  betake  yourseles  to  a  change- 
able thing,  which  the  election  is  not,  nor  he  that  call- 
eth  thereunto:  for  the  election  hath  been  preserved  in 
God,  when  all  the  world  else,  professions  and  people 
have  been  deceived,  defiled,  destroyed  and  changed. 
And  that  is  it  which  is  always  pure,  as  God  is  pure, 
and  changeth  not ;  and  he  that  goes  out  from  this,  doth 
not  make  it  sure  to  himself,  by  well-doing ;  for  the 
election  is  in  the  light  and  power  of  holiness,  and 
truth,  which  they  that  say  and  do  not,  are  out  of. 

Therefore  return  from  off  the  mountains,  you  that 
have  lifted  up  yourselves  on  high  without  God,  who 
have  a  form  without  the  power  of  God,  and  feel  after 
that  which  is  pure,  lowly  and  just  in  you,  for  God  is  a 
spirit,  and  in  the  spirit  and  truth  is  he  known  and  serv- 
ed, and  there  is  his  counsel  received,  in  that  which  is 
truth  in  your  inward  parts:  feel  that  which  never  sin- 
ned near  you,  then  you  draw  near  to  God  in  spirit,  and 
keep  there,  and  wait  and  hearken,  what  the  spirit 
saith,  which  never  sinned,  with  that  principle  in  you 
which  would  not  sin,  with  that  wait  upon  the  holy 
spirit,  and  mind  his  motion  continually,  and  be  obedi- 
ent thereto,  that  you  may  once  come  to  serve  the  liv- 


ing  and  not  the  dead,  that  you  may  be  able  to  say  . 
**your  Redeemer  liveth,"  and  that  you  know  him,  and 
liave  heard  his  voice  that  is  holy,  as  God  is  holy,  that 
is  lowly  and  meek ;  and  that  you  have  learned,  and  do 
always  learn  of  him,  and  arc  joined  to  him,  that  you 
may  become  conformable  to  him,  that  liveth  and  siu- 
nethnotiand  this  appearance  will  be  your  daily  sal- 
vation and  peace,  and  daily  growth  and  increase  in 
God,  and  make  this  sure  to  you  in  that  principle 
which  would  not  sin  for  gaining  the  whole  world:  so 
shall  you  not  loose  your  election  nor  your  calling,  but 
an  entrance  thereby  will  be  daily  ministered  into  the 
kingdom  everlasting,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  the  light>. 
and  truth,  and  power  of  God, 

But  if  you  go  out  to  any  other  thing  for  help  or 
counsel,  then  that  spirit  which  is  pure,  which  is  Just, 
which  is  meek  and  lowly  as  God  is,  which  is  righteous 
by  nature,  and  springs  in  you  to  bring  forth  fruit  ol 
itself,  to  God  alone,  in  that  principle  which  is  pure  and 
clean,  then  you  go  from  the  fountain  of  living  waters 
to  dig  for  yourselves,  and  into  your  own  works,  and 
what  you  bring  forth  is  your  own  righteousness,  and 
not  that  which  is  revealed  from  above,  to  all  genera- 
trions  of  God  elected;  and  you  will  go  througli  your 
work  hard  breasted,  and  when  you  have  brought  it 
forth,  it  will  not  satisfy  that  in  you  which  hungers  to- 
ward God,  only  it  will  puff  up  that  nature  which  is 
selfish,  and  exalt  that  which  is  too  high  already  to  re- 
ceive life  from  God;  and  this  righteousness  God  ac- 
cepts not,  nor  is  it  everlasting  to  all  generations,  which 
is  brought  in  by  works  and  not  by  virtue  of  the  divine 
nature  springing  freely  in  you  from  an  eternal  spirit, 
which  those  who  are  entered  into  rest,  and  keep  the 
Sabbath  holy,  are  freely  fed  with,  and  covered  over, 
who  are  ceased  from  their  own  works,  their  works  be- 
ing wrought  in  God,  and  in  him  are  brought  to  light, 
where  the  holy  child  is  born,  and  the  son  of  God  mani- 
fest, through  that  spirit  which  the  world  neither  seeth 
nor  knoweth,  which  gives  to  see  and  inherit  God  and 
2;odliness  in  a  clean  nature  and  vessel- 


(  519  ) 


Which  birth  if  you  desire  to  be  born  of,  then  cease 
from  flesh  and  blood,  and  whatever  that  can  do  for 
you  within  and  without,  that  is  defiled;  and  in  that 
which  calls  and  convinceth  you  of  sin,  wait  and  be 
faithful,  till  you  find  a  life  and  desire  quickened  in  you ; 
which  can  favour  or  delight  in  nothing,  but  that  which 
is  as  God  is,  pure,  just  and  holy,  and  loaths  whatever 
is  contrary,  and  cannot  join  to  it  in  thought  word  nor 
action;  for  this  is  the  life  which  quickens  you,  if  ever 
you  feel  it  niove  and  breathe  in  you,  and  its  spiritual 
birth,  which  as  it  grows  in  the  vessel,  is  to  be  heir  of 
the  heavenly  treasure,  which  though  at  first  it  be  weak 
as  a  child  without  understanding  or  full  strength;  and 
you  not  knowing  what  way  it  is  ever  like  to  come  to 
have  all  the  power  and  dominion  in  you,  by  reason  of 
the  abundance  of  corruption  that  is  above  in  you  and 
the  strong  bonds  of  iniquity  that  rules  in  your  flesh, 
which  all  war  against  the  resurrection  of  this  innocent 
birth,  and  by  which  the  strong  man  keeps  the  house, 
with  much  subtility  and  spiritual  wickedness,  against 
the  pure  and  simple  life;  yet  if  you  do  but  abide  in 
that  which  first  gave  you  light  to  the  quickening  of  it, 
and  be  obedient  thereto,  it  will  bring  you  a  way  you 
know  not;  and  though  you  may  come  through  great 
travails  and  temptations,  and  many  fiery  trials  and 
tribulations,  where  you  may  be  sifted  and  winnovi^ed, 
yet  shall  not  one  grain  of  that  pure  seed  perish  and 
fail  in  the  way,  for  that  spirit  of  light  and  truth  will 
lead  you  in  his  light  and  in  his  truth,  which  hath  been 
tried  in  that  way  for  many  generations;  for  Christ  Je- 
sus, the  light  and  salvation  of  ages,  hath  overcome  the 
devil  and  the  world,  and  all  the  power  of  darkness,  for 
all  that  are  sanctilied ;  and  now  is  come  to  do  it  in 
you,  and  that  you  may  inherit  the  purchased  posses- 
sion, and  sit  with  him  in  heavenly  places  also:  so  that 
t  your  work  is  faith  and  obedience,  and  patience  towards 
?  him  who  is  that  spirit  and  light  in  you ;  and  to  him 
must  you  give  up  life  and  all,  who  will  confound  your 
corrupted  wisdom,  and  blind  his  adversary,  that  he 
may  give  light  to  them  that  are  vet  under  the  shadow 


(   522  ) 


of  death,  and  build  up  in  you  the  way  of  peace;  and 
you  shall  no  more  live  by  your  works  and  gifts  natural; 
but  because  he  liveth  in  you,  shall  yo'i  live  also;  and 
your  life  will  be  that  which  is  begotten  of  God  which 
never  dieth;  and  this  will  he  do  for  as  many  as  give 
up  themselves  wholly  to  him,  whose  light  leads  out  of 
sin;  this  is  the  king  of  saints  and  holy  life,  if  you  will 
receive  him,  he  hath  the  power  of  God. 

But  you  that  pray  and  profess,  and  seek  abroad, 
and  cry  for  help,  but  know  not  him  who  hath  help  in 
his  hands  for  you,  in  him  alone  to  wait,  that  in  all 
things  you  might  observe  him:  you  worship  you  know 
not  what, nor  where;  and  while  in  words  you  talk  of 
God  that  liveth,  in  works  you  deny  him,  and  give  your 
strength  to  the  dead,  and  not  to  the  living.  Should 
not  every  man  know  his  God  liveth  in  him,  and  go  to 
his  own  God  for  life,  according  to  the  manifestation  of 
the  spirit  of  truth  given  to  profit  withal  in  every  crea- 
ture to  God-ward?  And  this  God  that  liveth,  who  is 
just,  holy  and  true,  should  you  hear,  and  know,  and 
learn  of,  not  of  dead  forms,  but  the  power  of  the  spir- 
it of  life,  whose  word  giveth  life,  to  as  many  as  have 
that  ear  open,  to  hear  the  living  spirit,  and  can  sa- 
vour the  living  from  the  dead. 

Now  whatever  you  look  to  for  life  and  salvation, 
which  is  not  in  this  spirit  and  power,  it's  that  which 
kills  and  devours  your  strength  to  no  purpose;  for  no- 
thing gives  life  but  the  spirit,  it's  the  pure  spirit  that 
feeds  the  hungry  soul  with  bread  of  life;  and  to  that 
you  should  give  up  all  you  have  and  are;  in  hearken- 
ing and  obeying  spend  your  time,  and  all  your  strength 
to  increase  in  the  life  that's  bread  indeed.  But  when 
you  give  your  strength  to  customs  and  forms,  and  car- 
nal rudiments,  vain  pleasures  and  delights,  and  set 
your  minds  on  these  visible  things,  then  you  spend 
your  strength  for  that  which  is  not  bread,  and  labour 
for  that  which  profits  not  to  life  eternal,  nor  can  car- 
nal things  give  an  entrance  into  the  most  holy;  but  in 
that  which  is  pure  should  you  wait,  that  he  may  open 
to  you  the  door  of  life;  I  am  the  door,  the  truth  and 


(   ^^^21  ) 


the  life,  saith  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  not  carnal,  who  is 
pure  clean  and  lowly,  and  meek  in  spirit,  who  is  in 
you  except  ye  be  rebrobates;  and  if  any  man  have 
not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his. 

Mind  and  consider  well  the  spirit  of  Christ  in  you, 
that's  he  that's  lowly  in  you,  that's  meek  in  you,  that's 
just  and  holy  in  you:  mind  this  spirit  in  you,  and  then 
whither  will  you  run,  and  forsake  the  Lord  of  life? 
Will  you  leave  Christ  the  fountain  which  should  spring 
in  you,  and  hunt  for  yourselves?  Should  you  not 
abide  within,  and  drink  of  that  which  springs  freely, 
and  feed  on  that  which  is  pure,  meek  and  lowly  in 
I  spirit,  that  so  you  might  grow  spiritual  men  into  the 
I  same  spirit,  to  be  as  he  is,  the  sheep  of  his  pasture? 
for  as  is  your  pasture,  so  are  you  filled.  High  carnal 
minds  seek  high  thmgs,  and  so  they  grow  lofty  and 
proud,  and  such  God  resists,  and  keeps  them  afar  off; 
but  the  poor  in  spirit  seek  truth  and  meekness,  and 
are  fed  thereof  at  the  table  of  the  Lord ;  meek,  and 
lowly  and  just,  and  faithful  are  all  his  household,  who 
feed  and  sup  with  him.  Now  mind  and  consider  your 
ways,  who  are  gone  out  unto  the  mountains  to  wor- 
ship and  feed  yourselves,  you  may  read  of  Israel's 
sin  in  going  out  from  the  temple,  in  which  the  Lord 
had  said  he  would  dwell,  and  be  enquired  of,  and 
they  built  altars  without  him,  and  there  called  upon 
him,  but  found  him  not,  for  which  he  rejected  their 
worships,  and  their  temple  also.  And  where  hath 
Christ  said  he  will  now  be  worshipped?  Is  it  not 
within?  For  saith  Christ,  the  true  worshippers  wor- 
ship the  Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth;  mind  it,  profes-, 
sors,  not  at  Jerusalem  will  he  be  inquired  of,  but  in 
spirit  and  truth;  and  the  body  is  the  temple,  as  he 
hath  said,  I  will  dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in  them; 
and  I  will  put  my  law  in  their  inward  parts;  and  all 
shall  know  me,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest.  Not 
in  temples  made  with  hands  doth  the  Godhead  dwell, 
whose  off-spring  we  are;  not  in  your  high  places  and 
steeple-house  churches,  but  in  that  which  springs  of 
him.     Can  von  read  this,  and  understand  it  aright? 

66 


(   522  ) 


in  that  which  springs  of  him  is  the  Godhead  and  pow- 
er known,  but  the  high-minded  are  too  far  off  it  to 
feel  it,  it's  the  poor  and  lowly  in  spirit  that  are  near 
it,  and  he  that  is  become  as  a  little  child  can  only  un- 
derstand it,  who  is  not  too  great  in  his  thoughts  t© 
hearken  to  that  which  is  little  and  pure  in  him;  by 
birth  and  nature  that  springs  of  God,  and  not  the 
i>eight  of  that  mind  which  halh  notions, but  not  the 
nature,  life  and  sonship,  begotten  and  born  of  God. 
A  sanctified  life  and  vessel  is  God's  off  spring ;  but  he 
that  saith  and  doth  not,  is  not  born  of  truth,  but  of 
fornication  and  falsehood:  so  read  your  birth,  and 
nature,  and  kindred,  with  the  truth:  it's  not  the  un- 
circumcised  in  heart,  nor  the  bastard,  that's  God's 
off-spring  and  child  of  his  love,  but  the  pure  and  clean 
in  heart,  mind  and  spirit,  hath  his  image.  And  if 
you  look  to  be  godly,  you  must  know  this  in  you,  else 
you  are  without  God  in  the  world,  having  neither  seen 
him,  nor  known  him  whom  you  seem  to  worship,  but 
are  alienated  from  him  in  your  minds,  and  in  your 
members,  and  in  your  whole  strength:  so  that  you 
have  neither  power  nor  understanding  to  do  well,  be- 
ing taken  captive  of  a  contrary  spirit  in  all  your  abil- 
ities of  spirit,  soul  and  body,  your  wisdom  perverted, 
and  understandings  darkened,  and  parted  from  the 
root,  whose  offspring  man  is. 

And  now  this  should  be  your  return,  to  sink  down 
to  that  which  is  holy  and  pure  in  the  light,  and  to 
that  give  up  your  whole  man,  and  all  you  are  and 
have;  and  no  more  consult  with  your  wisdom, nor  fol- 
low your  own  understanding,  but  let  that  in  you  that's 
pure  and  simple,  lead  you,  and  thereto  bow  and  bend, 
and  confess ;  and  this  will  be  your  restoration  to  God, 
to  give  all  you  have  to  the  holy,  who  when  he  hath 
befooled  your  cursed  wisdom,  and  brought  down  your 
high  conceits,  and  bound  the  strong  man,  and  tied 
the  colt  to  the  vine;  then  will  he  arise  in  power,  who 
is  meek  and  holy,  and  rule  in  your  strength,  parts 
and  wisdom,  having  purged  the  enmity  out,  and  re- 
viewed your  abilities,  and  you  will  have  all  restored 


(   523  ) 


again  manifolcl,  all  new,  and  clear,  and  able,  by  the 
power  of  the  holy  one,  who  will  reign  and  govern 
therein ;  and  you  shall  know  the  Lord,  whose  off-spring 
you  are,  to  be  both  root  and  head,  and  all  in  you. 
And  you  shall  say  no  more,  1  am  weak  and  can  do 
nothing,  but  all  things  through  him  that  gives  you 
strength:  for  the  devourer  shall  no  more  pervert  it, 
but  great  shall  be  the  holy  one  in  the  midst  of  you, 
if  this  you  can  believe  and  receive:  and  you  shall  no 
more,  as  you  have  done,  sow  for  the  devourer,  nor 
bring  forth  unto  blasting,  but  your  fruits  shall  arise  to 
God, who  will  receive  them  with  good  will;  and  your 
prayers  shall  not  return  empty,  when  he  hath  bent 
you  for  himself,  and  taken  away  the  accursed  thing 
from  amongst  you.  And  then  will  you  know  the 
Lord's  redeemed,  and  that  seed  which  is  elected  and 
blessed,  which  brings  not  forth  as  other  men,  and  you 
will  see  that  all  who  despise  the  day  of  small  things, 
neglect  their  own  mercy  [to  follow  the  teacher  of  lies] 
who  turn  not  at  his  reproof,  who  is  holy,  and  therefore 
worship  without  power. 

Then  will  you  know  the  life  and  power  of  redemp- 
tion and  sanctification,  and  justification,  and  renewing 
of  the  holy  ghost  in  you,  when  your  strength  is  re- 
deemed to  God,  your  wisdom  redeemed,  your  hearts, 
tongues,  eyes  and  ears,  and  all  you  have  redeemed 
unto  God,  into  that  which  is  holy,  to  be  guided  and  ex- 
ercised in  all  your  conversation,  possessing  your  ves- 
sels in  sanctification.  Here  is  that  renewing  of  the 
holy  ghost  known,  which  sanctifies  and  justifies 
through  the  redemption  of  the  body  and  mind,  and 
reconciliation  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  not 
known  to  be  Lord  but  by  the  holy  ghost;  that  spirit  of 
truth  which  leads  into  all  truth:  which  truth  is  a  wit- 
ness in  you,  against  you,  who  say  you  are  redeemed  to 
God  by  Christ  Jesus,  when  another  Lord  rules  in  you, 
and  leads  you  captive  into  sin,  by  which  Christ  Jesus 
is  denied  and  suffers  in  you,  and  by  which  you  are  sep- 
arated from  God,  and  in  a  nature  contrary  to  him: 
wherefore  to  that  must  you  come  which  changelh  your 


(  524  ; 


nature,  and  not  your  words,  an/»  lonns,  and  teachc. 
only,  but  which  begets  another  seed,  and  kills  that 
which  is  begotten  of  whoredom  and  hist,  wliich  is  af- 
ter the  prince  of  this  world ;  that  God  may  be  served 
in  his  own  spirit,  in  his  own  truth,  of  his  own  nature, 
of  his  own  begetting,  holy  as  he  is  holy  in  every  meas- 
ure and  growth  thereof:  that  so  the  least  of  his  chil- 
dren may  be  known  to  be  of  him,  and  separate  from 
the  world,  in  soul  and  in  body,  coming  out  of  the 
world,  bearing  his  image  and  reproach. 

And  as  many  as  honestly  desire  to  be  heirs  of  this 
holy  power  and  kingdom,  pafienly  wait  till  you  feel 
that  move  in  you  which  is  of  that  pure  nature,  and 
having  felt  it  alive  in  you,  rejoice  in  it  with  liope  and 
faith,  and  keep  therein,  and  be  not  discouraged,  be- 
cause of  the  littleness  of  it  in  your  present  sight,  nei- 
ther do  you  judge  and  measure  it  thereby;  for  you 
know  not  what  power  it  hath  with  God,  and  how  pre- 
cious it  is  in  his  sight;  and  what  it  will  obtain  for  you 
at  his  hands  in  the  time  of  need,  you  have  not  yet 
proved,  nor  can  you,  while  you  have  things  greater  in 
your  thoughts  than  it  to  run  to:  the  power  of  holiness 
and  truth  in  the  inward  parts  is  not  known  but  in  the 
depth,  when  the  fire  of  wrath  comes  upon  all  vain 
hopes, and  hypocritical  confidence,  when  all  that  is 
without  a  man  is  removed  far  away;  when  ail  rela- 
tions, friends  and  acquaintance  are  become  farther  off 
than  strangers,  and  whatever  thing  the  creature  seeks 
to  for  comfort,  turns  against  him,  and  adds  to  his  grief; 
then  is  known  the  power  of  holiness  and  truth  in  heart 
with  God,  and  a  clean  conscience  will  speak  peace; 
and  none  can  take  it  away  from  you,  if  you  abide  but 
in  it:  he  that  hath  proved  it  commends  it  to  you,  who 
liave  been  stript  of  all,  that  ye  might  learn  and  know 
the  treasure  of  life,  and  holiness  with  God.  Where- 
fore judge  not  that  which  is  holier  and  lower  than 
yourselves,  but  let  that  w^hich  isjust  and  holy,  judge 
that  which  is  above  it  in  you,  which  is  not  of  that 
nature. 


(  525  ) 


The  cause  why  it  is  so  little  esteemed  in  you,  is,  be- 
cause you  are  so  great  in  the  contrary  natune;  and 
the  proud  despises  the  poor,  and  the  rich  undervalues 
liim  that  is  better  than  himself.  And  this  you  will 
find  in  you,  if  you  measure  with  that  which  God  es- 
teems and  weighs  all  flesh  by  [to  wit]  by  that  which  is 
his  own, and  as  he  is  in  every  creature;  so  do  not  you 
judge  the  most  holy,  but  believe  and  obey;  for  the 
time  for  you  to  judge  is  not  yet  come,  till  the  most  ho- 
ly and  just  king  appear  to  be  king  in  you,  and  you  in 
l)im.  So  keep  in  that  which  is  holy  and  just,  and  grow 
in  him,  that  he  may  rule  in  you,  and  arise  through  the 
death  of  his  enemies,  to  be  greater  than  the  greatest, 
greater  than  the  world,  and  the  prince  of  it,  which  is 
the  devil,  wherein  is  all  unbelief,  false  fears  and 
doubting, and  exaltation  against  the  holy  one;  and  as 
these  towers  fall  which  are  lifted  up  against  the  Lord  ; 
so  his  way  will  become  a  plain,  and  truth  will  take 
his  place  in  you  as  king  and  Lord,  which  God  loves, 
which  the  unbelief  is  out  of  and  against;  and  as  the 
pure  arises,  you  will  find  a  change  in  your  mind,  in 
your  nature,  in  your  judgment,  and  in  your  government, 
and  you  will  come  to  know  that  your  kingdom  and 
power  with  the  highest  stands  in  the  anointing  of  the 
most  holy,  and  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you,  and 
the  poor  take  it. 

So  you  must  not  fix  your  faith  upon  that  which 
seems  great  and  strong  in  you,  because  it  is  so,  nor  be- 
cause it  is  likely, nor  because  it  promiseth  great  things ; 
but  believe  in  that  which  is  most  holy,  true  and  just 
in  you,  that  to  the  anointing  of  the  most  holy  you  may 
come  in  your  particular,  and  he  will  bring  you  into 
the  assembly  of  the  sanctified,  where  the  holy  one 
reigneth  over  all ;  for  it's  he  that  is  sent  into  the  world 
that  lies  in  wickedness,  to  gather  them  one  by  one  into 
sanctification,  therein  to  present  unto  God  as  many  as 
receive  him,  who  is  without  spot  or  blemish. 

And  all  the  world  take  notice  of  this  wherever  it 
comes;  this  is  he  whom  the  father  of  lights  hath  now 
sent  into  you  that  are  in  the  world,  the  holy  one  of  God, 


(   526  J 


i^ent  to  call  you  and  give  5^ou  light,  who  saith,  I  am  the 
Jight  of  the  world;  Hear  him,  and  believe,  that  you 
may  become  children  of  light  and  truth.  This  is  the 
glad  tidings  and  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  preach- 
ed to  you  in  the  world.  Professions  and  forms,  would 
limit  the  holy  one  to  themselves,  and  exclude  others  ; 
but  God's  gift  is  free  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  his  tender  is 
to  all  men,  who  would  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth ;  none  he  excludes, 
but  w^ho  will  not  receive  his  gift,  his  son,  the  most  holy 
which  calls  you,  who  through  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel  is  come  near  you ;  yea,  he  is  in  you  with  his 
light,  giving  you  to  see  the  way  out  of  darkness,  which 
no  other  thing  could  do  for  you ;  and  without  money 
or  pri^e  you  have  him:  If  you  receive  him,  and  keep 
his  sayings,  and  obey  his  movings,  he  will  dwell  in  you 
and  take  up  his  abode,  and  you  shall  know  that  the 
father  hath  sent  him  to  call  you  out  of  the  world  into 
the  light  of  life.  If  you  deny  him,  he  will  deny  you; 
if  you  receive  him,  the  father  will  love  you,  and  power 
from  above  will  be  given  to  become  the  sons  of  God. 
Wherefore  mind  that  spirit  which  calls  you  out  of  sin, 
out  of  the  world,  and  gives  you  light  to  see  what  is  sin 
and  deceit  in  your  own  hearts;  hearken  to  that  which 
is  holy,  and  would  not  have  you  do  evil,  that's  of  the 
holy  one,  and  the  most  high  in  you,  believe  in  him,  and 
follow  him;  believe  not  them  who  would  make  yo 
believe  you  have  him  not  in  you,  who  are  past  feelin 
in  themselves,  and  have  already  rejected  him;  but  you 
who  feel  him,  abide  in  him,  who  is  holy  in  you,  against 
all  unholiness  a  witness:  cut  not  yourselves  off  thro' 
disobedience  and  unbelief,  and  he  will  in  no  wise  cast 
you  out,  but  will  increase  your  light  through  obedience, 
and  purify  your  souls,  and  cleanse  your  bodies,  and 
work  in  you  mightily  in  truth  to  salvation ;  and  you 
shall  see  that  his  working  is  pure  and  good,  and  that 
which  none  else  can  do  for  you.  And  this  is  the  Lord 
your  righteousness,  though  yet  you  know  him  not  a? 
he  is. 


(   327  ) 


And  if  you  will  receive  the  most  holy,  this  is  your 
lime,  and  the  day  of  your  visitation  by  him,  whose 
light  is  now  rejected  of  the  builders  of  this  world,  and 
the  wisdom  of  the  wise  will  not  know  him,  nor  suffer 
him  to  rule  above  their  carnal  rudiments ;  nor  to  be  all 
in  their  hearts,  to  guide  with  his  light  to  salvation.  So 
to  the  out-casts  he  is  preached,  who  are  afar  off,  and 
have  not  sought  him,  you  is  he  seeking  with  his  light, 
if  you  reject  him  not,  he  will  make  you  to  see  light 
who  have  sate  in  the  region  of  death,  and  gross  dark- 
ness hath  covered  you.  Wherefore  hearken  to  him 
that  saith  come,  and  feel  that  spirit  that  draws,  that 
you  may  answer  his  love  freely,  as  it  is  freely  tender- 
ed; and  know  him  by  his  holiness,  that  it  is  he,  and 
let  his  unchangeable  witness  in  you,  in  the  night  and 
in  the  day,  persuade  your  iiearts  that  he  is  the  Lord 
who  changeth  not;  and  he  that  declares  unto  man  his 
thoughts,  his  name  is  the  Lord  of  hosts.  And  you  that 
withstand  his  appearance  in  spirit,  and  tell  people  that 
this  is  not  to  preach  Christ,  and  yet  profess  Christ  in 
you,  tell  me  what  Christ  is  in  people,  if  not  light  and 
holy  life,  and  a  faithful  witness  against  the  contraiy  in 
all  in  whom  he  liveth?  And  by  what  other  thing  may 
he  be  known  in  spirit,  life  and  power,  if  this  be  denied  ? 
Else  let  the  mouth  of  antichrist  be  stopped,  that  ihe 
simple  may  pass  on  the  right  and  living  way,  free  from 
such  who  will  neither  enter  the  kingdom  themselves,, 
nor  would  suffer  others,  who  have  always  resisted  the 
holy  ghostv 


'4 


tm.  FRUIT  OF  THE  FREE-BORN  CLEARED  PROM  LECAt 
PERFORMANCES,  AND  THE  CHILDREN  OF  BONDAGE 
SHEWED  THE  NATURE  OF  THEIR  WORKS. 


Children  of  this  world,  who  have  the  form  but  not 
the  power  of  godliness,  and  have  got  notions  of  Hfe, 
but  not  the  nature  and  spirit  thereof,  in  your  dark 
thoughts  from  an  unfruitful  spirit  you  judge  the  chil- 
dren of  light;  and  when  you  see  us  acting  in  the  life 
of  Christ  Jesus,  then  you  say  we  are  under  legal  per- 
formances, and  that  we  think  to  be  saved  by  our  works, 
and  that  we  do  it  to  merit,  and  the  like;  but  you  are 
greatly  mistaken  in  yourselves,  and  are  not  in  that 
spirit  which  doth  see  us,  or  can  judge  the  nature  of 
our  works,  nor  our  end  therein ;  wherefore  be  silent, 
and  hear  what  is  said  to  you,  if  you  have  an  ear  to 
heai  withal:  for  though  yourselves  be  dead,  withered 
branches,  cut  off  from  the  tree  which  is  good  by  na- 
ture, and  there  abide,  yet  it  is  not  so  with  such  as  are 
born  again  and  ingrafted  into  the  good  olive ;  for  he 
that  is  really  born  of  God,  knows  two  several  seeds 
and  natures,  which  spring  and  bring  forth  from  several 
roots,  and  after  their  several  kinds. 

Now  the  one  of  these  is  in  bondage  with  its  branch- 
es, and  brings  forth  unto  self,  from  some  outward  ob- 
servation, or  literal  command,  or  something  that  is 
carnal  or  visible  sets  on  work:  and  being  thus  set  on 
work,  to  do  things  contrary  to  your  life  and  nature, 
you  go  hardly  through  it;  and  if  you  attain  the  out- 
ward performance,  the  boaster  gets  up  to  glory  in  what 
you  can  do,  who  doth  all  for  self-ends,  and  so  look  for 
reward  above  such  as  you  think  cannot  do  as  you  have 
done.  Novi^  you  who  have  gone  no  further,  but  wea- 
ried yourselves  herein,  and  found  nought  but  bondage, 
are  turned  back  into  liberty  again;  and  you  judge  as 
you  have  found  in  yourselves;  so  you  say  all  good 
works  are  from  the  spirit  of  bondage,  boasting  about 
merit,  and  the  like. 


(   529  ) 

But  you  should  not  judge  the  children  of  light  after 
the  flesh,  your  measure  will  not  reach  that  birth;  for 
he  that's  born  of  God,  is  a  branch  of  another  root  and 
seed  than  you  know,  which  hath  another  nature  incli- 
ning to  God  from  whence  it  is,  as  the  other  inclines  to 
the  world,  whence  it  is.   And  as  the  natural  man  doth 
evil  naturally  with  delight,  his  root  and  life  being  so; 
so  the  spiritual  m^n  (in  his  measure)  doth  good  natur- 
I  ally,  after  his  root  and  life,  which  is  his  pleasure  and 
.  joy  to  bring  forth  from  the  good  root,  that  which  is  good 
by  nature ;  as  it  is  the  delight  of  the  other,  to  bring  fortli 
that  which  is  evil  by  nature:  for  as  is  the  heavenly, 
guch  are  they  that  are  heavenly;  and  it's  no  bondage 
for  the  heavenly  to  bear  heavenly  fruits,  but  to  the 
earthly  man  it  is,  being  against  his  nature:  wherefore 
saith  Christ,  either  make  the  tree  good  and  his  fruits 
.good,  or  the  tree  evil,  and  his  fruits  evil.  So  good  trees, 
evil  trees  and  fruitless  trees,  are  known  to  be  of  sev- 
leral  natures,  and  for  several  ends. 

So  this  is  but  your  own  darkness  that  thus  thinks, 
:and  with  evil  thoughts  you  judge  amiss.  Will  you 
say  of  such  as  are  really  planted  into  the  living  vine, 
that  their  fruits.  Which  freely  spring  from  thence,  are 
legal  and  bondage,  and  that  we  think  to  be  saved  by 
our  works,  and  by  our  own  righteousness,  &c.?  Nay 
these  are  the  fruits  of  such  who  are  saved  already; 
land  the  righteousness  of  God  is  given  to  us  who  are 
ceased  fr(Mii  our  own  works,  whose  works  are  no  more 
legal  but  spiritual,  free  and  not  bondage ;  and  he  that's 
in  Christ  is  fruitful  in  good  works,  and  free  therein  by 
birth ;  and  he  that  abides  in  Christ,  sins  not,  nor  is  his 
seed  of  the  evil-doei\  Could  you  understand  this,  you 
wjjKild  not  condemn  the  fruits  of  the  living,  with  such 
aFare  dead  while  they  live,  whose  fruit  is  withered, 
being  broken  off  from  that  which  is  good  by  nature, 
and  planted  into  that  which  is  wild  by  nature;  but  the 
spiritual  man  you  cannot  judge,  his  fruits  nor  freedom, 
his  off-spring  nor  his  end,  whose  fruits  judge  all  fruit- 
less trees,  yet  is  he  judged  of  no  man;  and  its  as  hard 
for  you  to  do  good,  who  are  accustomed  to  do  evil,  as 

67 


(  530  ) 


the  leopard  to  change  his  spots;  but  it  is  otherwise 
with  such  as  are  changed  already,  born  of  the  light, 
and  heirs  by  birth,  and  right  nature,  to  everlasting 
righteousness  and  truth:  it's  hard  for  such  to  do  evil, 
being  against  nature,  seed  and  sonship  which  is  in  God. 
And  though  this  you  cannot  believe,  yet  he  that's  born 
of  faith  can,  and  the  least  child  of  God  can  read  it  in 
his  measure,  who  knows  the  old  Adam  and  the  new; 
and  as  in  the  first  all  are  in  srn  and  bondage,  so  in 
the  second  are  all  made  righteous  and  free  to  God's 
work;  and  in  the  second  is  known  the  new  creation, 
wherein  dwells  righteousness,  as  God  hath  said,  I  will 
dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in  them:  And  will  you  call 
this  self-righteousness,  where  all  things  are  of  God, 
and  all  things  new?  Is  this  legal  and  bondage?  And 
if  any  man  be  in  Christ,  all  things  are  of  God,  and  it's 
God  that  worketh  in  us  of  his  good  pleasure  to  will 
and  to  do;  and  this  is  not  the  spirit  of  bondage,  but 
good  will  and  pleasure  which  God  worketh  freely 
in  us.    So  you  reproach  what  God  worketh  by  the 
hearing  of  faith,  and  not  by  the  letter,  which  right- 
eousness wrought  in  Abraham,  which  was  in  God  be- 
fore Abraham  was,  which  is  wrought  from  everlasting, 
and  elect  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  was. 
and  is  a  free  gift  to  all  that  by  Abraham's  faith  come 
out  of  the  world,  to  him  who  is  not  of  the  world; 
which  you  that  abide  in  the  world  inherit  not,  who  are 
in  self;  and  seeking  yourselves  in  what  you  do  to  God 
or  men,  how  can  you  believe,  saith  Christ?    And  you 
that  look  for  rewards,  are  not  in  that  spirit  which 
worketh  freely.    So  you  look  for  rewards  and  honour; 
teachers  and  people  are  all  for  rewards,  honor  and 
respect  of  persons;  and  in  that  nature  is  all  the  bon- 
dage, pretended  merits  and  rewards,  in  this  nature  out 
of  the  faith  of  Christ  Jesus,  who  went  from  place  to 
place  doing  good  freely, and  preaching  freely;  and  so 
will  all  do  who  are  born  to  true  freedom,  as  he  is  free, 
whose  life  you  speak  of,  but  know  it  not  by  birth  and 
virtue,  which  is  naturally  good,  as  the  first  (or  fallen) 
man,  is  naturally  evil. 


(  531  ) 


And  the  bondage  is  in  that  which  is  against  the  pmt 
iiature,  and  not  that  which  is  free-born,  and  the  law  is 
upon  the  transgressor,  and  him  that  is  degenerated  in- 
to that  nature  which  is  carnal  and  sensual ;  and  if  this 
man  do  any  thing  as  to  God,  it  is  from  something  that 
is  laid  upon  him,  not  in  spirit,  but  from  without;  and 
this  is  legal  and  in  bondage,  which  is  i\ot  in  the  free 
spirit,  which  doth  by  nature  the  things  contained  in 
the  law. 

And  little  it  is  that  such  would  either  do  or  know 
were  there  not  a  law  or  a  letter,  a  heaven  or  a  hell  to 
)ut  them  upon  works.  And  here  is  the  bondage  and 
fear  that  hath  torment;  but  with  the  spiritual  seed  it 
js  not  so,  who  are  begotten  and  born  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus,  in  wliom  they  receive  freely  as  the  branch  of 
the  root,  and  what  he  sends  forth  through  them  are 
fruits  of  the  spirit, against  which  there  is  no  law;  and 
this  is  not  legal,  but  spiritual  and  free,  who  are  a  law 
unto  themselves ;  and  there  is  no  law  against  the  seed, 
but  it  is  added  upon  the  transgressor  because  of  sin, 
till  the  seed  be  come;  And  where  the  seed  is  born  and 
rules,  that  creature  is  not  under  the  law,  letter  nor  tra- 
dition, nor  bondage,  but  led  by  the  spirit,  and  born  of 
that  nature  which  was  before  transgression  was,  by 
which  the  fruits  of  righteousness  are  brought  to  light, 
by  the  working  of  the  holy  ghost,  who  worketh  the 
will  and  deed  of  his  good  pleasure ;  and  with  the  same 
good  will  and  pleasure  it  is  brought  forth  without  bond- 
age or  constramt. 

And  in  whom  the  bonds  of  iniquity  are  broken,  the 
evil  world  ended,  and  all  things  become  new,  and  all 
things  of  God,  there  dwell|  not  self-righteousness,  nor 
1  'spirit  of  bondage ;  but  that  is  the  new  creature,  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus  created  unto  good  works,  and  not  in 
,  self;  and  the  heavens  new,  and  the  earth  new,  where- 
\  in  dwells  righteousness,  as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  re- 
vealed from  God  in  spirit  and  power,  without  the  law 
manifest,  to  which  the  law  and  the  prophets  bear 
witness,  having  foretold   what  glory  and  freedom 
should  be  revealed  in  the  latter  days  at  the  seeds 


(   532  ) 


a?p(jeaYiijg;  and  the  holy  scripture  testifies  of  this  hre 
and  power,  but  is  not  this  life,  but  the  spirit  gives  this 
life  and  freedom,  that  it  may  be  of  grace  freely,  and 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  who  is  that  spirit.  And  here 
is  the  boaster  and  self-excluded,  and  all  fruitless 
trees  condemned,  and  seen  to  come  short  of  the  glo- 
ry of  God,  of  whose  works  he  is  not  either  root  or 
off-spring. 

And  before  you  can  judge  of  this  freedom,  or  the 
nature  of  the  works  that  spring  thereof,  or  inherit  the 
power  that  brings  forth  this  righteousness,  you  mu^t 
own  the  judgment  of  him  that  condemns  the  man  of 
sin  in  you,  and  receive  him  for  your  law-giver,  which 
will  break  yoy  off  from  the  world,  and  vs^ould  have 
you  to  deny  the  forms  and  images,  and  bring  you  from 
under  its  power;  that's  he  that  breaks  the  house  of 
bondage,  and  sets  the  righteous  at  liberty,  to  bear  the 
fruits  which  are  of  God, 

And  thus  hath  Christ  sent  his  servants  to  seek  the 
lost,  and  tp  gather  them  from  among  briars  and  thorns, 
and  bring  them  to  Zion  one  by  one.  And  as  they 
were  gained  out  of  sin,  so  the  devil's  kingdom  fell, 
and  grew  weaker  by  every  servant  he  lost,  and  Christ's 
kingdom  increased,  until  the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
become  the  kingdom  of  righteousness,  wherein  the 
righteous  king  reigns;  and  out  of  cruel  mockings, 
scorning  and  bloody  persecutions,  they  gathered  the 
lost,  and  gained  them  to  God;  yea,  sometimes  pulled 
them  out  of  the  fire,  such  have  been  their  faith  and 
zeal  for  Christ,  and  his  holy  kingdom,  and  their  stead- 
fastness to  that  work  to  which  they  were  called  and 
hired ;  and  the  fury  of  the  adversary,  and  his  oppo- 
site power  against  him  in  his  servants,  hath  often 
reached  unto  blood,  rendering  evil  for  love  to  theii 
souls. 

Wherefore  take  heed  to  yourselves,  you  that  name 
the  Lord, and  call  him  master;  depart  from  iniquity, 
and  obey  the  good.  This  is  his  work;  if  you  be  his 
servants,  he  hath  called  you  to  holiness,  as  he  is  holy; 
and  that  you  turn  from  the  world,  and  repent  of  hi^ 


I  (   533  ) 

works  who  is  the  prince  of  it,  and  deny  him  and  them 
openly  and  in  secret.    If  you  will  serve  the  holy  one, 
you  must  bear  his  mark,  and  open  your  heart  to  him, 
and  your  mouth  for  him,  as  confidently  as  the  servants 
of  sin  do  for  it,  that  your  light  might  shine  against 
the  darkness  of  this  world,  in  the  face  of  the  perverse 
and  crooked  generation;  that  it  may  appear  to  all 
men,  that  the  ways  of  the  Lord  and  the  world  are  not 
,   one,  nor  their  servants  one,  nor  their  words  one,  nor 
'   their  garments  one,  nor  their  table  one;  in  all  things 
'   bearing  his  image  and  glory  above  his  adversary, that 
\    it  may  appear  whose  family  you  belong  to,  and  what 
i    is  his  glory  who  hath  hired  you,  and  what  is  the  work 
of  your  Lord  in  the  world. 

And  herein  may  all  people,  as  in  a  glass,  see  your- 
selves, and  what  you  are  to  God  in  this  his  day,  and 
what  against  him.  These  are  the  two  masters,  which 
Christ  tells  of,  which  none  can  serve,  but  the  one  he 
hates  who  serves  the  other;  so  now,  who  hath  hired 
you?  whom  do  you  serve  and  whom  do  you  hate? 
is  it  the  world  you  serve?  Then  you  hate  Christ: 
is  it  Christ?  Then  you  deny  the  world.  And  these 
are  plain  things,  and  you  may  read  as  you  go,  if  you 
will,  whose  business  you  go  about,  and  whose  hand 
you  strengthen.  If  you  commit  sin,  and  plead  for  it, 
then  you  war  against  him  that  is  manifest  tD  destroy 
sin;  and  if  you  say,  sin  must  live  in  you  v/hile  you 
live,  then  while  you  live  the  devil  must  have  a  place 
and  power  in  you,  and  a  kingdom  as  long  as  you  live ; 
and  if  you  believe  to  overcome  sin,  then  yoi:  w^ait  for 
the  kingdom  of  God,  which  consists  in  righteousness, 
and  believe  to  see  it,  and  seek  it  daily  with  ycur  whole 
heart ;  for  it  is  not  words  which  take  the  kingdom,  but 
power  of  faith  against  the  evil  one. 

Neither  is  it  forms  and  professions,  or  any  outward 
thing  that  can  vanquish  the  devil;  for  he  is  a  spirit, 
and  by  a  spiritual  power  must  he  be  resisted;  and  the 
weapons  must  be  spiritual  and  mighty  through  God, 
which  casts  down  his  seat  in  man;  though  many  are 
led  out  from  form  to  form,  and  deny  that  power  of 


(  ) 


God  in  them,  and  obey  the  power  ot  shi  in  them,  not 
knowing  that  power  which  lays  the  axe  to  the  root  of 
the  evil  tree, out  of  which  all  the  evil  springs;  and 
these  are  manifest  to  be  such  as  are  not  hired:  what- 
ever your  forms  may  be,  which  you  choose  and  change, 
you  are  but  in  the  market-place  at  the  best, not  yet  come 
into  the  vineyard  of  God,  till  you  be  seton  work  against 
sin,  to  pluck  up  and  cut  down  every  evil  thing  thai 
offends  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  with  his  spiritual  light 
and  power;  which  kingdom  is  within  you ;  and  that 
which  offends  is  within  you,  and  that  which  is  offen- 
ded is  within,  and  that  which  is  lost  is  within,  and 
there  to  be  S(>ught;  and  the  pearl,  and  the  seed, -and 
the  word,  and  the  lavv  of  the  spirit  of  life,  and  the 
covenant  is  within;  and  this  is  not  seen  nor  believed, 
nor  can  it  shine  forth  till  the  house  of  God  be  swept, 
and  the  fruit  of  darkness  denied,  and  the  light  oi 
Christ  turned  to,  and  the  just  obeyed,  which  gives  to 
see  the  anjust,  and  power  against  him,  when  the 
ground  of  darkness  is  removed  by  the  working  oi 
faith. 

And  as  many  as  be  called  to  this  work,  and  enter- 
ed into  it  in  truth  and  faith,  must  not  be  idle,  but  obey 
the  spirt  of  life;  till  the  house  be  cleansed,  and  the 
unclean  wrought  out,  and  the  pure  exalted,  and  then 
is  the  rest  holy ;  and  then  you  will  find  your  rest  with- 
in you,  and  your  God  near  you,  and  your  souls  to  dwell 
at  ease  vith  God  in  your  own  habitation,  whose  tem- 
ples you  are,  if  this  you  obtain  by  faith  in  him  that 
calleth  and  quickeneth  you  to  holiness;  and  the  fruit 
is  the  Lord's  and  so  is  the  seed,  and  the  safety  forev- 
er, to  all,  and  in  all  that  abide  therein. 

And  this  is  not  self-works,  nor  self-will,  but  pure 
faith  and  obedience  to  the  seed,  or  living  word  of  God, 
(which  in  you  wars  against  the  world,  and  every  sel- 
fish fleshly  lust  and  delight,)  which  is  the  seed  of  the 
holy  covenant,  vi^hich  seed  is  Christ,  the  holy  and  just 
one,  if  you  can  receive  it.  This  is  he  that  makes 
clean  and  keeps  you  so,  as  many  as  obey  and  walk  in 
him,  and  from  his  spirit  receive  your  law,  which  spirit 


(  535  ) 


^iveth  you  his  life  to  inherit  here  on  earth ;  if  you  walk 
in  the  spirit,  you  shall  not  live  to  the  flesh.  And  in 
this  life  and  knowledge  truly  learned,  is  answering 
that  common  objection  which  the  spirit  of  the  world 
makes  atj;ainst  the  holy  life  and  kingdom,  saying,  if  it 
were  possible  that  we  could  live  without  sin,  then  we 
need  no  saviour,  yea  the  same  that  cleanses  the  house 
must  keep  it  so;  and  he  that's  the  death  of  sin,  is  the 
life  of  righteousness,  and  the  same  light  and  fear  of 
God  which  leads  to  the  putting  off  the  old  man  with 
his  affections  and  evil  works,  leads  to  put  on  the  new 
man,  and  so  to  walk  in  Christ,  which  is  renewed  after 
the  image  of  him  that  created  him,  where  Christ  is  all 
in  life  and  guiding ;  and  the  good  man  keeps  the  house, 
not  the  strong  man;  and  how  can  that  man  say  he 
needs  no  saviour,  who  can  do  nought  without  him, 
whose  righteous  life  is  both  food  and  raiment,  and  his 
Jight  their  armour  daily,  against  the  evil  in  this  world 
in  every  thought,  word  and  work?  And  in  whom  this 
is  not  so,  Christ  is  not  all ;  and  in  whom  it  is  so,  they 
are  complete  in  him,  and  do  not  say  they  have  no  need 
of  him,  but  confess  him  in  them  their  head  and  glory  ; 
and  this  is  the  kingdom  of  God  upon  earth,  and  the 
I  king  in  his  kingdom,  which  you  that  resist  in  your 
faith  and  practice,  deny  the  Lord,  and  his  power,  and 
his  faith,  and  his  prayer,  which  is,  thy  kingdom  come, 
thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven,  where  na 
sin  is. 

And  this  further,  to  all  you  that  in  words  profess 
Jesus  Christ  to  be  your  Lord  and  master;  let  it  be  in 
truth  and  righeousness,  that  you  may  have  his  witness 
thereto,  who  is  pure  and  clean,  and  cannot  join  to  evil, 
but  is  an  open  witness  against  every  appearance  of  it; 
and  so  are  all  his  servants,  whom  he  hath  hired  and 
sent  into  the  world ;  in  what  place  or  employment  so- 
I  ever  you  are  in,  if  you  be  his  servants,  you  are  chiefly 
about  his  work, and  not  your  own.  Now  his  work  is 
manifest  in  every  appearance  of  his  in  this  world  ;  it  is 
against  sin,  and  to  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil  out 
of  this  world,  mind  this,  to  destroy  the  works  orf  the  dev- 


(   536  ) 

is  out  of  this  world,  that  so  the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
may  become  the  kingdoms  of  Christ  Jesus, and  the  most 
holy  one  may  rule  and  bring  forth  fruits  therein.  Now 
his  servants  are  known  by  this,  that  they  stand  for  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  in  this  world,  and  his  works,  and  a- 
gainst  all  the  works  of  the  devil  in  this  world,  that 
Christ  may  destroy  and  bring  down,  and  make  an  end 
of  sin  in  this  world;  and  the  servants  of  the  devil  are 
known  in  the  contrary,  by  being  in  his  work,  which  is 
to  keep  sin  in  this  world  while  people  live,  and  this  is 
the  strength  of  his  kingdom;  take  away  sin,  and  take 
away  his  kingdom  here,  and  his  power  here,  and  his 
place  here;  for  where  he  is  resisted  he  flies,  but  where 
he  is  received  he  sets  up  his  throne,  and  takes  pleas- 
ure in  his  servants,  and  they  in  his  works;  which  is  to 
increase  deceit  and  vanity  in  them,  and  to  fill  their 
hearts  with  every  lust;  and  so  strongly  carry  out  their 
hearts  thereunto,  that  they  have  no  delight  in  that 
which  is  contrary,  nor  can  believe  that  ever  any  can 
receive  power  in  the  spirit  of  Christ  against  him,  or 
such  redemption  as  to  overcome  him,  and  be  freed 
from  him  in  all  his  works  in  this  world:  and  here  is  an 
agreement  with  death  in  your  faith,  and  a  covenant 
confessed  with  unrighteousness. 

And  you  that  are  in  this  mind  and  belief,  you  are 
uoi  hired  of  Christ  Jesus  the  righteous,  nor  have  you 
received  his  faith,  which  is  pure,  as  he  is  pure;  and 
believes  unto  righteousness,  and  unto  victory,  and  not 
unto  sin:  and  that's  his  faith,  which  overcomes  the 
world,  and  the  prince  of  it,  and  resists  the  devil,  sted- 
fast  in  the  faith,  in  hope  of  victory  in  the  end ;  and  this 
feith  Christ's  servants  confess  openly,  which  faith  the 
world  cannot  receive,  but  confess  the  contrary  openly; 
and  so  you  are  kept  captive  at  his  will,  and  you  beliv© 
you  must  be  his  servants  while  you  live  here  in  this 
world:  and  this  faith  you  confess  openly  against  the 
victory  of  Christ;  and  herein  you  are  faithful  to  your 
own  master  whose  works  you  do,  and  plead  for,  and 
confess  his  faith,  which  none  of  the  servants  of  Christ 
ever  confessed  such  a  faith,  that  they  must  needs  serve 


(   537  ) 


sin  as  long  as  they  live;  for  tlie  youngest  and  the 
weakest  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  know  themselves 
hired  of  him,  they  know  his  work  is  to  destroy  sin  out 
of  the  world,  and  to  subdue  the  devil,  and  to  this  work 
they  arc  set  in  themselves,  by  faith  and  power,  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  and  they  labour  in  hope, 
having  tiieir  hearts  turned  in  them,  and  their  faces  set 
towards  hohness,  and  from  the  world,  and  are  set  on 
their  way  out  of  the  world,  which  is  Christ  the  life 
that's  holy^  and  lights  that's  pure;  and  to  this  the 
mind  is  kept  in  all  their  travails  and  tribulations,  and 
temptations,  which  work  in  them  by  faith  in  Christ, 
more  hope,  and  more  strength  daily;  and  every  trial 
that  happens  to  them  in  the  way,  gives  experience  and 
renewed  strength  against  their  adversary  the  devil, 
while  they  keep  close  to  Christ  in  faith  and  love;  and 
though  they  feel  the  devil  in  the  sensual  part  to  be 
strong  and  powerful,  and  past  their  strength  at  present, 
yet  they  yield  him  not  the  kingdom  for  that,  but  into 
the  faith  and  hope  and  patience  of  Christ  Jesus  they 
sink  down,  waiting  for  the  resurrection  of  that  life 
which  never  sinned,  but  was  oppressed  and  grieved 
when  sin  took  his  kingdom,  and  there  wait  for  the  ap- 
pearance of  Christ  without  sin  to  save  them  from  that 
power  of  death  which  wars  in  their  own  members,  to 
bring  forth  sin  in  this  world;  and  this  is  to  be  tru3  in 
their  service,  and  faithful,  who  wait  for  the  kingdom 
of  God  within  them,  and  righteousness  thereof,  and 
the  coming  of  their  Lord,  with  their  minds  girt  up  with 
holiness,  and  hearts  stedfast,  not  to  consent  to  the  least 
work  of  the  devil,  if  it  would  gain  the  whole  world  in 
the  appearance  of  the  sensual  reason  and  wisdom. 

And  if  these  be  overtaken  with  a  fault,  it  is  not 
willingly,  but  as  servants  of  Christ  they  stand  against, 
it  to  the  utmost  they  then  see;  and  sin  being  a  work 
of  the  wrong  master,  they  abhor  it,  and  themselves  for 
it,  and  deny  it,  and  will  not  plead  for  it,  or  seek  to  hide 
it  in  them,  but  confess  it,  and  cannot  have  peace  till 
it  be  cleansed  out;  and  these  are  the  little  children 
who  have  an  advocate  with  the  father,  to  whom  sin  is 

68 


4 


(   538  ) 


a*  death,  and  dare  not  speak  a  word  for  it,  but  against* 
it  in  themselves  and  in  others,  and  these  appear  a- 
gainst  sin  openly,  and  confess  to  him  that  is  holy,  with 
all  their  hearts  and  words. 

But  what  a  difference  is  there  betwixt  one  of  these 
who  when  they  either  see  it,  or  are  told  of  their  offence 
against  the  Lord,  are  broken  before  the  least  reproof, 
into  tears  or  sorrow,  condemning  themselves  for  it,  and 
it  in  themselves  openly;  and  you  who  when  you  are 
reproved  for  sin,  which  is  both  open  and  known,  you 
set  yourselves  with  all  your  strength  and  wisdom  to 
plead  for  it,  and  like  the  devil,  bring  the  letter  to 
strengthen  yourselves  against  just  reproof,  and  with 
hearts  full  of  envy,  and  mouths  full  of  reproach,  you 
stand  up,  seeking  to  ensnare  them  that  reprove  you, in 
love  to  Christ's  kingdom,  and  your  souls,  and  to  re- 
cover you  out  of  the  works  of  satan,  that  his  kingdom 
might  fall  in  you,  and  so  he  have  fewer  subjects  left  in 
his  power,  and  you  be  added  unto  the  kingdom  of 
Christ,  by  being  brought  under  his  commands,  through 
denying  your  old  master,  and  confessing  and  condem- 
ning his  evil  works;  for  a  denying  of  the  devil  and  his 
works  there  must  be,  e'er  Christ  will  receive  you. 

And  thus  it  is  that  Christ  hath  taken  his  kingdom 
out  of  the  hand  of  his  adversary  in  the  world,  by  send- 
ing his  servants  into  the  high-w^ays  and  hedges  to 
gather  his  creatures  out  of  the  devil's  works,  by  true 
reproof,  and  testifying  against  them  wherever  he  led 
them,  for  which  they  were  torn  and  scratched,  and 
evil  entreated  by  that  evil  spirit  in  whom  it  had  pow- 
'er,asyou  now  do,  who  rise  up  against  reproof. 


CHRIST  JESUS  KNOWN    TO  BE  KING  IN  HIS  TEMPLES,  THROUQfi 
THE  POWER   OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST,  AND  SWORD  OP  THE 
SPIRIT,  LIFTED  UP  AGAINST  THE  MAN 
OF    SIN  IN  TRUE  JUDGMENT. 

You  who  look  for  the  kingdom  of  Christ  Jesus:  ix 
stands  not  in  observations,  words  and  forms,  but  in  the 
power  of  the  holy  ghost,  in  judgment,  in  truth  and 
righteousness;  if  you  would  know  his  appearance  to 
salvation,  wait  for  it  without  sin,  in  that  spirit  and  pow- 
er which  is  holy,  to  judge  and  condemn  sin  ;  this  is  his 
i  kingdom  with  men,  if  you  can  receive  it,  that  he  be 
known  in  his  spiritual  power  in  the  bodies  of  holy 
men  and  women,  to  dwell  and  walk  in  a  holy  life, 
a  witness  against  all  sin  by  the' breath  of  his  mouth 
and  sword  of  his  spirit;  and  therein  that  he  hath  pow- 
er and  consent  to  judge  all  contrary  spirits  within  and 
without,  and  all  contrary  actions;  and  whatever  op- 
poses him  in  this  his  kingdom  is  anti€hrist,  which  de- 
nies Christ  in  his  temples  and  house,  whose  house  and 
temple  is  the  new  creation  of  holy  men  and  women, 
and  in  whom  he  speaks,  dwells  and  walks,  as  saith 
the  scriptures;  in  whom  he  judges  the  prince  of  this 
wold,  and  all  his  out-goings  in  the  children  of  dark- 
ness, and  in  his  own  temples  shows  forth  his  nature 
and  virtue  a  witness  against  him  and  all  his  words; 
and  he  that  would  let  this,  is  antichrist,  who  sits  in 
the  temple  of  Christ  to  resist  the  holy  one,  and  cannot 
receive  the  judgments  of  Christ  against  sin  in  his  tem- 
ples, nor  his  witness  against  sin  to  salvation,  but  cries, 
do  not  judge  when  truth  speaks,  and  the  spirit  of 
Christ  testifies  against  sin  in  true  judgment;  and  this 
is  he  that  lets  and  withstands  the  coming  of  Christ 
without  sin,  who  withstands  him  in  his  temple,  and  de- 
nies his  righteous  judgment  against  sin,  and  blas- 
phemes, and  says  it  is  not  he;  nor  is  he  now  on  earth, 
nor  speaks  in  any  body  now  against  sin,  but  saith, 
thou  must  not  judge,  lest  thou  bo.  judged;  and  so 


(   540  ) 


through  deceit  would  turn  Christ's  words  against  hi& 
work,  who  saith,!  will  redeem  Zion  vvith  judgment ; 
and  Christ  did  not  speak  those  words  to  save  sin  from 
judgment,  when  he  saith,  judge  not,  that  ye  be  not 
judged,  nor  to  stop  the  mouth  of  truth  and  righteous- 
ness; for  then  had  he  contradicted  himself,  who  in  an- 
other place  commands  them  to  judge  righteous  judg- 
ment? And  he  is  manifest  to  destroy  sin,  and  not  to 
save  sin,  in  whomsoever  he  is  manifest;  and  for  this 
end  he  liveth  in  his  people,  which  antichrist  would 
make  as  though  he  lived  not,  nor  heard  or  spoke,  but 
as  a  dumb  idol  would  he  make  the  living  God,  for  peo- 
ple to  talk  on,  or  set  up  a  form  of  him,  to  make  void 
his  present  life  and  spiritual  power  in  his  people,  that 
he  should  not  show  forth  his  virtue,  and  give  forth  his 
laws  and  judgments  by  the  mouth  of  his  servants, 
against  the  works  of  his  adversary,  wherever  they  ap- 
pear in  his  eye. 

Therefore  you  professors  of  Christ  in  words  and 
forms,  seek  his  kingdom  in  you,  and  take  heed  that 
your  forms  withstand  not  his  powerful  appearance  in 
spirit;  his  kingly  authority  stands  in  his  heavenly  holy 
nature  and  virtue  in  spirit,  and  not  in  perishing  rudi- 
ments and  shadows  without.  Read  in  scriptures  how 
often  Antichrist  hath  deceived  people,  by  turning  these 
outward  forms,  to  let  the  spiritual  power,  and  so  have 
kept  people  in  words  without  life,  opposing  Christ  in 
his  kingdom:  so  in  the  first  place  mind  to  know  his 
spiritual  nature  and  virtue,  and  what  hath  povi^er 
against  sin,  in  word  and  in  deed;  therein  is  his  king- 
dom, and  there  is  his  glory,  and  therein  he  reigns. 

So  take  heed  how  you  let  that  spirit,  which  goeth 
out  against  sin  in  judgment  and  in  victory,  in  the  least 
of  his  people;  and  this  know,  that  his  kingdom  is 
spiritual  and  within,  and  holy,  and  these  are  his  testi- 
monies, laws  and  judgments,  which  he  sends  out  by 
the  mouihs  of  his  servants  as  he  sees  fit;  and  it's 
against  the  works  of  the  evil  one  he  testifies  in  judg- 
ment and  virtue,  for  that  is  his  nature,  and  to  that  end 
he  appears  oft  earth  to  destroy  the  devil  and  his  works. 


(  541  ) 


through  the  sword  of  his  spirit;  and  none  will  let  this 
but  Antichrist  and  his  servants,  whose  works  are  evil 
and  so  would  stop  the  mouth  of  truth,  and  voice  of 
Christ  Jesus. 

So  you  may  come  to  know  his  voice  from  his  tem- 
ple, when  you  hear  judgment  from  the  spirit  of  truth 
passing  against  pride,  and  lust,  and  all  the  works  of 
the  flesh,  and  to  destroy  them  out  of  the  world;  this 
is  his  voice  from  his  temples  in  which  his  throne  is, 
his  holy  kingdom  and  power,  and  that's  the  voice  of 
Antichrist  who  would  let  this,  and  says,  thou  must  not 
judge  when  sin  is  judged,  and  so  with  the  words  of 
Christ  would  save  the  works  of  the  devil  from  shame 
and  destruction;  and  now  there  be  many  Antichrists 
in  this  work  to  withstand  the  word  of  God  in  his  tem- 
ples, and  who  set  the  letter  against  the  spirit  to  keep 
up  sin,  and  to  silence  the  word  of  the  holy  ghost  that 
comes  out  of  his  house  against  it:  and  here  are  the 
children  of  the  holy  God  known,  and  the  children  of 
this  world;  the  one  seeks  to  cut  down  sin,  the  other 
to  save  it;  and  both  profess  Christ  in  words,  but  the 
end  of  their  work  makes  thenj  manifest. 

And  you  that  are  talking  of  Christ's  appearance^ 
where  will  you  allow  him  a  place  to  rule  in,  if  not  in 
the  heart  and  chief  place  in  man,  therein  to  judge 
and  govern,  and  speak,  and  give  out  his  laws?  Will 
you  allow  the  evil  one  to  utter  his  voice  openly  in  man. 
in  swearing,  lying,  and  cursed  speaking,  and  every 
evil  work,  and  must  Christ  be  silent  and  dumb  thereat 
in  his  vessels  when  he  sees  it?  Is  not  this  his  privi- 
lege in  his  redeemed  ones,  as  the  other  hath  his  pow- 
er in  his  captives,  that  in  them  he  may  judge  sin  as 
openly,  as  in  the  other  it  is  acted?  And  this  is  the 
reasonable  service  of  his  chosen  vessels,  to  give  up 
their  bodies  that  he  may  speak  and  act,  and  shew 
forth  his  virtues  and  life,  and  power  therein,  against 
the  spirit  of  the  world,  in  his  vessels;  and  were  it 
not  for  this,  none  of  the  holy  men  of  God  need  to  have 
suffered  nor  been  hated,  but  for  the  words  of  God  spo- 
ken by  them,  as  Christ  hath  said,  it  is  not  you  that 


(  r)42  ) 


speak,  but  the  spirit  of  your  father  that  speaks  hi  you ; 
and  this  is  the  voice  which  the  world  knows  not,  and 
so  would  stop  it,  and  says  it  is  not  the  Lord,  not  know- 
ing that  justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of 
his  throne  in  the  hearts  and  mouths  of  his  people. 
What!  must  not  the  spirit  of  truth  in  whom  he  lives, 
judge  deceit  and  falsehood  where  it  lives?  Must  not 
that  which  is  holy  judge  the  unclean?  Must  not  the 
lowly  one  judge  the  proud,  the  chaste  one  judge  the 
lust?  Must  not  he  that  is  spiritual  judge  all  things? 
Must  not  saints  judge  the  world?  What  a  nation 
would  you  have  this  to  be  who  would  root  out  judg- 
ment, and  yet  profess  Christ  in  you  ?  Is  Christ  in  that 
people  where  there  is  no  judgment  against  sin? 
What,  none  to  judge  pride  and  excess,  lying,  swearing, 
and  cursed  speaking,  false  ways  and  false  worships? 
Would  you  have  all  sin  to  pass  openly  without  re- 
proof? Is  the  land  wholly  become  as  Sodom?  Mind 
what  was  their  words  to  Lot  in  this  case ;  this  one  fel- 
low came,.in  to  sojourn,  and  he  will  needs  be  a  judge; 
whose  righteous  soul  was  vexed  daily  with  their  un- 
clean conversation.  So  would  you  have  sin  to  go 
openly  in  the  streets  without  reproof  and  shame? 
Where  is  the  holy  one?  In  whom  doth  he  dwell,  who 
is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity?  Is  Christ  a 
king?  Is  he  ajudge?  Is  he  pure  and  clean  in  heart? 
Doth  he  live?  Can  he  see  sin  and  be  silent,  where  he 
hath  a  mouth  to  speak  by?  Did  he  ever  take  up  his 
abode  in  people  where  none  would  allow  him  a  hab- 
itation and  a  mouth  to  speak  by?  Mind  his  walking 
aforetime  in  his  servants,  and  what  he  did  and  spoke 
in  them,  and  against  what:  and  is  he  not  still  a  God 
of  judgment  at  hand  against  his  adversary,  though 
such  as  know  not  his  voice  put  him  afar  off? 

So  you  who  say  you  are  for  Christ  and  his  king- 
dom, mind  whose  kingdom  sin  is  in,  and  whose  work 
it  is  to  defend  it  from  judgment,  and  mistake  scripture 
to  plead  for  it;  that  is  he  which  condemns  the  just, 
who  would  clear  the  guilty;  and  that  is  abomination 
to  God,  and  withstands  his  appearance;  and  you  that 


4 


(   543  ) 


yield  your  members  thereto,  are  not  for  Christ,  buC 
against  him  in  his  members,  who  have  yielded  the«n- 
selves  servants  of  truth;  and  such  as  you,  were  they 
who  slew  the  just  one,  his  prophets  and  apostles  (in 
whom  the  word  of  God  spoke  against  sin)  yet  they 
had  the  scriptures,  and  served  sin. 
,  Wherefore  if  you  love  tlie  appearance  of  Christ 
Jens,  you  must  not  love  sin,  but  in  that  principle  which 
,  would  not  sin,  feel  him  that  suffers  because  ot'  sin, 
and  yet  is  without  sin,  and  against  sin;  and  if  to  him 
you  come,  whose  appearance  is  in  that  which  is  holy, 
just,  and  true,  and  therein  join  to  him,  you  will  love 
that  which  condemns  sin,  by  which  he  is  grieved  and 
oppressed  ;  and  then  are  you  for  Christ,  when  you  can 
feel  and  suffer  with  him,  by  that  which  he  suffers;  and 
you  will  then  see  that  nought  is  it  that  is  offended  at 
^in  being  judged,  but  he  that  is  guilty  thereof. 


GRACE  RECEIVED,  AND  GRACE  REJECTED. 

The  ^race  of  God  is  that  which  brings  salvation  ta 
man,  and  all  men  being  in  darkness,  as  they  are  in  the 
world  without  God  ;  so  the  grace  of  God  is  tendered  to 
all  without  respect  of  persons;  and  that's  it  in  every 
man  which  gives  him  a  sight  of  truth  in  himself,  which 
God  accepts  in  every  man,  who  would  have  all  men 
come  to  the  knowledge  thereof,  that  they  might  be  sa- 
ved. Now  this  grace  of  God  is  one  in  every  man,  and 
doth  not  spare  the  evil,  nor  deny  the  good  in  any,  out 
of  respects  either  to  persons,  wisdom,  strength  or  rich- 
es which  are  of  this  world,  but  hath  respect  to  the 
truth  of  spirit  in  all,  and  their  obedience  thereto; 
therein  fo  teach  and  lead  to  salvation,  and  the  true 
worship  of  God  in  spirit,  which  leads  to  life  eternal^ 
and  to  the  strengthening  that  which     of  God's  beget- 


(  544  ) 


ling  in  man,  and  quickening  the  soul  which  by  sin  lialh 
suffered;  and  this  it  doth  by  condemning  sin  in  every 
motion,  that  it  may  never  arise  against  the  holy  seed, 
and  also  by  mintstering  comforts  and  promises,  and 
power  in  spirit  to  the  soul  in  the  way  of  its  arising  a- 
bove  the  power  of  the  son  of  wickedness,  still  minis- 
tering light  and  understanding  in  the  hidden  part  to  the 
soul  that  hates  sin,  opening  that  eye  daily  through  the 
obedience  of  truth,  which  the  God  of  this  world  hath 
blinded,  and  purifying  the  soul  by  putting  off  the  body 
of  corruption,  and  blinding  him  that  saith  he  sees,  but 
knows  not  the  way  out  of  sin,  ministering  the  law  upon 
him. 

And  this  is  the  ministration  of  free  grace  to  every 
soul  that  receives  it;  and  this  it  worketh  powerfully 
in  all  that  abide  in  it,  through  the  spirit  of  Christ  Je- 
sus; and  this  grace  (as  saith  the  scripture)  hath  ap- 
peared to  all  men:  yea,  and  doth  daily  appear  in  all 
who  truly  wait  in  spirit  for  its  appearance,  and  gives 
to  all  such  a  sight  of  truth  in  themselves,  testifying 
with  or  against  every  motion  in  their  hearts,  according 
as  it  stands  in  the  sight  of  God,  whether  it  be  good  or 
evil,  whereby  the  conscience  doth  accuse  or  excuse, 
«ven  as  God  shall  judge  them  by  Christ  Jesus:  So  that 
there  is  no  cause  in  this  grace,  why  any  are  not  saved 
thereby  from  sin  and  condemnation,  but  being  rejected 
of  some,  it  becomes  their  condemnation ;  and  the  same 
grace  which  saves  him  that  receives  it  in  faith  and 
obedience,  condemns  him  that  rejects  it  in  his  disobe- 
dience: and  this  is  the  grace  of  God  that  changeth  not, 
which  appears  to  all  men,  but  only  reigns  to  salvation 
through  righteousness,  wherein  it  is  believed  to  be  suf- 
ficient and  obeyed,  in  the  truth  therewith  made  mani- 
fest. 

So  that  is  the  grace  of  God,  which  is  of  God  in  man, 
ministering  in  spirit  light  to  the  soul  in  the  midst  of 
darkness,  ministering  life  to  that  which  is  dead  in  sin; 
leading  man  through  the  vail  of  death  up  to  God,  from 
whom  the  grace  hath  appeared,  and  of  whom  it  is; 
and  the  light  thereof  is  judgment,  and  discerning  in 

•  # 


(    545  ) 


:ivery  one  that  receives  it  to  be  led  with  it  in  judgment, 
and  condemnation  to  such  as  turn  it  into  lascivious- 
(less,  denying  the  life  thereof,  and  the  truth  that  leads 
:heret(),  and  so  cannot  be  saved  through  it ;  but  he  that 
receives  it,  and  joins  to  it  in  spirit,  becomes  one  with 
t,  and  by  his  daily  sinking  into  it  in  counsel,  grows  ia 
lini,  and  he  in  it,  until  it  becomes  a  ijabitation  and 
"over  for  him  against  all  evil,  and  so  he  becomes  gra- 
cious in  words  and  works,  daily  receiving  of  Christ's 
fulness  grace  for  grace. 

And  he  that  hath  received  of  this  grace,  and  is  faith- 
lul  therein,  cannot  minister  of  it  to  strengthen  the 
transgressor,  who  loves  his  sin,  i^and  so  is  under  the 
law)  nor  cast  the  pearls  before  swine;  hut  to  such  as 
are  heavy  laden  and  weary  of  sin,  to  encourage  them 
against  sin  and  temptations,  which  all  that  turn  from 
the  devil  must  expect  to  meet  with;  and  judgment  it 
ministers  to  the  wicked,  that  therewith  he  may  know 
his  condemnation  with  the  light  of  truth,  which  is  their 
condemnation  in  whom  grace  is  denied  to  reign,  he  be- 
lingcome  into  the  world  who  is  full  of  grace  and  truth; 
but  the  kingdom  of  grace  is  salvation  to  them  in  whom 
it  reigns  through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by 
Jesus  Christ  the  Lord. 

I  So  he  that  receives  the  teaching  of  grace,  comes 
,  therein  to  the  leading  of  the  spirit,  and  so  becomes 
I  free  from  sin, is  no  more  under  the  law,  but  under  grace^ 
but  the  law  hath  power  over  him  that  walks  after  the 
flesh,  and  every  appearance  of  grace  is  witness  against 
him,  by  declaring  him  to  be  under  the  law  of  sin  and 
death,  and  not  in  covenant  with  him  that  appears  a- 
gainst  sin  in  the  power  of  grace  and  truth,  which  is 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord. 


69 


A  i'EW  WORDS 


IN  ANSWER  TO  THE  RESOLVES 

OF  SOME  WHO  ARE  CALLED 

INDEPENDEMT  TEACHERS, 

Whose  gospel  and  ministry  appears  to  depend  upon  tithes;  or  as 
full  a  maintenance  secured  to  them  by  a  carnal  law,  as  appears  from 
their  own  mouths,  in  their  judgments,  and  desires  to  the  present  rulers, 
delivered  as  followeth.  By  JAMES  NAYLER. 

First  (say  you)  we  judge  a  parliament  the  best  ex- 
pedient for  the  preservation  of  these  nations. 

j^nswer.  The  best  expedient  for  the  preserving  of 
the  nation,  is  for  all  people  in  the  nation  to  turn  to  God, 
that  by  his  light  you  may  be  led  to  repentance  aud 
newness  of  life,  that  that  may  be  done  away  in  every 
heart,  for  which  the  wrath  of  God  comes  upon  nations 
and  people;  and  whilst  people  are  out  from  the  light 
of  Christ  in  their  own  hearts,  such  are  looking  to  the 
hills  ajid  mountains  for  safety  and  peace,  whilst  wrath 
and  lust  increases  in  your  own  hearts,  and  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  will  destroy  you,  while  your  eyes  are 
abroad  for  safety. 

2.  And  withal  we  desire  all  due  care  betaken, that 
tiie  parliament  be  such  as  may  preserve  the  interest 
of  Christ  and  his  people  in  these  nations. 

j^nswer.  The  chief  interest  of  Christ  in  these  na- 
tions, and  elsewhere  upon  earth,  is  his  spiritual  domin- 
ion in  the  consciences  of  people.  And  that  there  he 
be  confessed  to  be  absolute  king  and  lawgiver,  to  whom 
alone  every  heart  is  to  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess, 
and  that  the  wills  and  laws  of  men  usurp  not  authority 
therein,  but  that  he  by  his  spirit  exercise  the  con- 
science in  all  things  to  God  and  men.  And  this  is  his 
interest  which  he  is  now  demanding,  as  his  birth-right 
in  his  people,  both  from  kings,  parliaments,  and  such 
as  were  called  protectors,  and  whoever  rules  amongst 
men;  which  being  denied  him,  his  wrath  hath  bee" 

# 


P  (  547  ) 

indled  in  their  kingdom.    And  it  greatly  concerns  ali 
hat  come  into  authority,  as  they  look  to  stand  before 
lim,  that  this  his  interest  be  preserved,  and  this  inter- 
st  of  his  people  also;  which  is  to  have  free  liberty  to 
'bey  him  in  their  conscience  in  all  his  spiritual  motions, 
hough  never  so  much  contrary  to  the  flesh  and  blood: 
.nd  if  the  parliament  be  such,  it  must  not  be  made  up 
>f  old  persecutors  nor  new,  but  by  men  of  feeling,  fear- 
ng  God  and  tender  in  conscience;  and  above  all  they 
iiust  take  heed  of  lending  an  ear  to  the  wicked  coun- 
el  of  such  teachers  as  serve  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
)ut  their  own  bellies,  which  have  been  the  cause  of  all 
he  blood  and  persecution  that  hath  been  shed  in  this 
)ur  generation,  who  never  cease  to  provoke  the  ma- 
gistrates to  establish  mischief  by  a  law,  chiefly  against 
his  interest  of  Christ  and  his  people,  of  which  number 
r^ou  appear  to  be  in  your  following  desires. 
'  3.  As  to  magistrates  power  in  matters  of  faith  and 
worship,  we  have  declared  our  judgments  in  our  late 
confession,  and  we  heartily  prize  our  christian  liberty; 
^et  we  profess  our  utter  dislike  and  abhorrence  of  an 
universal  toleration,  as  being  contrary  to  the  mind  of 
Grod  in  his  word. 

|j  Answer,  What  your  judgment  in  your  late  confes- 
sion was,  I  know  not,  but  you  might  do  well  to  show 
your  judgment  in  plainness,  what  this  universal  tolera- 
tion is  which  you  dislike  and  abhor;  whether  it  be 
that  you  abhor,  that  any  should  be  tolerated  but  your 
own  sect,  or  such  as  are  too  near  you  to  testify  against 
your  errors?  If  this  be  it  (as  like  it  is)  then  it  is  too 
selfish  to  be  sound  judgment,  or  safe  counsel  to  be  fol- 
lowed, being  against  the  rule  of  Christ,  "do  unto  all 
men  as  you  would  be  done  unto:"  Or  would  you  have 
toleration  to  none  but  such  as  are  in  the  true  power  of 
spirit,  and  true  form  of  sound  words  written  in  scrip- 
ture? This  were  to  wipe  out  yourselves,  and  bring  in 
those  against  whom  you  profess  your  enmity  [in  your 
last  particular]  to  wit,  the  Quakers,  who  at  this  day 
have  both  power  of  spirit  and  letter  against  you  both 
as  to  your  call,  your  whole  form  of  worship,  and  the 


C  548  ) 


iuannei-  ut  your  iiire,  being  siicii  as  no  true  ministers 
of  Christ  ever  practised,  wherein  llie  Quakers  and 
you  differ?  Or  do  you  only  intend  against  toleration  of 
open  profaneness,  which  none  that  love  Christ  or  his 
interest  will  plead  for?  In  this  I  am  one  with  you.  but 
if  by  universal  toleration  you  intend  that  tiie  magis- 
trate should  limit'  the  spirit  of  Christ  in  any  of  his 
creatures,  because  his  way  is  not  your  way,  but  a- 
gainst  false  ways  and  worships,  as  he  moves  them  to 
bear  his  testimony,  as  in  former  times  he  hath  done  in 
the  true  prophets  and  ministers  against  the  false,  then 
is  your  spirit  seen  to  be  the  same  that  theirs  was,  who 
ever  sought  to  stop  the  mouth  of  truth,  least  their  de- 
ceit should  be  laid  open;  and  that  is  that  which  ever 
was  against  the  interest  of  Christ,  and  the  mind  of 
God  in  his  word;  and  it  will  not  be  an  easy  thing  for 
men  to  limit  the  holy  spirit  in  its  movings,  or  to  meas- 
ure a  way  to  him,  whose  way  you  know  not,  flesh  and 
blood  iinist  be  silent,  wdiich  would  fill  a  cup  to  anoth- 
er, which  you  would  not  drink  yourselves,  and  the  spir- 
it must  speak,  e'er  you  can  know  either  mind  or  word 
that  is  in  God. 

4.  We  judge  that  the  taking  away  tithes  for  the 
maintenance  of  ministers,  until  as  full  a  maintenance 
equally  secured,  and  as  legally  settled,  tend  much  to 
the  destruction  of  the  ministry  and  preaching  of  the 
gospel  in  these  nations. 

Answer.  This  is  your  judgment,  and  you  may  be  be- 
lieved herein,  being  now  upon  the  mark  you  aim  at, 
and  the  price  of  your  calling  and  preaching  in  these 
nations;  and  you  do  but  here  declare  in  words,  what 
all  the  seeing  people  in  these  nations  did  foreknow 
W'as  in  your  hearts;  but  the  word  gospel  you  cannot 
bring  in  with  this  carnal  stuff,  that's  taken  from  you, 
and  must  no  longer  cover  you.  What,  will  the  gos- 
pel be  destroyed  for  lack  of  tithes,  or  a  maintenance 
secured  from  a  forcible  law?  Blush  for  shame!  It  was 
never  known,  that  forced  hire,  or  agreement  before- 
hand, had  ever  the  least  place  in  the  free  gospel  min- 
istry; this  cannot  stand  with  a  spiritual  call  nor  free 


(  549  ) 


-lit;  nay,  it  exceeds  the  legal  priesthood  and  false 
prophets,  and  goes  beyond  Balaam  in  error.  What, 
either  tithes,  or  as  full  as  tithes  so  secured,  and  by  the 
same  law?  Must  papists  laws  up  still,  or  else  the 
gospel  falls?  This  is  none  of  Christ's  gospel  that  thus 
depends,  nor  is  this  the  hire  of  his  servants,  whose 
reward  it  is  to  make  the  gospel  without  charge:  was 
it  ever  known,  that  any  of  his  seed  came  to  the  earth- 
ly powers,  to  beg  their  bread,  or  to  take  it  by  force? 
Doth  he  thus  maintain  his  family?  Doth  not  such  a 
servant  shame  the  master's  house?  Yea,  friends,  all 
who  know  the  power  of  his  free  grace,  and  the  riches 
of  the  everlasting  gospel,  deny  your  gospel  that  will 
I  not  fill  }our  bellies,  but  must  be  kept  from  destruction 
1  with  perishing  food,  by  a  forcing  carnal  law;  that  is 
not  the  gospel  which  is  the  power  of  God,  nor  was 
the  ministers  of  the  everlasting  gospel  so  maintained. 
^Search  the  scriptures  and  be  ashamed,  and  stop  your 
mouth  from  ever  pretending  yourselves  to  be  ministers 
of  the  spirit,  or  of  the  letter,  who  are  gone  out  from 
both,  and  neither  will  own  your  words  and  practice 
herein,  nor  indeed  no  part  of  your  worship,  as  it  now 
stands,  as  will  be  easily  made  apparent  by  plain  scrip- 
ture upon  a  fair  occasion,  but  are  gone  after  times  and 
rewards,  as  your  fathers  have  done  for  many  ages, 
who  to  the  letter  are  not  yet  come,  and  yet  would  be 
maintained  by  a  law  contrary  to  scripture  or  saints 
practice. 

And  therefore  the  Parliament,  if  they  be  such  as 
would  preserve  Christ's  interest  (as  you  say)  they 
must  not  force  the  lambs  of  Christ  to  maintain  wolves 
in  sheep's  clothing,  who  are  now  known  by  their  fruits, 
which  is  Christ's  rule  and  command  to  know  them  by. 
And  this  is  against  his  interest,  and  the  interest  of  his 
people,  to  be  thus  forced  against  Scripture  and  a  pure 
conscience;  for  the  Scripture  tells  of  a  Ministry  which 
minded  earthly  things,  whose  God  was  their  belly, 
who  were  murmurers  and  complainers,  running  greed- 
ily after  the  way  of  Cain  and  error  of  Balaam,  [mark] 
Cain  and  Balaam  are  put  together,  and  these  are 


(  350  ) 


against  Christ's  interest  and  his  people ;  and  it  they 
who  hud  the  form  of  godliness  without  the  power  were 
to  be  turned  away  from,  then  by  what  law  must  those 
who  are  out  of  both  be  maintained  as  Christ's  minis- 
ters, under  pretence  of  the  gospel  destruction?  I  know 
that  without  forced  maintenance  and  fulness  of  it, 
and  good  security,  the  national  ministry  would  fall, 
which  hangs  thereon,  it  being  their  function  as  they 
call  it.  And  so  if  any  see  the  work  worth  it,  let  such 
hire  them ;  and  setting  them  on  work  upon  that  ac- 
count, it's  fit  they  should  pay  them  whom  they  labour 
for.  But  that  such  as  have  received  the  ministration 
of  the  free  spirit  of  life,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  should 
be  forced  against  his  law  in  their  consciences,  to  main- 
tain such  as  are  out  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  can 
do  no  work  for  them,  but  against  them ;  or  that  at  all 
this  is  to  secure  Christ's  interest;  or  that  the  ctestruc- 
tion  of  the  gospel  of  truth  depends  thereon ;  that  is  ut- 
terly denied,  as  a  false  judgment,  and  absolutely 
against  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  in  his  temples,  his  law 
in  their  hearts,  and  his  divine  power  and  spirit,  by 
which  he  upholds  all  things  pertaining  to  life  and 
godliness.  And  this  were  the  only  way  for  the  next 
parliament,  or  power,  to  Vun  themselves  against  that 
rock  against  which  so  many  before  their  eyes  have 
been  broken,  and  few  there  be  in  this  nation,  except 
such  as  have  hardened  their  own  hearts,  and  blinded 
the  eye  of  a  pure  mind,  but  they  have  seen  it.  Where- 
fore take  heed  you  rulers,  [if  it  be  not  too  late]  how 
you  meddle  with  Christ's  kingdom  but  kiss  the  Son 
and  yield  him  his  kingdom  in  tender  consciences; 
touch  not  the  apple  of  the  eye,  which  sees  that  to  be 
sin  and  evil,  which  yet  you  do  not,  of  which  you  have 
often  been  warned.  But  if  you  will  make  laws,  let  the 
scriptures  be  your  rule,  without,  and  the  spirit  of  Christ 
within,  enlightening  the  pure  conscience,  that  so  you 
may  become  tender-hearted  in  the  fear  of  God,  that 
the  edge  of  your  sword  may  be  turned  against  open 
wickedness,  being  touched  with  a  true  sense  of  what 
grieves  the  spirit  of  Christ  in  yourselves,  being  joined 


(   551  ) 


10  the  Lord  in  one  spirit  and  life.  And  this  will  be 
your  wisdom  the  interest  of  Clirist  and  his  people,  and 
from  thence  you  will  receive  better  counsel  and  truer 
judgment  than  that  which  would  stir  you  up  to  perse- 
cute and  force  tender  consciences  against  their  faith 
and  knowledge  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  in  matters 
of  his  worship,  to  serve  men  of  corrupt  minds,  having 
hearts  exercised  with  covetous  practices,  who  cannot 
cease  from  sin,  and  stirring  up  nations  to  devour  one 
another  to  accomplish  their  own  ends.  And  had  not 
the  powers  of  this  nation  said  a  confederacy  to  such 
teachers,  and  taken  off  their  counsel  again,  which 
once  God  had  discoVered  to  be  against  them,  and  set 
them  free  from,  then  had  they  established  in  peace  in 
their  right  authority,  and  Christ  in  his;  and  far  from 
oppression  had  they  been,  had  they  abode  in  God's 
teachings,  their  hearts  had  been  kept  tender,  and  that 
eye  open  which  would  have  given  them  a  sight  to- 
wards the  helpless,  who  hav^  been  wasted  through 
the  oppressor,  from  whom'they  should  have  been  set 
free,  whose  blood  now  lies  upon  the  nations,  for  which 
is  now  enquiry  making. 

5.  It  is  our  desire,  that  countenance  be  not  given 
unto,  nor  trust  reposed  in  the  hands  of  Quakers,  being 
persons  of  such  principles  that  are  destructive  to  the 
gospel,  and  inconsistent  with  peace  and  civil  society. 

Answer,  As  for  your  desire  that  we  should  not  have 
the  countenance  of  men,  we  say,  the  light  of  God's 
countenance  is  much  better,  and  we  cannot  look  for 
both  while  men  take  your  counsel;  and  our  trust  is  in 
God,  in  whose  hand  we  are,  and  not  in  our  own,  and 
from  men  we  may  not  seek  repose;  better  it  is  for  the 
present,  to  suffer  with  Christ  than  to  reign  in  your 
kingdom,  or  be  honoured  with  your  glory.  So  in 
patience  stands  our  peace  with  God,  even  whilst  our 
names  are  cast  out  as  evil  with  men.  But  for  your 
accusation  of  our  persons  and  principles,  to  be  des- 
tructive to  the  gospel  and  civil  society,  take  that  back 
again  to  yourselves; our  persons  we  boast  not  in,  but 
our  principles  are  truth,  grounded  uport  the  light  of 


(   552  ) 


Jesus,  and  leadings  of  his  holy  spirit,  and  whatever  i« 
contrary  we  condemn;  and  this  we  certainly  knov 
will  never  be  destructive  to  Christ's  gospel,  only  youi 
gospel  it  will  destroy,  whose  foundation  stan(is  not  up- 
on the  power  of  the  spirit  of  Jesus,  but  upon  tithes,  or 
some  settled  maintenance  carnal,  as  full,  as  secure, 
by  a  carnal  law,  else  it  is  liable  to  destruction,  as  your- 
selves confess.  And  this  know,  that  your  gospel  that 
must  needs  be  destroyed  if  tithes  fall,  is  not  that  gos- 
pel which  the  apostles  preached;  for  that  gospel  be- 
.gun  most  of  all  to  flourish  when  tithes  went  down,  the 
priesthood  that  received  them,aQd  the  law  that  gave 
them;  which  you  may  read  of  in  the  apostles  epistle 
to  the  Hebrews,  which  law  never  took  tithes  by  force, 
as  the  papists  law  did.  And  now  you  have  often 
said,  "that  whosoever  preaches  another  gospel,  let 
him  be  accursed;"  so  take  heed  that  your  own  words 
condemn  you  not,  and  your  own  weapon  pierce  not 
your  own  bowels;  for  tl>e  Lord  hath  heard  your  words. 
And  this  we  know,  that  the  gospel  of  Christ,  which 
the  apostles  preached,  was  upheld  by  the  power  of  an 
endless  life,  by  which  they  were  also  made  able  min- 
isters, and  did  not  fall  \vhen  tithes  fell,  but  then  so 
m!ich  the  more  flourished  into  such  bounty,  that  the 
publishers  thereof,  who  had  nothing,  did  in  it  enjoy  all 
things:  which  gospel  both  your  words  and  your  ac- 
tions declare  daily  you  live  not  on;  but  like  men  who 
have  lost  the  counsel  of  God,  you  act  both  contrary  to 
law  and  gospel. 

Was  not  this  the  counsel  of  God  in  the  time  of  the 
law,  when  the  priests  had  only  tithes  to  live  on,  that 
then  they  should  have  no  magistrate  to  force  them,  but 
freely  they  were  to  bring  their  ofl"erings,  that  so  he 
might  engage  the  priest  to  himself,who  was  his  portion, 
and  then  they  never  wanted,  while  they  kept  the  word, 
and  their  lips  preserved  knowledge  to  the  people.  But 
when  the  priests  forgot  God,  then  like  people,  and 
then  they  justly  wanted,  as  God  had  said.  And  would 
you  now  have  the  magistrate  to  make  a  law  to  take 
people's  goods,  and  give  to  such  as  do  not  first  beget 


(    553  ) 


people  to  God?  Ts  this  to  live  on  the  gospel,  or  to  eat 
of  your  own  fruits,  as  Christ's  ministers  do  and  ever 
did?  Thus  may  tlie  magistrate  do  for  a  while  against 
the  Lord,  and  oppress  the  innocent,  to  feed  the  fat  and 
idle,  but  the  account  is  at  hand,  in  which  it  will  be 
said,  did  I  require  it  at  your  hands?  Am  not  I  of  pow- 
er to  maintain  my  own  servants,  who  have  the  hearts 
of  all  in  my  hands?  Or,  what  laws  will  you  make  for 
me,  who  never  made  use  of  any  in  this  case,  but  the 
[aw  of  love,  to  be  fulfilled  in  a  free  spirit,  for  in  the 
household  of  Christ  is  no  strife  about  carnal  things? 
\nd  that  principle  is  destructive  to  the  gospel  of  peace 
which  admits  of  strife  about  their  bellies,  or  framing 
mischief  against  another  by  a  law  to  fill  themselves. 
||  And  whereas  you  say  our  principles  are  inconsis- 
tent with  peace  and  civil  society,  to  you  it  is  said, 
whom  have  we  made  war  with  [after  the  manner  of 
men?]  Though  after  ('hrist  and  his  servants  we  war 
against  spiritual  wickedness  daily,  both  in  teachers 
and  people,  not  to  destroy  their  bodies  and  goods,  as 
ours  have  been  destroyed  daily,  and  are  appointed  to 
death  upon  all  hands;  yet  we  have  peace  with  God  in 
this,  that  our  hearts  are  with  him  for  mercy  and  sal- 
vation, to  such  as  yet  seek  our  destruction  and  hat>e 
us  without  cause,  except  testifying  against  sin  and 
false  worships  be  the  cause;  ancl  our  society  is  in  that 
which  is  truly  civil,  and  civil  we  are  when  we  are 
amongst  our  own,  and  towards  the  creation  of  Gad; 
and  if  at  any  time  we  be  amongst  wild  beasts,  and 

jlsuch  as  are  in  the  wanton  and  uncivil  nature,  we  have 
little  society  with  them,  further  than  to  reclaim  them, 
or  to  testify  against  them  as  we  are  moved  of  the 
Lord:  and  if  this  you  call  uncivil,  or  because  we 
cannot  observe  your  customs  of  pride  and  fashions 
of  vanity;  then  we  account  it  better  for  us  to  endure 

I  your  reviling  and  reproach,  than  the  eternal  judg- 
ment of  the  Lord,  who  hath  called  us  out  of  these 
things. 

And  now  you  pretended  teachers,  you  are  found 
iout  of  Christ's  doctrine,  and  you  have  not  received  his 
'  79 


(   554  ) 


teaching,  vvlio  saith,  take  no  thought  for  to-morrow 
what  you  shall  eat,  or  for  cloathing  what  to  put  on; 
nor  are  you  taught  of  him  who  saith,  seek  first  the 
kingdom  of  God,  and  the  righteousness  thereof,  and  ail 
these  things  slmll  be  added  unto  you:  Now  out  of  this 
faith  you  are  found,  and  so  out  of  the  faith  of  Christ, 
and  untaught  you  are  of  this  teacher,  and  how  should 
you  teach  others;  and  your  foundation  is  not  the  foun- 
dation of  God,  who  say  first  tithes,  or  something  as  lull 
made  sure;  and  then  you  will  build,  and  your  gospel 
will  stand,  or  else  it  wiil  be  destroyed  ;  so  your  founda- 
tion is  sandy  and  dirty,  and  not  the  foundation  of  God 
which  stands  sure,  on  wliich  the  prophets  and  apostles 
were  built,  who  never  took  tithes,  or  set  maintenance 
to  live  on;  but  the  apostle  said,  the  priesthot^d  was 
changed,  and  of  necessity  there  must  be  also  a  change 
of  the  law.  Sothese  called  not  for  a  law  from  man,noi 
made  flesh  their  arm,  nor  carnal  things  their  support,  as 
you  do;  so  of  this  error  you  must  repent,  and  come  to 
the  spirit  they  were  taught  by,  and  depend  upon  God  a- 
lone,  and  not  on  the  world;  else  cease  calling  your- 
selves independent,  or  saying,  you  are  sent  out  by 
Christ  Jesus,  who  hang  upon  the  earthly  power  for 
food  and  safety. 


TO  THE  GATHERED  CHURCHES. 

Give  ear  you  gathered  cliurches,  so  called,  in  England  and  Ireland, 
and  hear  what  truth  saith  of  you  concerning  your  dealing  towards 
God;  for  the  day  hath  discovered  you:  and  God  is  coming  to  enquire 
for  his  own  amongst  you. 

Was  not  there  a  plant  planted  amongst  you  once,  a 
tender  plant,  which  had  a  little  rooting  in  a  tender 
ground,  which  began  to  appear  out  of  the  earth,  more 
in  beauty  than  all  the  wild  trees  (^f  the  forest;  it  also 
did  begin  to  blossom,  and  some  tender  grapes  did  ap- 
pear: and  the  roots  and  branches  began  to  spread. 


(   555  ) 


diid  bend  towards  him  that  planted  it,  and  made  its 
appearance  towards  heaven;  and  there  was  great 
hopes  of  a  blessing  in  it,  and  that  it  would  have  cov- 
ered the  earth  with  its  comeliness  that  was  beginning 
to  be  put  upon  it;  insomuch  as  the  oaks  and  cedars, 
and  all  the  rest  of  the  trees,  the  briars  and  brambles, 
began  to  envy  its  appearance,  and  gathered  in  coun- 
»sel  against  it  in  great  strength:  but  the  maker  thereof, 
iseeing  it  bending  to  him,  in  that  straight  undertook  to 
imake  room  for  it,  cutting  down  some,  and  plucking  up 
iothers  by  the  roots,  even  to  the  tallest  and  strongest 
ithat  withstood  its  spreading,  until  he  left  scarce  a  bri- 
ar to  hinder  the  fruitfulness  thereof.  Then  he  looked 
that  it  should  arise,  and  spread,  and  bring  forth  fruits, 
according  to  its  own  nature,  tender  and  good ;  and  this 
was  that  which  bare  the  name  of  tender  consciences, 
ana  indeed  did  so  prevail  in  many,  as  nothing  was  to 
he  compared  with  it,  nor  valued  like  it,  whose  fame 
was  spread  in  the  world. 

But  now  stand  still,  and  behold  what  is  become  of 
•  this  plant ;  and  what  the  fruits  are  you  bring  forth,  and 
how  you  are  turned  into  a  degenerate  plant  of  your- 
selves, since  the  Lord  took  away  kings,  bishops,  and 
all  the  whole  body  of  opposition;  co  Mpare  your  spring 
and  your  harvest  together,  and  see  what  was  sown, 
and  what  is  now  to  reap  amongst  you  for  God. 

Come  to  your  faith,  and  come  to  your  fruits,  and  try 
if  they  be  of  that  nature  which  was  sown  and  planted, 
which  is  from  above; or  have  they  that  life  or  power; 
or  have  they  that  heavenly  image?  Are  you  not  con- 
formed to  this  present  world?  And  have  you  not  that 
beastly  mark  of  pride,  of  covetousness,  of  self  love, 
and  other  works  of  the  flesh?  What  testimony  bold 
you  forth  this  day  from  Heaven  against  the  wicked- 
ness that  abounds  in  your  streets  openly ;  that  you  may 
I  be  known  to  be  from  above,  and  not  of  this  world,  to 
all  that  pass  by;  that  they  may  believe  who  cannot 
I  receive  a  feigned  profession  that  is  without  works  of 
i  life,  nor  faith  in  words  without  fruits.    By  what  will 
you  be  known  not  to  be  of  the  world,  but  to  be  on  the 


lamb's  part  this  day  of  battle?  And  what  marks  of 
his  do  you  bear  in  your  flesh,  by  vvliicii  his  eneniiee 
may  be  judged  in  themselves,  of  all  their  ungodi;, 
ways,  and  hard  speeches,  which  a  profession  wiihou: 
life  hath  cast  upon  him  these  many  years?  But  wha' 
are  you  manifest  to  every  ones  conscience?  And  by 
what  shall  the  unbeliever  say,  God  is  m  you  of  a  truth, 
and  fall  down  before  his  righteous  power?  Have  you 
his  lively  image  upon  you  in  truth  and  righteousness 
in  the  streets?  Or,  can  you  say  indeed,  the  Lord  your 
redeemer  liveth,  and  reigneth  in  you,  in  the  face  of 
your  actions?  Hath  he  redeemed  you  from  all  iniqui- 
ty? Or  are  you  presented  without  spot?  Or  doth  your 
faith  say,  that  ever  you  shall  while  you  live?  Is  not 
all  hope  decayed,  and  many  of  you  gone  back  from 
what  you  once  were,  many  degrees.  Alas  for  you  1 
Is  this  the  faith  of  God,  which  by  the  flesh  is  thus 
overcome:  Or,  are  these  the  fruits  of  the  heavenly 
plant?  What  is  become  of  your  Lord's  money,  and 
how  is  your  gold  become  dross?  Is  there  not  a  more 
precious  witness  trodden  down  under  all  this:  And 
doth  ndt  the  pearl  lie  covered  under  all  this  earth?  Is 
there  not  a  holy  one  of  another  nature;  and  feel  you 
nothing  moving  to  bring  forth  better  fruits:  I  know 
there  is  a  measure  of  the  grace  of  Christ  in  you:  w  hy 
iS  it  you  are  so  gone  astray  from  his  counsel,  and  er- 
red in  your  hearts  from  his  precious  life?  Why  will 
you  not  hearken  to  that  which  once  was  drawing  you 
out  of  the  world,  for  which  you  did  bear  the  cross  and 
:«.eproacli  thereof:  Were  not  you  once  they  that  were 
called  the  spiritual  men  and  women,  and  became  a 
scorn  because  you  professed  the  obedience  to  its  mo- 
vings?  And  what  way  did  it  then  lead  you,  and  into 
what  was  it  turning  you :  Were  you  not  then  hated 
for  his  name's  sake;  and  did  it  not  lead  you  down  into 
meekness  and  patient  suffering:  and  could  you  not  then 
lejoice,  in  that  you  were  counted  worthy  to  bear  his 
reproach  openly,  in  hope  of  his  appearance  to  plead 
your  innocency.  How  did  you  then  begin  to  preach 
and  practice  lowliness  of  mind,-  and  pride  began  tc- 


(   557  ) 


become  a  shame, and  covetoiisness  abominable;  and 
a  spiritual  man,  who  had  a  tender  conscience,  who 
could  rather  die  than  defile  himself  with  vain  customs, 
was  not  such  an  one  ajewel  in  your  eyes?  And  in  his 
sufferings  you  could  feelingly  share.  Did  not  that 
spirit  lead  you  out  of  your  old  dark  forms  of  worship 
which  you  received  by  tradition;  And  did  not  your 
light  and  life  arise  as  you  removed  by  following  there- 
after;  and  did  you  not  leave  them  in  darkness  that 
came  not  out  with  yon?  And  none  was  able  to  with- 
stand that  spirit  by  which  you  then  spoke  and  walked 
whilst  you  were  going  that  way;  but  your  adversary 
was  forced  to  betake  himself  to  carnal  weapons.  And 
did  not  your  God  then  save  you  by  his  spirit,  and  by 
weak  means  scatter  the  mighty,  that  he  might  make 
way  for  this  plant  to  grow:  But  what  way  did  you 
then  take?  Let  that  of  God  in  you  be  witness.  Did 
you  not  soon  grow  into  ease  and  carelessness,  and  so 
let  the  spirit  of  your  old  enemies  overtake  you,  and 
many  of  those  things  by  which  your  consciences  were 
then  oppressed,  are  you  yielded  to,  and  the  worldly 
spirit  you  have  suffered  to  beset  you,  and  enter  you 
again;  which  hath  turned  your  faces  into  the  world's 
riches  and  glory,  with  which  you  are  covered  at  this 
day,  and  soon  left  off  to  follow  that  spirit  that  led  out 
of  this,  which  the  Lord  seeing,  was  grieved:  But  for 
his  name's  sake,  not  willing  his  work  should  fall,  did 
call  another  people  to  his  light,  and  many  from  far 
whom  you  then  counted  not  a  people,  are  come  to  the 
brightness  of  his  rising,  to  follow  his  spirit;  and  what 
is  now  become  of  the  children  of  the  kingdom:  and 
what  is  the  fruit  of  that  vineyard?  Are  not  you  now 
the  great  opposers  of  that  spirit,  and  of  the  light  with- 
in: undervaluing  it  as  though  it  were  not  worthy  to  be 
a  leader,  nor  able  to  keep  in  the  paths  of  safety.  Ah 
foolish  people!  Have  you  well  requited  your  redeem- 
er: Or,  did  his  leadings  deserve  this  from  you:  While 
you  followed  him  in  spirit,  the  husband  of  your  youth : 
what  evil  found  you  in  his  light  while  you  hearkened 
to  it.  Compare  your  way  then  and  your  way  now, 
and  be  witnesses  against  yourselves  forever. 


(   558  ) 

What  is  this  you  have  done?  How  is  that  spirit 
become  your  enemy,  that  then  vv^is  your  leader? 
Was  he  your  enemy  till  you  changed  your  wny,  and 
returned  back  into  the  love  of  the  world,  in  which  his 
spirit  could  not  join  with  you,  nor  own  you,  nor  change 
with  you?  So  him  that  doth  not  change  you  have 
left;  and  testify  against  his  light  since  you  have  re- 
ceived the  spirit  of  the  world.  So  darkness  cannot 
comprehend  the  light,  nor  such  receive  him,  who  have 
changed  their  God  like  you?  The  guide  of  your 
youth  is  now  as  an  adversary  in  your  way,  testifying 
against  you  in  your  own  hearts;  so  you  would  stop 
his  way  in  the  hearts  of  others.  If  this  be  not  so, 
Jet  him  be  witness,  whose  spirit  condemns  sin  in  the 
flesh,  with  all  its  motions,  in  every  one  where  his  light 
is  minded;  which  will  truly  let  you  see  (as  many  as 
with  faith  and  diligence  hearken  thereto)  what  way 
you  are  going,  and  what  hath  befallen  you  since  you 
became  resisters  of  that  holy  spirit  in  its  temple,  and 
have  set  up  idols;  and  how  the  spirit  of  the  world 
hath  prevailed  to  cover  you  with  its  own  vanities,  and 
fading  glory,  till  you  have  nothing  left  to  separate  you 
from  the  world  but  a  form,  without  the  life  of  the 
saints. 

And  now  you  having  suffered  the  plant  of  life  to  be 
covered  with  the  earthly  spirit,  and  having  sold  your- 
selves under  the  fleshly  power  for  want  of  a  steadfast 
and  faithful  watch  in  the  spirit  of  life,  which  did  once 
redeem  you  in  measure ;  now  is  the  same  spirit  coming 
over  you  in  the  powers  of  the  world,  ready  to  rise  up 
against  your  form  also  [which  is  all  you  have  left] 
under  which  you  must  either  join  or  suffer.  And  when 
this  comes  upon  you,  to  whom  will  you  cry  for  help? 
Or  where  will  you  leave  your  glory?  Or  how  will 
you  do  to  save  your  sanctuary  in  which  you  trust?  If 
you  look  to  the  God  of  this  world,  you  may  easily 
have  his  favour,  but  then  you  must  take  upon  you  his 
form;  aud  then  what  must  become  of  your  own  you 
have  trusted  in, and  so  cried  up  for  a  sanctuary? 


(  559  ) 


And  if  you  cry  to  the  Lord,  will  not  his  light  in 
your  consciences  tell  you,  that  he  was  once  your  re- 
deemer, while  you  w^ould  own  his  spirit  in  you  for  a 
leader,  and  that  it  was  not  he  that  sold  you,  but  your 
iniquities,  and  choosing  other  Gods,  and  letting  in  the 
worlds  idols  into  his  temple,  and  denying  him  therein, 
that  hath  now  overtaken  you  again;  and  will  not  the 
second  evil  be  worse  than  the  first?  When  every 
tcrifice  comes  to  be  salted  with  fire,  then  will  you 
(low  what  It  is  for  the  salt  to  lose  its  savour:  then 
will  sucli  be  seen  to  be  blessed,  who  have  salt  in  them- 

ives,  and  who  have  not  turned  their  light  into  dark- 
iv^ss,  nor  denied  the  Lord  that  bought  them:  then 
woe  to  (he  vessel  which  is  filled  with  that  which  will 
not  abide  the  fire.  And  this  day  is  near  at  hand  to 
come  upon  him  that  believes,  and  him  that  believes 
not. 

And  at  that  day,  that  which  you  have  been  filling 
the  vessel  with  will  be  a  heavy  burthen,  though  pleas- 
ant in  the  heaping  up,  with  which  you  have  oppressed 
the  just,  and  darkened  that  holy  light  that  would  have 
shined  in  your  hearts,  which  once  was  arising  to  have 
given  you  the  knowledge  of  God  in  purity;  which 
gives  to  see  the  odiousness  of  all  iniquity,  and  a  way 
out  of  it;  which  spirit,  had  you  retained,  you  would 
not  have  slain  the  just>  nor  taken  pleasure  in  un- 
righteousness, nor  been  filled  with  ungodliness,  like 
the  world,  as  at  this  day  your  works  are  found  lo  be, 
nor  opposers  of  the  spiritual  light  that  leads  out  of 
the  world.  For  in  the  light,  which  now  you  oppose, 
dwells  no  wickedness,  nor  unrighteousness;  no  cove- 
tousness,  fornication,  malice,  envy,  deceit,  hatred, 
pride,  despite,  lust,  nor  oppression,  nor  fleshly  pleas- 
ures inhabit  in  the  light;  but  by  it  are  judged  and 
condemned,  and  cast  out:  for  it  is  the  house  of  God, 
who  dwells  in  the  light,  which  sees  all  these  to  be  vile 
affections,  to  which  they  are  given  up,  who  are  chil- 
dren that  disobey  the  light  and  deny  it,  and  take  pleas- 
ure in  these  deeds  of  darkness,  on  whom  the  wrath  of 
God  abides:  on  which  works  the  fire  will  take  hold. 


(   560  ) 


and  whose  end  is  to  be  burnt:  which  works  you  have- 
seen  to  be  evil  by  the  light,  while  you  were  led  by  the 
spirit,  and  did  condemn  them  in  others,  and  preach 
against  them;  and  do  the  same  things,  and  plead  for 
them  now  in  yourselves,  and  now  having  no  excuse  to 
cover  you,  you  rage  when  you  are  told  thereof  in  sound 
words:  but  your  teachers  you  will  hear,  which  are  of 
your  own,  and  one  with  you  herein,  who  feed  the  ear. 
but  starve  the  soul. 

And  now  when  you  hear  of  these  things  from  such 
as  love  your  souls,  take  heed  to  your  spirits,  that  no- 
thing arise  as  in  the  days  of  Cain:  for  the  strong  man 
hath  had  a  time  to  fortify  himself  within  you,  and  he 
will  rage  if  his  kingdom  be  entered.  Wherefore  hear- 
ken not  to  that  which  is  above  in  the  high  mind,  l)ut 
return  to  that  spirit  which  is  lowly,  and  sink  down 
into  meekness,  and  take  counsel  of  that  spirit  winch 
receives  truth  in  love,  and  abides  the  search  with 
patience  (and  in  whom  there  is  no  guilt  there  will  be 
no  wrath)  for  we  do  not  this  to  stir  up  the  evil,  but  to 
overcome  it  with  truth.  And  as  many  of  you  as  upon 
true  search  are  justified  in  the  light  of  life,  with  such 
we  rejoice,  and  are  one,  and  seek  unity  herein,  in  one 
testimony  of  life;  and  for  such  as  have  put  on  a 
fair  covering,  and  a  large  garment  above,  but  these 
evils  are  seen  in  the  skirts  of  it ;  this  is  not  to  discover 
any  thing  which  true  love  can  hide,  but  that  such 
might  see  w  ith  that  by  which  they  are  seen,  and  mourn 
in  secret  with  those  that  mourn  for  them  in  secret, 
seeking  the  w^ay  to  return.  But  for  most  part  it  is  too 
plain  a  truth  to  need  a  secret  search  to  be  seen,  for  its 
come  into  the  streets,  and  in  the  places  of  your  wor- 
ships, and  in  your  daily  employment ;  it  is  found  in  all 
these.  So  wickedness  being  come  into  the  streets, 
truth  may  not  creep  into  a  corner  to  reprove  it:  nay, 
its  high  time  to  cry  aloud,  not  to  spare  the  whore ;  for 
with  an  impudent  face  hath  she  backslided  from  her 
youth,  and  hath  decked  herself  with  the  attire  of  an 
harlot.  Is  not  pride  become  a  glory  openly  amongst 
you?    And  to  deceive  souls  hath  got  the  name  of 


(  561  ) 

decency,and  covered  under  the  finest  forms  of  religion  ; 
and  the  scriptures  of  truth  which  forbid  it,  wrested 
through  your  suhtility  to  plead  for  it,  against  the  light 
in  your  own  consciences ;  and  how  can  humility  hold 
her  peace  thereat?  How  are  our  honorable  men  and 
women,  who  were  once  covered  with  grace,  and  love- 
ly in  the  beauty  of  holiness  and  modesty,  bedaubed 
with  ribbons,  lace,  baubles,  and  foolish  vanities  not 
worth  the  naming,  and  too  many  to  mention?  And 
iiovv  can  wisdom  but  utter  her  voice  against  such 
whoredoms,  and  call  her  children  from  the  paths  of 
the  destroyer?  And  to  that  of  God  in  you  all  we  ap- 
pear, what  spirit  that  is  v^'hich  is  offended  therein;  or 
can  he  that  glories  in  such  folly  hear  wisdom's  voice? 
See  what  spirits  you  are  of. 

And  if  you  be  the  chuiches  of  Christ,  or  if  any  of 
vou  be  sensible  of  his  sulfering,  who  hath  long  suffered 
under  all  this  filth,  then  strip  yourselves  thereof,  and 
come  fvirth  to  his  help  against  this  height  of  wicked- 
ness that  is  now  growing  to  the  full,  and  hath  fenced 
its  way  against  all  reproof  and  teaching,  so  that  noth- 
ing is  now  left  but  the  life  to  finish  its  testimony  against 
it  unto  blood-suffering,  which  now  is  at  the  door. — 
Wherefore,  if  any  of  you  be  on  the  Lamb's  part,  who 
'  now  hath  a  controversy  with  the  whore,  then  come 
»  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  him,  and  shew  forth  his 
life  a  witness  in  your  bodies  against  all  this  wicked- 
ness.   If  you  be  baptised  into  him,  put  him  on;  and 
if  you  have  received  him,  walk  in  him  openly:  for  his 
commg  is  not  in  the  secret  chambers,  to  witness  a- 
gainst  wickedness  that's  come  forth  in  the  open  streets, 
nor  m  the  desert  to  testify  against  his  enemy  that 
rules  in  the  places  of  greatest  concourse ;  but  in  streets, 
and  markets,  temples  and  synagogues,  where  these 
whoredoms  are  acted,  there  he  utters  his  voice,  and 
by  his  precious  life  witnesses  against  them,  as  in  the 
days  of  old  in  his  saints,  so  now  is  it,  glory  to  God  for 
evermore,  whose  day  is  world  without  end,  which 
whoever  comes  to,  must  give  up  their  bodies  as  a  sa- 
crifice, holy,  and  they  only  are  acceptable  at  his  com- 
ing, and  fit  for  his  use,  glory  for  ever. 

71 


(   562  ) 


Wherefore  be  not  so  deceived,  to  think  that  long 
preaching  and  praying  against  these  evils  in  your 
words,  with  the  power  thereof  ruling  in  your  hearts, 
captivated  within,  and  covered  therewith  without,  hath 
power  to  overcome  this  spiritual  wickedness,  or  make 
it  ashamed  in  the  streets,  or  drive  it  into  a  corner, 
which  you  practice  yourselves  openly;  for  it's  the  life 
of  Christ  that's  cross  to  all  this,  and  the  Lamb  must 
take  the  victory.    1  herefore  in  the  fear  of  God,  turn 
to  the  spirit  from  whence  you  are  gone,  that  his  light 
may  give  you  the  knowledge  of  God  in  your  hearts, 
and  what  you  have  of  his  power  to  save  you  from  this 
evil  generation,  by  redeeming  your  minds  out  of  these 
vanities,  your  hearts  out  of  the  world,  and  your  bodies 
and  estates  to  himself,  as  a  sacrifice  freely  given  up 
to  bear  his  testimony  in  your  bodies,  and  in  your  es- 
tates, against  the  evil  that  now  abounds,  to  the  con- 
vincing of  such  as  are  out  of  the  ways  of  God,  by  his 
walking  in  you,  by  the  steps  of  his  spirit  which  will 
shine  forth  as  a  light  in  your  lives,  if  you  become  obe- 
dient thereto,  forsaking  your  own  ways  to  be  led  there- 
by.   And  let  not  your  high  thoughts  deceive  you,  nor 
trust  in  lying  words;  for  you  are  no  further  redeemed 
than  you  have  this  power  given  from  above,  and  this 
treasure  in  the  earthen  vessel,  which  gives  life  from 
the  dead;  This  is  the  riches  of  his  grace,  which  saves 
by  faith,  and  the  gift  of  God,  glory  and  life  eternal. 
And  he  that  saith,  he  is  redeemed,  or  set  free,  and 
yet  is  led  captive  in  his  mind  into  ihese  evils,  and 
walks  in  them,  is  a  liar  before  the  Son,  and  blasphemes 
the  holy  name  of  Christ,  and  causes  it  to  be  blasphe- 
med through  the  world.    But  he  that  is  baptised  into 
Christ,  and  all  this  filth  buried,  and  that  life  that  de- 
lights in  it  mortified,  and  covered  with  his  lowly  spirit, 
having  received  the  gift  of  God,  and  put  him  on,  and 
walks  in  him,  honours  him,  and  him  that  sent  him,  and 
hath  fellowship  with  the  father  and  the  son,  led  by  the 
spirit  out  of  the  world,  through  his  sufferings,  his  death 
and  resurrection;  and  such  know  the  life  of  Christ, 
and  the  gift  of  God,  to  whom  it  is  given  not  only  to  be- 


(  563  ) 


fieve,  but  to  suffer  for  to  spread  his  name  and  power., 
and  to  preach  his  truth  and  righteousness,  and  to  hold 
forth  his  virtue,  as  it  is  in  him,  according  to  the  meas- 
jre  of  him  received  in  spirit,  not  adding  nor  diminish- 
shing:  and  this  is  the  true  ministration  of  life,  and 
gospel-light,  wliich  calls  to  the  simple  with  power, 
md  which  is  manifest  to  that  of  God  in  every  con- 
science, and  that  lively  faith  which  is  known  by  its 
vorks,  which  contains  the  glory  of  God  for  its  witness. 
But  a  faith  there  is,  which  to  this  life  is  reprobate, 
vvhich  stands  not  upon  the  foundation  of  righteousness, 
)ut  stands  in  lying  words  without  fruits  of  the  spirit  to 
llorify  God,  or  evidence  the  substance  in  life,  and 
whose  conversation  is  not  in  Christ,  yesterday,  to  day, 
ind  for  ever;  hut  glories  in  swelling  words,  and  con- 
ceiving of  what  Christ  was  and  will  be;  putting  him 
afar  off,  but  to  day  hear  not  his  voice,  nor  bear  his  im- 
age; and  these  are  they  that  glory  in  words,  but  not 
f  in  power,  whose  faith  doth  not  overcome  the  world, 
[but  gives  way  to  the  devil,  always  promising  great 
I  'hings  to  come,  but  themselves  servants  to  these  cor- 
rupt things,  and  this  is  faith  without  works, 
i    And  with  this  net  are  many  easily  caught,  who  be- 
ing convinced  in  their  understanding  of  a  form  nearer 
the  letter,  and  having  got  words  suitable  thereto,  then 
are  received  church  members,  and  presently  having 
changed  their  opinion,  become  new  believers,  and 
teachers  of  others,  as  though  they  had  attained  some 
great  thing,  not  minding  to  prove  their  new  faith  by  the 
light  of  life,  and  truly  to  try  it,  what  life  is  in  the  new, 
more  than  in  the  old,  by  its  powerful  working  in  the 
vessel;  whether  it  be  that  faith  which  purifies  the 
heart  and  hands,  which  mystery  stands  not  in  feigned 
words,  but  in  a  pure  conscience,  purging  the  vessel,  and 
fitting  the  temple  of  God  for  his  coming,  by  the  spirit 
iof  his  son,  which  faith  opens  as  it  cleanses,  drinking 
in  the  new  through  the  death  of  the  old;  by  which  the 
just  lives,  which  gives  the  knowledge  of  God  in  the 
face  of  Jesus,  not  in  vain  words,  and  who  are  gathered 
,  into  it  are  gathered  by  the  living  faith,  which  worketh 


(   o64  ) 


and  conforms  to  Christ,  within  and  without,  to  live  \m 
life,  and  manifest  his  life  to  the  world,  in  their  mortal 
bodies,  and  to  bear  his  name  and  nature,  his  markjy 
and  sufferings  in  their  conversation  before  his  enemies, 
shewing  him  to  be  the  same  to  day,  blessed  for  ever- 
more; and  such  are  baptised  into  his  likeness  in  death 
and  resurrection  in  a  true  measure. 

But  who  are  gathered  by  words  w^ithout  power, and 
a  faith  without  his  holy  life,  such  may  run  on  heaps, 
swell  high,  and  make  many  heads  and  horns,  yet  all 
make  but  one  beast,  and  their  several  names  serve  but 
to  make  up  his  number,  to  which  they  do  arise,  all  a- 
gainst  the  Lamb:  but  his  life  and  power  they  cannot 
reach,  neither  can  they  read  his  name,  nor  bear  his 
mark,  who  are  not  redeemed  from  earth:  but  the 
whores  heart,  and  beasts  image  is  their  mark,  which 
now  is  come  into  the  open  view,  and  cannot  be  hid: 
that  being  the  whorish  heart  which  loves  the  things  of 
this  world  ;  and  thats  the  beast  which  bears  her,  whose 
life  is  in  them,  and  lusts  after  them,  striving  and  fight- 
ing for  them,  and  whose  glory  stands  therein,  and  to  be 
covered  therewith,  so  that  you  need  not  dive  so  deep 
with  your  dark  wisdom,  to  find  whose  you  are,  for  the 
light  is  come  which  gives  the  knowledge  of  God  (and 
who  are  his  temples,  and  in  whom  he  walks)  and  in  the 
face  of  .lesus  this  is  known  in  every  conversation,  by 
which  light  God  hath  shined  in  the  heart  for  that  pur- 
pose: and  the  power  of  the  beast  is  seen  by  the  light 
in  all  consciences,  his  image  and  mark  a})pearing  out 
of  his  temple,  wherein  his  seat  and  kingdom  is;  so 
that  he  that  runs  may  read  each  head,  and  their  mark; 
and  they  that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh, 
with  the  affections  and  lusts,  and  have  put  on  Christ, 
and  walked  in  him,  and  his  face  is  seen,  and  in  such 
only  are  the  fruits  of  the  spirit  manifest;  and  they  that 
have  denied  the  spirit,  its  light  and  leadings,  are  ene- 
mies to  its  life,  and  in  such  the  fruits  of  the  flesh  are 
manifest,  and  can  be  no  longer  hid. 

And  all  you  vi^ho  have  followed  your  own  spirits, 
and  denied  the  light  of  Christ,  by  the  light  in  every 


Ill 


(   565  ) 


:onscienee  are  you  made  manifest,  not  to  be  spiritual 
rnen  and  women;  which  light  judges  pride,  covetous- 
iiess,  deceitful  dealing, and  all  your  wanton  pleasures 
and  vain  customs,  and  shows  them  to  be  works  of  the 
flesh.  So  the  light  denies  you,  and  you  deny  it  before 
men;  and  such  are  found  amongst  your  churches;  and 
the  light  hath  laid  you  so  naked,  that  the  world  sees 
you,  and  hath  power  over  your  holy  things,  to  trample 
them  under  feet,  saying,  "what  is  their  profession 
worth?  They  are  as  proud  and  covetous,  &c.  as  we 
are;  and  can  lie  and  dissemble  as  others,  and  we  will 
never  more  trust  them  for  their  professions."  Thus 
is  vour  profession  covered  with  reproach,  because  you 
have  denied  the  spirit,  and  have  covered  yourselves 
with  that  which  spiritual  men  count  dross  and  dung, 
and  you  are  nol  found  of  tender  consciences.  And  to 
that  of  God  in  your  consciences  are  we  manifest,  that 
^his  is  truth;  and  to  God  Almighty,  that  this  is  not  to 
upbraid  any  one,  or  to  glory  in  wickedness,  but  in 
obedience  to  the  spirit  of  God,  who  hath  quickened 
us  out  of  these  things,  and  in  love  to  your  souls,  which 
are  wounded  and  slain  thereby,  and  to  warn  you  of 
what  we  see  coming  on,  having  felt  the  terror  of  the 
I  Almighty  against  the  way  you  have  chosen ;  who  could 
rejoice  to  meet  you  in  your  return,  and  desire  to  sep- 
;  arate  from  none  of  you,  but  in  your  sin,  and  that  which 
i  devours  the  creation  to  feed  the  lust,  which  is  sepa- 
rated from  God  forever,  and  you  as  long  as  to  it  you 
join,  whatever  you  profess. 

And  this  is  to  call  lo  you  all  to  return  to  the  Lord, 
who  is  that  spirit,  and  that  life  wherein  all  must  wor- 
ship that  would  be  receited  of  the  father;  for  God 
will  confound  Babel,  and  all  that  give  glory  to  images, 
and  all  that  confess  a  likeness  instead  of  life;  and 
that  you  might  all  see  that  this  is  coming  upon  you, 
who  cry  the  ordinances  of  God  in  words,  with  your 
lips,  but  deny  his  light  in  your  hearts,  and  his  spirit 
and  word  there,  which  is  the  great  ordinance  of  God, 
and  endures  to  all  generations,  and  that  by  which  all 
outward  shadows  were  given  forth,  which  endeth 


(   566  ) 


shadows,  and  is  the  substance  and  body,  which  ig 
Christ  within  the  hope  of  glory,  and  w  orship  in  spirit, 
and  the  truth  in  heart,  which  changes  not,  which  God 
looks  at,  and  seeks  such  this  day  to  worship  him,  and 
gives  them  power  over  the  world,  who  confess  to  the 
spirit  and  life  within,  and  worship  God  in  his  temple 
made  without  hands,  wherein  he  is  lifted  up  in  truth 
and  righteousness,  light  and  true  judgment  this  day 
in  your  streets,  against  the  horn  of  wickedness,  where 
lie  is  confessed  in  life  and  power,  and  glory  is  given  to 
the  spirit  alone,  and  he  owns  it,  and  receives  it,  and 
hears  witness  to  it,  with  his  presence,  with  his  suffer- 
ings and  with  his  blood,  and  is  daily  clothing  such 
vessels  with  the  Son,  whom  he  brings  forth  in  the  ev- 
erlasting arm  and  life.  And  this  is  the  birth  he  loves, 
and  the  child  of  his  own  bosom  begotten  again,  which 
bears  his  image  lively  against  all  the  world,  though  it 
be  but  never  so  little  that  dare  not  disobey  what  he 
leads  to  in  spirit,  to  conform  to  the  will  of  man,  though 
to  save  their  lives  or  liberties ;  but  daily  cast  off  all  as 
dung,  that  they  may  win  Christ,  this  spirit  and  life,  to 
lead  and  redeem  them  out  of  the  dark  world,  which 
nothing  else  can  do  but  this  spirit;  and  this  is  the 
Immanuel,  and  the  man-child  that  was,  and  is,  and  is 
to  come,  world  without  end.  And  since  the  father 
saw  him  appear  upon  earth  in  this  image,  he  hath  lov- 
ed him,  and  owned  him,  though  his  appearance  be  as 
a  lilly  among  the  thorns,  and  many  tall  trees  which 
have  great  names  would  stop  his  appearance,  that  he 
might  not  be  seen,  nor  confession  made  to  his  light  and 
rising  in  this  lowly  stature;  yet  is  the  father  daily  ma- 
king his  way  before  him,*cutting  down  many  high 
grown  plants,  which  are  not  of  this  lowly  nature,  and 
many  fall  on  each  hand,  some  into  the  earth  are  sunk 
and  buried,  some  into  the  Red  Sea  raging,  into  blood 
and  persecution,  and  all  to  make  way  for  the  Lamb, 
to  be  seen  and  known  by  his  life,  to  be  him  that  was  to 
come,  for  wiiose  sake  God  is  selling  Egypt,  and  spoil- 
ing them  of  their  jewels,  and  confounding  of  Babel, 
whose  lives  and  language  are  now  seen  to  be  contrary 


(  567  ) 


And  thus  is  he  drying  up  the  sea,  that  kings  may  come 
and  worship  in  spirit,  and  they  that  overcome  the 
world  may  confess  thereto,  and  that  he  may  recover 
liis  glory  to  himself  in  spirit,  which  men  have  given  to 
visible  things  and  shadows,  that  can  neither  see  nor 
save,  and  w  here  the  pearl  is  lost,  God  loves  not  for 
your  sacrifice. 

And  this  is  written  to  you  all,  that  you  may  see 
\v\mi  hath  covered  you  since  you  have  erred  in  spirit, 
Icnied  the  light,  and  have  walked  in  the  wind,  and 
l  ive  exalted  great  forms  and  outward  things  above 
^  spirit:  so  with  outward  earthly  things  are  you 
nered,  and  not With  the  spirit;  and  as  you  have  de- 
iirhted  to  spend  your  strength  and  study  to  set  up  the 
er  above  the  light,  and  your  carnal  ordinances  to 
je  the  salvation,  and  so  have  not  given  glory  to  the 
spirit,  but  have  given  glory  to  that  which  is  not  God, 
I  to  oppose  the  light  and  spirit  of  God,  and  his  living 
f  word  in  the  heart,  which  only  hath  power  to  save, 
and  enlighten  the  heart  against  the  powers  of  the 
prince  of  this  world.    So  by  the  light  you  may  see 
what  power  now  rules  in  your  hearts,  and  with  what 
glory  you  are  covered,  and  that  which  you  have  been 
contending  for  with  others,  against  the  spirit,  hath  not 
given  you  power  to  contend  against  the  world,  and 
overcome;  but  you  may  feel  yourselves  captivated  to 
that  which  some  of  you  [who  are  not  yet  hardened] 
would  not:  others  are  come  so  as  to  glory  in  their 
shame,  in  open  pride  and  vanity  and  fleshly  pleasures, 
and  with  the  same  mouth  they  plead  for  the  idol,  with 
the  same  they  plead  for  his  fruits. 

And  so  you  may  all  read  your  judgment  with  the 
light  of  the  world,  which  condemns  the  works  of  the 
world,  yours  and  theirs,  and  that  you  are  all  come 
short  of  the  glory  of  God,  and  are  turning  back  to 
the  glory  of  this  world,  and  joined  to  it  in  pleadings 
and  practice;  and  so  manifest  to  all  men,  that  you 
are  not  f  »und  worthy  to  declare j^itn  to  this  genera- 
tion, he  not  being  the  end  of  your  conversation,  Christ 
I  Jesus  the  saviour  of  the  world;  but  the  hope  that 


568  ) 


was  awakened  in  you,  when  you  at  first  received  the 
earnest  of  his  spirit,  is  withered  and  dead,  and  now 
you  have  your  conversation  in  the  earth,  and  your 
names  heing  written  there,  you  have  put  the  day  of 
his  coming  afar  off,  and  are  joined  with  the  world  to 
withstand  his  appearance  in  the  poor,  that  now  God 
hath  called  to  confess  his  light,  and  preach  his  resur- 
rection and  life  in  spirit,  and  this  you  and  the  world 
would  quench  where-ever  it  begins  but  to  sparkle,  tel- 
ling them  it's  not  sufficient,  &c.  to  draw  their  minds 
out  from  it,  and  keep  them  in  some  outward  observa- 
tions, lo,  here,  lo  there,  lest  the  light  should  arise  and 
condemn  your  fruitless  observations ;  which  light  saith. 
the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you. 

And  thus  you  quench  the  spirit  in  many,  and  having 
lost  the  key  yourselves,  you  suffer  not  others  to  enter 
that  would;  and  all  you  do  for  these  when  they  deny 
the  light,  and  come  to  you,  is,  you  learn  them  to  paint 
the  sepulchre,  but  the  soul  in  the  grave;  and  so  the 
spirit  being  denied,  the  flesh  prevails  within  and  v/ith- 
out.  And  seeing  you  have  refused  to  judge  yourselves 
•  with  the  light,  therefore  are  you  laid  open,  and  your 
lives  with  the  world  to  be  condemned ;  and  the  light, 
which  you  say  to  the  world  is  not  sufficient,  arises  ia 
the  hearts  of  the  world  to  condemn  your  practices- 
Friends,  you  that  have  set  a  feeling  of  that  whicb 
pants  after  God,  and  waits  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
and  where  that  principle  is  not  yet  buried,  which 
first  turned  your  minds  out  of  the  world,  with  the 
same  now  mind  what  way  you  are  going,  and  what  is 
the  end  you  aim  at,  and  in  what  will  you  take  up  your 
rest,  that  you  maybe  eternally  happy ;  will  a  settled 
form  of  truth,  without  the  power  of  righteousness  and 
presence  of  God  in  you,  satisfy  your  longing  souls? 
Was  not  this  the  thing  that  was  awakened  in  many 
of  you  at  first,  and  strongly  breathed  towards  his  ap- 
pearance, so  that  nothing  would  satisfy,  but  a  feeling 
of  that  spirit  worKiVig  obedience  and  tenderness,  and 
speaking  peace  in  you ;  for  all  your  former  failings  and 


(  569  ) 


comings  short  of  obedience?    And  how  many  honesi 
and  just  ways  did  this  spirit  lead  you  into,  which  you 
had  not  from  man,  and  in  your  obedience  thereto, 
opened  to  you  of  the  father's  uosom-love,  melting  your 
hearts,  and  opened  the  scriptures,  and  of  the  secrets 
of  God,  which  you  had  never  known  of  man,  nor  by 
man?    And  thus  while  you  were  tender  in  following 
the  Lord  in  spirit,  he  led  you  therein,  and  fed  you 
therewith;  and  whatever  you  did  in  singleness  of 
obedience  thereto,  he  answered  with  peace  and  joy 
therein:  and  this  the  witness  of  God,  which  in  some 
of  you  remains  yet  not  wholly  slain,  will  witness  too 
with  us  in  secret,  and  yet  till  this  day,  if  you  have 
any  obedience  that  God  owns  or  answers,  it  is  in  that 
principle.    And  now  will  it  satisfy  you  to  sit  down  in 
a  form  at  ease,  and  this  oppressed  in  you,  and  grieved 
by  setting  carnal  things  above  it,  to  lead  you,  and  rule 
in  your  hearts,  till  it  be  weary  with  striving,  and  now 
is  departing  out  of  all  your  forms,  and  you  have  lost 
its  leading;  and  do  not  you  feel  this  in  your  souls? 
is  there  never  a  secret  lamentation  in  you,  to  seek  af- 
ter him  who  was  the  husband  of  your  youth  and  led 
you  at  the  first?    This  is  all  our  souls  long  to  see  at 
present,  that  you  would  but  diligently  mind  how  you 
are  parted  from  him,  and  what  is  the  cause,  and 
where  he  now  appears  that  you  might  follow  him,  that 
he  might  lead  you  into  life.    We  preach  not  ourselves, 
but  Christ  Jesus,  that  spirit  whose  appearance  in  spi- 
rit changes  shadows,  forms,  likenesses,  and  carnal  or- 
dinances, and  makes  all  things  new  at  his  coming, 
which  with  the  flesh  is  defiled.    And  though  we  would 
not  have  you  to  leave  any  thing  in  which  you  have 
formerly  found  any  thing  of  God,  till  he  lead  you  out 
of  it,  yet  we  would  not  have  you  to  forsake  him  who 
led  you  therein,  and  therein  was  found  of  you;  but 
him  to  follow  wherever  he  goes:  will  your  carnal 
things  be  any  more  to  you  than  the  temple,  and  cir- 
cumcision, and  the  Jewish  priesthood,  when  God  had 
left  it  for  the  wickedness  that  was  covered  therewith? 
What  then  became  of  them  that  staved  therein,  cry- 

72 


(    ^'0  ) 


mg,tlie  temple  of  the  Lord?  Did  they  not  then  trusl 
in  lying  words?  And  whs  it  aught  but  a  den  of  mur- 
derers, strengthening  themselves  with  the  notion  of 
God's  ordinances  against  t  he  life  of  Christ,  who 
came  in  another  appearance,  though  they  knew  it 
not  then,  no  more  than  you  do  now? 

Therefore  take  heed  what  you  do  at  this  day,  when 
all  are  looking  for  ilie  kingdom  of  heaven,  some  one 
way,  some  another;  but  most  see  that  righteousness 
is  departed  from  amongst  men  of  all  forms  and  pro- 
fessions, and  the  earth  is  got  into  men's  hearts,  and 
hath  filled  them  with  violence,  pride  and  oppression. 
Now  your  work  should  be,  and  all  that  love'his  ap- 
pearance, to  watch  diligently  (not,  lo  here,  lo  there, 
but)  where  righteousness  arises  as  the  lightning;  in 
what  form  soever  he  comes,  righteousness  is  the  life 
and  power.  And  now  take  heed  how  you  set  up  your 
form  to  oppose  this,  wherever  it  begins  in  the  least  to 
arise,  lest  you  oppose  God:  for  God's  kingdom  con- 
sists in  righteousness,  and  through  righteousness  doth 
grace  reign. 

And  this  we  further  say  to  you  in  tenderness  and 
true  love,  that  if  you  once  see  that  power  of  righteous- 
ness arise  in  any  sort  of  people  whatsoever  above 
you,  which  by  the  light  of  the  world  in  your  own  con- 
science condemns  your  conversation,  take  heed  how 
you  then  oppose  it, or  stay  in  your  forms  which  have 
it  not  in  them,  from  joining  to  it,  lest  your  temple  be- 
come a  habitation  of  murderers,  as  theirs  was;  for 
so  will  it  befal  such  as  will  not  follow  the  Lamb 
wherever  he  goeth,  they  war  against  him;  for  as  he 
departs  he  will  draw  awa}  that  of  his  own  from  all 
that  will  not  come  with  it,  to  him,  wherever  he  sets  up 
his  ensign:  and  then  your  ordinances  being  left  empty 
of  that  spirit,  what  must  enter  instead  is  easily  to  be 
discerned.  And  as  you  feel  a  spirit  of  strife  and 
envy,  lust  and  earthly-mindedness,  and  of  all  the 
works  of  the  flesh,  begin  more  and  more  to  prevail 
in  you  and  over  you,  then  remember  what  we  in  love 
^0  your  souls  have  warned  you  of,  which  we  dearly 


(  571  ) 


iesire  may  never  come  upon  you  to  the  full,  but  that 
that  eye  may  be  minded  in  you,  which  would  lead  you 
3ut  of  the  world,  to  see  the  rising  of  the  son  of  right- 
eousness, where  the  honest  in  heart  shall  meet  in  spi- 
rit, and  find  healing.  J  >  N- 


rO  THOSE  WHO  WERE  IN  AUTHORITY,  WHOM  THE  LORD  ii 
NOW  JUDGING,  THAT  THEY    MAY   REPENT  AND 
FIND  MERCY   FROM  GOD. 

O  men  of  England,  whose  day  is  over,  and  whose 
:ime  is  passed  away  from  you,  and  you  are  now  left 
as  men  in  desolation  and  darkness!  You  had  a  large 
day  and  time  to  have  done  good,  and  to  have  answer- 
ed God's  requirings  of  you,  and  your  engagements  to 
him,  and  so  to  have  laid  up  treasure  with  God  against 
the  evil  day,  which  is  come  from  far  upon  you;  and 
you  had  a  large  time  and  a  great  power  in  your  day, 
to  have  made  you  friends  of  the  unrighteous  mam- 
mon, by  doing  jusflv  and  shewing  mercy  therein;  that 
so  you  might  have  had  a  habitation  in  the  day  of  ad- 
versity: and  in  your  day  the  heavens  were  fair,  and 
the  son  gave  you  his  light,  shining  upon  you  through 
many  clouds  that  seemed  to  arise,  over  which  he  sent 
you  light,  that  in  his  light  you  might  have  walked  and 
seen  light ;  and  his  visitations  and  risings  towards  you 
was  often,  and  his  appearance  was  lovely  towards 
you;  even  a  calm  sun-shine  after  a  stormy  tempest, 
and  as  warm  clearness  after  rain,  to  the  softening  of 
the  earth,  and  to  make  it  fruitful,  that  he  might 
have  received  of  his  tillage,  a  good  savour  from 
the  fruit  of  his  labours  and  have  blessed  you.— ^ 
But, O  people!  you  would  not  hear  nor  regard  in  that 
day,  when  his  works  was  good  to  you  every  morning, 
and  his  mercies  upon  you  all  the  day  long:  hut  yoi> 


(  ^rl  ) 


grew  high  and  lofty  in  yourselves,  and  proud  in  youi 
minds,  and  self-conceited  and  self-ended,  and  harden- 
ed your  hearts  against  his  tender  witness  in  your  con- 
science, and  walked  rebelliously  against  his  good  spirit 
in  your  own  hearts,  and  he  could  not  cause  you  to 
hear;  but  you  grew  past  feeling  of  any  thing  that  is 
called  God  in  you. 

Then  you  daily  waxed  fat,  and  fulness  increased, 
and  pride  gendered  into  your  hearts,  and  you  grew 
wanton,  and  kicked  against  hin>  that  bore  you,  and 
made  light  of  his  pricks  in  your  conscience.  Thus 
was  your  ear  stopped  towards  God,  and  you  wholly 
lost  from  all  that  he  might  speak  unto  you  in  spirit,  or 
counsel,  or  fear,  and  from  the  way  of  his  teaching  and 
reproof  you  were  utterly  gone,  and  had  removed  your 
hearts  far  away  from  hearing  his  voice;  for  you  had 
filled  them  with  pride  and  vainglory,  and  your  unjust 
gain  had  made  many  of  them  even  as  the  nether  mill 
stone ;  so  you  become  unmoveable  in  your  way. 

Then  did  the  Lord  raise  him  up  servants  that  would 
hear,  and  gave  them  his  light,  to  see  what  you  were 
doing  against  the  Lord  your  God,  who  had  redeemed 
you  out  of  ail  adversity,  and  had  raised  you  up  out  of 
a  low  estate,  and  had  done  for  you  exceedingly;  even 
to  win  you  as  a  people  to  himself:  and  also  what  God 
was  a-doing  against  you,  because  of  this  your  con- 
trary walking  towards  him;  and  that  he  would  cer- 
tainly bring  you  down  before  your  enemies,  if  you  did 
not  return  and  luimble  yourselves  before  him.  And 
these  he  sent  amongst  you  with  his  word,  rising  early, 
and  sending  them  to  speak  his  mind  expressly  what 
he  minded  to  do;  and  it  could  no  longer  slumber:  but 
you  would  not  hear,  neither  would  you  believe;  but 
the  same  which  had  stopped  your  ear,  and  hardened 
your  hearts  in  your  own  selves  from  feeling,  that  had 
wrought  to  such  hardness,  dulness  and  unbelief,  till 
God's  word  could  have  no  entrance  into  you;  nor  his 
servants  liberty  to  walk  amongst  you  to  publish  it;  but 
you  begun  to  question  in  your  unbelief,  whether  it  was 
the  word,  and  io  your  pride  to  scorn  it,  and  in  the 


(   373  ) 


lardness  of  your  hearts  then  you  began  to  persecute 
he  messengers  of  the  Lord,  which  he  sent  with  it  to 
^ou  for  your  good,  and  many  hundreds  suffered  in  all 
Darts  of  the  nation  ui)on  this  account,  till  there  was 
10  hope  of  your  hearing  or  obeying  the  voice  of  your 
return. 

Then  did  the  Lord  raise  up  signs  nnd  wonders  a- 
nong  you,  if  by  any  means  he  might  appear  as  one 
0  be  feared  or  observed  by  you:  and  he  stripped  some 
jf  his  children  and  sent  them  among  you;  and  some 
16 clothed  in  sackcloth,  as  mourning  over  you;  and 
some  with  ashes  upon  their  heads  he  sent  into  your 
assemblers  of  worships,  and  your  assemblies  in  your 
feasts  and  of  your  fasts,  which  were  all  abominable 
to  him,  while  you  walked  in  your  own  ways,  and 
would  not  hear  his  voice;  but  these  you  used  worse 
than  formerly,  and  your  rage  increased  in  stocking, 
beating,  whipping  and  imprisoning,  until  the  cry  of 
oppression  was  so  great  that  there  was  no  remedy; 
and  then  the  Lord  arose  and  shaked  you  in  pieces,  as 
a  mighty  one  in  his  anger,  and  broke  you  with  such  a 
breach  so  as  you  could  not  be  healed,  nor  be  a  power 
any  longer  ;''and  so  hath  brought  the  wheel  over 'you, 
and  from  far,  without  help,  hath  he  caused  the  rod  to 
blossom. 

And  the  just  Lord  is  now  seen  in  the  midst  of  you, 
and  which  of  you  is  able  to  stand  before  him  injudg- 
ment,  or  to  condemn  him  in  the  thing  he  hath  done: 
and  captivity  is  taken  captive  before  him ;  and  you 
that  did  imprison  are  imprisoned ;  and  you  that  sought 
to  make  yourselves  dreadful  by  oppression,  now  know 
not  where  to  hide  yourselves  from  the  mighty  day 
that's  coming  upon  you  from  the  God  of  the  whole 
earth. 

And  now  this  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  you,  all 
I  you  sturdy  oaks,  and  tall  fruitless  trees,  whom  the 
wind  of  the  fierce  wrath  of  the  Almighty  hath  thus 
shaken:  hear  the  rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it,  and 
bow  before  the  terrible  judge  of  all  flesh,  and  seek  not 
to  save  yourselves  with  your  former  consultations,  with 


(  ) 

that  spirit  in  which  you  have  always  rebellqd  ^taiDS, 

G(Ki  till  this  day,  and  in  whose  counsel  yoo  hnv. 
wrought  this  great  evil  to  provoke  the  Lord.  an. 
wkicli  you  have  ever  rejected  his  word  in  yourselves 
and  others;  neither  trust  to  your  friends,  to  make  flesh 
yoer  arm,  yet  farther  to  provoke  the  Lord  to  your  ut- 
ter confusion ;  neither  trust  in  your  prayers  or  perrorra- 
ances,  or  aught  you  can  do.  while  you  are  in  that  r^. 
bejiious  spirit  of  disobedience  to  God's  witness  in  y-o: 
own  consciences:  for  verily,  God  will  not  hear  you, 
wliile  you  are  unwilling  to  hear  him.  And  now  for 
this  he  is  come  near  >ou  at  last  to  judgment,  and  hfj 
bath  brought  near  his  righteousness,  that  you  might 
sec  it  and  lay  hold  on  it,  and  make  peace  therewith 
now  at  last  for  your  souls,  that  you  may  be  saved  :  and 
your  return  must  be  first  to  that  spirit  against  whom 
you  have  sinned,  thereto  make  peace. 

And  now  spend  not  your  time  in  vain  talks,  and 
vain  practices,  and  so  still  serve  that  evil  spirit  tha- 
hath  all  along  betrayed  you  of  your  obedience  to  God ; 
buc  wait  to  feel  that  spirit,  which  calls  you  to  mouro 
apart,  every  one  for  the  evils  of  his  own  heart  against 
hiiGod.  and  let  that  be  minded  which  leads  to  repen- 
tance towards  God  first,  that  if  by  any  means  you  ma}' 
find  a  place  for  repentance,  which  will  be  hard  for 
many  of  you  to  do,  you  have  so  long  dissembled  with 
God,  and  betrayed  his  witness  in  you  through  deceit ; 
for  this  is  the  truth  to  you  all,  if  you  find  that  from  tb^ 
Lord  in  spirit,  thai  will  let  you  see  the  evils  of  provo- 
cation, and  give  yuu  power  to  put  it  off,  whatever  it 
be*  you  will  find  favour  with  God  therein  for  your 
souls:  but  if  you  find  not  that  spirit,  you  will  find 
small  peace  with  God ;  and  then  that  which  men  can 
do  for  you  will  be  little  available;  for  it  is  for  want  of 
hearing  and  obedience  towards  God.  that  all  this  evil 
is  come  upon  you ;  which  must  be  turned  to  ere  it  can 
be  taken  everlastingly  off:  for  if  you  had  hearkened 
to  his  light  in  your  consciences,  and  his  word  had  had 
a  place  in  your  hearts  to  obedience  when  you  were 
yet  tender,  then  would  it  have  kept  you  in  his  fear:  so 


i 


(   575  ) 

hat  you  durst  not  have  coveted  that  cursed  thiirgy 
vith  which  you  hid  and  covered  that  just  principle  in 
/ou,  and  blinded  your  eyes  with  the  riches  and  spoil  of 
our  enemies;  nor  durst  you  have  set  up  what  you  had 
3ast  down,  and  got  into  their  estates,  and  so  into  their 
iride  by  unrighteous  gain,  whom  God  had  cast  out; 
;hen  had  you  not  provoked  God  by  these  things  to  your 
itter  ruining:  or  if  after  this  was  entered  upon  you, 
ou  had  hearkened  to  his  reproof,  and  put  this  off 
ourselves  with  his  spirit,  then  had  he  not  brought  this 
errible  besom  to  sweep  it  away  from  off  you,  and 
i  om  within  you,  who  hath  left  you  no  place  to  hide 
our  glory  or  your  riches,  where  his  hand  shall  not 
each,  and  his  eye  find  them  out. 

And  there  is  now  no  hope  for  agreement  with  God 
n  yourselves,  nor  that  he  will  cease  his  anger  against 
ou,  till  you  return  to  that  from  which  you  departed, 
hat  the  same  spirit  may  be  confessed,  and  glory  given 
hereto,  by  putting  off,  in  his  counsel  and  motion,  that 
vhich  was  put  on  in  your  counsels  against  that  spirit, 
ind  his  light  in  your  own  consciences;  and  also  in 
nany  others,  whose  souls  were  troubled  and  grieved 
or  you  in  that  day.  And  this  the  Lord  God  looks  for, 
:hat  glory  be  given  to  the  just  in  his  sight,  and  in  the 
>ight  of  all  before  whom  his  name  hath  been  blasphe- 
nned. 

I  And  ihis  is  now  the  work  of  this  your  day,  while 
^ou  have  a  little  time,  and  for  this  he  waits  and  for- 
bears, that  he  may  be  gracious  to  your  souls  for  his 
lame's  sake.  And  it  is  not  a  time  for  you  to  sleep 
and  sit  at  ease,  nor  spend  your  time  in  vanity,  nor  seek 
to  hide  that  which  God  is  resolved  to  declare  openly, 
nor  with  fleshly  counsel  seek  to  save  that  which 
God  will  destroy.  It's  time  now  at  least  to  see  what 
that  selfish  spirit  and  its  counsel  hath  done  for  you, 
I  and  repent  of  it,  by  following  whereof  all  this  evil  is 
come  upon  you,  for  your  authority  hath  vomited  you 
out,  your  glory  hath  left  you  naked,  and  y(^ur  riches 
cannot  profit  you  in  this  day  of  wrath  from  the  Al- 
mighty. This  was  I  moved  of  the  Lord  to  write  to 
vou.  ,T.  N. 


i 


(  576  ) 


A  LETTER  TO  KING  CHARLES  II. 

O  King:  God  Imth  in  these  nations  a  people  gath- 
ered by  Iiimself  into  his  light,  who  are  known  to  him- 
self better  than  to  men,  and  therefore  have  we  suffered 
by  men  vinder  all  the  powers  that  have  risen  in  this  na- 
tion ever  since  God  called  us  towards  himself,  by  his 
eternal  light  and  spirit.    And  though  we  receive  not 
our  laws  from  man,  yet  are  we  not  without  law  as  to 
our  God,  but  have  one  law-giver,  even  Christ  Jesus  our 
Lord,  our  life  and  our  head,  blessed  over  all :  and  from 
his  laws  we  may  not  depart.    And  by  his  law  in  our 
conscience,  and  the  power  of  his  spirit  in  our  hearts, 
are  we  ordered  and  guided  to  walk  holily  towards  our 
God,  and  harmlessly  towards  men,  as  the  saints  of  old 
witnessed  in  scripture,  however  they  be  minded  to- 
wards us;  and  by  the  virtue  of  the  Lamb  and  not  of 
flesh  and  blood,  are  we  made  to  give  our  goods  to  the 
spoil,  and  our  bodies  to  the  tortures  of  cruel  men,  rath- 
er than  defile  our  consciences,  or  sin  against  any  one 
of  the  least  of  the  commands  of  our  Lord  and  law- 
giver Christ  Jesus;  who  by  the  light  of  his  eternal 
spirit  doth  daily  lead  us  out  of  the  evils  and  vanity  of 
this  present  world,  and  having  begotten  us  into  his  own 
guiding,  he  doth  not  suffer  us  to  subject  ourselves  to 
any  thing  whatsoever  is  not  set  up  by  himself,  nor  to 
worship  the  God  of  this  world,  nor  obey  him  in  con^^- 
mands  or  customs;  but  the  exercise  of  our  conscien- 
ces he  hath  redeemed  wholly  to  himself,  and  by  his 
precious  blood  hath  sprinkled  them,  and  made  them 
tender  and  pure:  so  that  we  may  not  worship  false 
gods,  nor  the  true  God  in  a  false  manner;  nor  may  we 
worship  men,  nor  follow  the  customs  of  nations,  kin- 
dreds or  people,  or  languages;  but  the  spirit  of  truth 
itself  we  must  follow:  nor  may  we  break  Christ's 
commands  in  swearing,  when  men  command  us;  hut 
must  obey  him  who  saith,  swear  not  at  all:  nor  may 
we  join  to,  or  uphold  any  worship  whatsoever,  but 


(  577  ) 


#lrat  the  spirit  of  truth  itself  leads  us  into,  though  ma^ 
fly  have  sought  to  force  us  thereto:  nor  may  we  leave 
the  ministry  of  Christ,  and  that  maintenance  which 
the  gospel  allows  of,  to  maintain  a  priesthood  with 
tithes,  and  so  go  back  from  Christ  to  the  law,  that  the 
apostle  saith  is  disannulled,  Heb.l. 

And  for  such  things  as  these,  concerning  a  tender 
conscience,  and  the  law  of  our  God,  have  we  suffered 
rievous  persecution,  and  not  for  any  unrighteousness 
jne  by  us  against  any  man's  person  or  estate,  nor 
have  we  suffered  by  any  just  law  of  the  nation,  but  by 
the  wills  of  cruel  nien,  and  as  a  prey  to  every  man's 
lust  hath  been  our  liberties,  lives  and  estates,  and  the 
rulers  that  have  been  to  this  day  have  not  sought  our 
deliverance,  but  have  dealt  treaclverously  with  us,  and 
the  Lord,  v»'hom  we  serve,  hath  seen  it,  and  reproved 
it, and  yet  we  are  not  set  free;  but  at  this  day  we  live 
in  the  account  of  the  rude  and  envious  people,  as  a 
people  appointed  to  death  and  desolation;  and  the 
whole  body  of  ungodliness,  and  rage  of  wickedness  is 
upon  us  daily,  and  with  cruelty  falls  upon  us  in  our 
persons  and  estates,  and  our  peaceable  meetings  to 
worship  the  living  God.  And  as  to  all  these  things, 
we  are  laid  as  the  mire  in  the  street,  for  every  rude  boy 
to  run  over,  and  we  have  not  found  help  from  man,  as 
to  all  the  powers  that  have  been  till  this  day  since  we 
were  a  people;  nor  do  we  speak  this  because  we  look 
for  help  from  man;  nor  indeed  can  we  expect  that 
from  men,  until  men  own  the  same  principle  of  God  to 
rule  in  them  to  which  we  are  subject,  which  is  the  Son 
9f  righteousness,  and  leads  all  into  righteousness,  truth 
and  peace,  that  his  light  do  follow,  who  is  known  to 
be  the  king  of  kings,  and  judge  of  the  judges,  though 
flesh  and  blood  sees  not  his  kingdom. 

And  now,  O  king,  as  we  have  been  moved  of  the 
Lord,  in  bowels  of  love,  and  with  much  plainness  of 
speech  (after  the  spirit  of  truth,  and  n^  with  vaia 
compliments)  to  lay  these  things  before  all^'the  sev- 
eral powers  that  have  risen  hitherto,'\vith  several 
Qther  evils  which  our  God  hath  sent  us  to  testify 
against  (both  ia  rulers,  teachers  and*  people)  so  wo 

1\\ 


(   378  ) 


have  done;  and  for  that  we  have  suffered  also  for  a 
witness  against  them,  as  it  is  at  this  day:  so  the  same 
God  hath  now  after  a  while  put  into  our  hearts  to  lay 
these  things  before  thee  [O  king]  that  thou  mayst  not 
be  ignorant  to  what  we  are  called,  and  for  what  we 
suffer:  and  in  this  we  rejoice,  that  we  feel  love  to  thy 
soul  even  while  we  are  thus  doing;  and  if  many  should 
be  moved  hereto  of  God,  take  heed  of  being  wearied 
therewith,  nor  count  it  clamour,  or  trouble,  as  they  that 
were  before  thee  did,  and  so  let  up  prejudice  and  evil 
thoughts  in  their  own  hearts  against  the  innocent;  for 
this  we  say  unto  thee,  and  affirm  in  the  name  of  oui* 
God,  that  the  more  any  are  [truly]  moved  by  the  eter- 
nal spirit  to  warn  thee  of  these  things  [or  any  other 
evils  that  may  any  way  grieve  his  holy  spirit]  so  much 
doth  the  Lord  (of  thy  life,  and  true  and  everlasting 
peace)  double  his  love  unto  thee,  and  shew  his  wil- 
lingness to  stay  thee,  from  that  which  hath  removed 
kings,  and  broken  kingdoms:  and  this  we  know  to  be 
of  God,  and  by  him  in  us  towards  thy  soul  and  eternal 
welfare.    And  though  we  cannot  swear,  and  unswear, 
covenant  &  uncovenant  with  every  change  that  comes, 
as  men  do  that  know  not  the  everlasting  covenant  and 
decree  of  God  ;  yet  this  hath  God  sealed  in  our  hearts, 
to  seek  the  good  of  all  men,  plot  against  none;  but 
study  to  live  quietly,  and  exercise  our  consciences 
faithfully  towards  whatever  government  our  God  shall 
set  up;  desiring  that  all  men  in  their  day  may  so  use 
their  power,  as  they  may  give  account  to  God  with  joy, 
and  not  leave^their  names  for  a  curse  and  reproach  a- 
mong  men ;  for  this  we  know,  that  God  is  now  at  hand, 
to  give  a  speedy  reward  to  every  man,  as  shall  be  the 
work  of  his  day. 

Wherefore,  O  king,  seek  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and 
not  pleasure ;  do  justice  and  judgment  in  this  thy  day, 
relieve  the  helpless  oppressed,  and  break  the  yoke  of 
bondage  thi^lies  upon  the  poor,  and  bring  judgment 
into  the  agates,  and  let  not  justice  be  sold,  least  the 
meek  of  the  Arth  cry  to  God  against  thee:  verily  God 
is  nearer  this  nation  to  avenge  than  many  can  believe. 


(  579  ) 


[hough  he  hatli  done  wonders  in  this  generation  that 
many  {generations  have  not  seen,  and  is  trying  all  sorts 
)t  people  with  the  testimony  of  his  appearance:  bles- 
sed are  they  wliose  eye  is  open  to  discern  the  signs  of 
he  times,  for  a  work  is  God  working  in  tlie  earth,  and 
le  will  cut  it  short  in  righteousness  for  his  elect  sake, 
vhich  daily  have  waited  upon  him  who  is  blessed  for 
er. 

O  king,  spend  not  thy  time  in  fleshly  pleasures,  nei- 
her  strive  after  that  glory  which  will  fade  away;  but 
ipply  thy  heart  to  God,  and  wait  to  feel  his  spirit  in 
hee,  giving  thee  light  and  understanding  to  guide  thy 
vays  before  him;  for  only  blessed  is  he  who  rules  by 
lis  power,  and  who  is  taught  of  God  shall  be  establish- 
ed in  righteousness,  and  be  far  from  oppression;  and 
Dnly  such  shall  be  called  the  blessed  of  God  to  all 
generations:  read,  and  remember  the  righteous  and 
the  wicked. 

From  one  of  those  whom  the  world  calls  Quakers. 

JAMES  NAYLER 


FROM  THE  CHILDREN  OF  LIGHT, 

(to  them  that  apx) 

In  several  particulars,  why  we  have  been  kept  from  joining  to  or  wor 
shipping  rn,  those  forms  at  law,  and  forms  of  worship,  that  have  been 
imposed  upon  us  against  our  consciences,  in  these  bte  years;  for  deny- 
ing whereof  we  liave  (many  of  us)  so  deeply  suffered  with  our  lives, 
iiberlies  and  estates.. 

Also,  what  we  own  as  to  those  things,  and  can  be  obedient  to  for 
conscience  sake,  according  to  truth,  and  tire  practice  of  the  church  of 
Christy  and  the  holy  scriptures. 

Forasmuch  as  miny  have  desired  to  know  tiie  ground  in  particular 
of  our  differences  in  faith  and  worship  towards  God ;  and  in  some 
thingsas  to  the  outward  forms  at  law,  which  men  have  sought 
to  impose  upon  us  in  these  late  years:  and  also  what  we 
would  desire  tlierein.    'I'herefore  is  this  written 
following,  towards  the  satisfying  of  every 
honest  desire  who  loves  the  king- 
dom 4)f  Christ. 

All  kingdoms  and  people  ought  to  be  the  Lord^s; 
and  his  Christ's  and  come  ta  be  guided  and  governed 
by  the  law  of  the  spirit  in  their  consciences:'  whicvk 
spirit,  or  anointing  all  must  wait  for,  even  from  the 
king  on  the  throne  to  tlie  least  place  of  government, 
that  with  it  all  may  know  judgmeni^  and  to  do  justice, 
wiiich  is  of  God }  that  he  may  be  known  to  be  the 
anointer  of  kings,  and  to  judge  among  the  judges, 
whose  right  it  is  of  old;  and  God  hath  given  it  to  his 
son  by  an  everlasting  covenant,  that  in  him  all  nations 
and  kingdoms  of  the  earth  shall  be  blessed,  even 
through  and  under  his  righteous  government:'  for 
God  the  father  accepts  neither  laws  nor  governments 
if  they  are  contrary  to  his  own,  and  not  of  him,  or 
from  htm;  because,  for  him  were  made  all  creatures 
that  move,  not  only  in  earth  but  in  heaven  also;*^  and 
no  flesh  breathing,  nor  spirits,  men  or  angels,  have 

?i  LTohn3,27.    h  Isa.  5^6.    2  Chron.  19.  &    rJsa.G.  9    d  Heb,  2, 10 


(  581  ) 

any  true  power  but  as  they  receive  it  rom  him,  awd 
so  use  it  to  him  and  for  him.  But  if  tliey  rule  by  in- 
justice and  oppression,  for  the  time  tie  Lo?d  shall 
suffer  them,  and  not  for  iiim.they  shalhiot  be  estab- 
Jished  in  peace;  and  when  their  meisure  shall  be 
fulfilled,  the  Almighty  shall  remove  thim,  and  their 
names  shall  remain  a  curse  to  those  tint  come  after; 
for  God  will  plead  the  cause  of  his  )wn- seed,  and 
overturn  and  shake  nations  and  kingdoms,  until  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth  know  that  tie  beavens  do 
rule,'  and  the  stout-hearted  confess,  tint  the  bead  of 
every  man  is  Christ:'  and  that  God  liith  made  this 
same  Jesus  [which  men  have  rejected] x)tb  Lord  and 
Christ;'  which  in  his  time  he  will  shew  o  be  the  bles- 
sed  and  only  potentate,  king  of  king;,  and  lord  of 
lords,  who  only  hath  immortality,  dveUing  in  the 
light,  where  he  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  power,  till 
^God  shall  make  all  his  foes  his  footstoo. 

Now  this  is  that  we  w^ait  for  in  ever>^  appearance 
and  face  of  authority  that  comes  up,  to  wit,  the  face 
of  Jesus  our  righteous  king  and  savioir,  in  whom  is 
no  violence  nor  oppression;  who  whei  he  comes  to» 
rule,  we  know,  will  be  tender  of  the  ender  in  con- 
science, and  meek  towards  the  poor  ii  spirit-/ and 
with  righteousness  will  he  judge  and  rule  in  the 
earth,  to  deliver  the  helpless  from  him  thft  is  too  hard 
for  them,  who  will  drive  wickedness  froii  his  throne, 
and  the  workers  thereof  into  a  corner;  lut  will  gent- 
ly deal  towards  all  that  travels  with  righteousness^ 
and  put  the  Iambs  of  truth  in  his  bosom, br  he  loves 
righteousness  and  hates  iniquity;'  therefoie  hath  God 
called  him  his  anointed,  and  will  give  him  \he  heathen 
for  his  inheritance,  and  the  utmost  parts  cf  the  earth 
for  his  possession,'  and  a  priest  to  God  he  is  to  all  gen- 
erations: in  his  days  shall  the  upright  rejoce,^  for  he 
shall  walk  safely  in  his  uprightness,  no  net  shall  then 
be  spread  on  the  mountains,  neither  shall  hethat  turns 
from  iniquity  be  made  a  prey,  for  under  him  shall  every 

a  Dan.  4,26.   b  Acts  2,  36.    cl  Tim  .  6, 15.    dlsa.  11,4.    e  Isa.  40  11     fPsa.  4;~ 
'2,8.   tr  Jer.23,5,6. 


(   582  ) 

one  serve  his  God  without  fear  in  hohness  of  lite  am, 
godliness  of  conversation/ 

Now  this  is  he  we  wait  for,  even  the  beloved  of  our 
souls  ;^  and  we  know  his  birth  is  come  to  the  nations, 
and  his  mornii^  towards  the  people;  yea,  to  the  wise 
in  heart,  who  are  yet  afar  off,  hath  his  star  appeared, 
and  we  knowjhis  breaking  forth  to  these  islands,  as 
the  bright  sun  dfter  the  stormy  rain;  even  so  shall  he 
be  after  the  shakings,  he  shall  be  as  a  covert  from  the 
tempest,  as  ri\^ers  of  water  in  a  dry  place,  and  as  the 
shadow  of  a  ?reat  rock  in  a  weary  land;  even  so 
shall  he  be  wljo  shall  reign  in  righteousness,  and  by 
whom  princes  shall  rule  in  judgment.'  This  is  the 
royal  seed,  and  he  that  is  of  him  is  the  son  of  nobles, 
his  princes  eatjin  due  season,  for  strength  and  not  for 
wantonness,  fichus  shall  the  land  be  blessed,  who  is 
found  worthy  to  receive  the  anointed  of  God  to  rule 
in  their  borde/s. 

And  this  is  he  whom  we  have  preached  to  all  the 
several  governments  that  have  risen  ever  since  God 
revealed  himlin  us,  and  the  glory  and  peace  of  his 
kingdom;  and  we  have  patiently  waited,  and  in  great 
sufferings  hafe  our  souls  travelled,  to  see  if  by  any 
means  we  mi^ht  see  any  willing  to  receive  his  anoint- 
ing, and  to  b0  born  of  his  spirit,  to  govern  by  his  pow- 
er, and  with  his  counsel  to  order  and  be  ordered,  that 
through  him  (hey  might  be  established  of  God :  and  we 
have  looked  through  the  veil  of  flesh  in  all  sorts  of  peo- 
ple, and  coufd  not  bow  thereto;  and  by  many  contrary 
spirits  have  ive  been  evilly  entreated, because  we  could 
not  own  them  for  his  sake,  whose  kingdom  we  seek  to 
be  set  up  in  rulers,  teachers  and  people. 

And  thu^  have  we  gone  seeking  the  righteous  one 
through  pai'liaments  and  protectors  [so  called]  priests 
and  rulers  of  all  sorts;  but  his  government  we  have 
not  found,  nor  with  his  righteous  judgments  have  we 
been  judged  among  them ;  but  we  have  been  shameful- 
ly entreated  for  his  sake,  and  have  borne  his  reproach 
because  of  his  spirit  in  us,  and  his  kingdom  in  our  con- 

Luke  1,  24.   b  Isa.9,6.    t  T«a.  f?2, 1.2.    Fed,  10.  16,  17 


I   58B  ) 


sciences*/  and  maHy  times  have  been  tried, some  to  tii«^ 
OSS  of  estates,  and  others  of  lives,  to  see  if  they  could 
Dfovoke,  or  drive  us  from  his  faith  in  our  consciences, 
Dr  tempt  us  any  way  to  deny  him,  aid  own  them  in 
their  corrupt  wills:  and  though  we  have  suffered  un- 
der every  several  power  and  people,  i  et  have  we  not 
ceased  to  warn  them  in  love,  with  muc^  fear  and  plain- 
ness, that  if  by  any  means  they  mighi  have  received 
his  testimony,  and  not  have  perished  id  their  gainsay- 
mg;  for  our  God,  in  whom  we  trusted, shewed  it  to  us, 
that  they  should  not  prosper,  nor  be  established  with- 
out him,  his  spirit  and  anointing,  to  wliom  he  hath  giv- 
en the  government  of  all  people,  that  shall  be  blessed 
by  him;  yea,  all  the  nations  of  them  that  are  saved 
must  walk  in  his  light,^  and  receive  his  counsel  for  their 
stability,  and  his  anointing  for  the  strength  of  their 
kingdoms. 

x\nd  this  is  the  cause  why  we  have  chosen  rather 
lo  suffer  under  every  power  that  hath  risen  against 
us,'  than  to  join  in  with  them,  because  we  have  not 
iieard  the  voice  of  the  holy  one  in  the  midst  of  them, 
neither  hath  his  spirit  in  them  been  the  strength  of 
their  counsels,  but  they  have  sought  to  make  flesh 
their  arm,^  and  to  strengthen  their  kingdom  with  flat- 
tery and  deceit,  and  not  with  truth,  and  they  have 
sought  to  make  themselves  dreadful  by  violence,  and 
to  rule  with  cruelty,  and  not  with  the  sword  of  God, 
which  is  judgment  and  justice;  and  have  sought  hov- 
our  from  men,  and  not  from  the  Lord,' and  their  con- 
ering  hath  been  vain  glory,  and  not  the  spirit  of  God/ 
So  with  the  light  of  Christ  we  saw  their  foundation, 
and  their  building,  and  that  they  could  not  stand  long 
in  God's  sight,  and  that  all  that  joined  to  them  must 
fall  with  them;  and  that  the  woes  that  are  written  of 
such  must  certainly  overtake  them. 

And  this  is  the  cause,  and  no  other  thing,  why  we 
have  hitherto  borne  our  testimony  against  them  all, 
even  because  they  would  not  join  to  the  Lord,  nor 


al8a,69.  9.  Lam.  3. 14,  b  Rev.  31,  24.  clsri.^.Sl.  d  Jpr.  17,o.  e.Tohn.5,44 
f  Iraiah  to,  1 


(  584  ) 

Ijearlus  voice  h  tlieir  clay,  but  the  more  he  called  af- 
ter  thein  by  thfinouths  of  his  servants,  the  more  they 
were  hardened, uul  the  more  provoked  him  to  theirow  n 
confusion.  So  i  hath  not  been  prejudice  to  any  man's 
person,  that  hati  kept  us  at  a  distance  from  them,  or 
their  commandi;  for  we  can  truly  say  we  have  waited 
without  prejudi  e,  if  {)y  any  means  we  couhl  have  seen 
any  of  tiiem  seeking  the  kingdom  o!  God,  that  thereni 
they  might  hav;  been  established;  yea,  we  have  the 
witness  of  trutl  in  us  to  this  day,  how  glad  our  souls 
have  been  befoe  the  Lord,  when  we  have  but  felt  the 
least  tenderness  in  any  of  them,  arising  from  the  spirit 
«f  Jesu«,  Of  the  least  confession  from  his  light  in  them. 

And  sometines  we  have  felt  some  tenderness  in 
some  of  the-m,  vhen  they  have  been  low,  little  and  in 
fear,  in  which  ve  had  some  hope  and  gladness,  to  hear 
the  voice  of  siiiplicity  and  truth  (though  but  broken- 
hy)  so  that  we  could  then  have  said,  they  were  not  far 
from  the  kingdom  of  God:  but  turning  away  the  ear 
froTTi  the  spirit  of  truth  in  them,  and  consulting  with 
fleshly  wisdon^^,  and  carnal  reason  likely  to  make 
wise,  and  to  accomplish  their  self-ends,  how  soon 
kath  truth  fallen  in  them,  and  blindness  and  hardness 
of  heart  come  over  them  again  worse  than  before, 
which  being  sliowed  ns  of  God,  we  could  not  but  de- 
j^y  tiiem  also  to  be  of  God. 

Thus  in  general  an  account  is  given  to  you  that  ask 
a  reason,  why  we  have  not  yet  owned  any  power 
that  yet  hath  risen,  so  as  to  join  to  them  in  all  things. 

Now  to  you  who  <lesire  to  know  in  what  particulars 
we  have  differed  from  these  governments  that  yet  have 
risen  since  we  were  a  people;  we  might  say  our  lives, 
practices  and  sufferings  have  openly  declared  it, 
through  the  most  parts  of  these  nations,  and  in  most 
and  greatest  of  our  differences ;  yet  for  the  better  sat- 
isfying of  some  tiiat  know  not  so  much  as  others;  and 
to  take  away  all  occasion  of  offence,  from  all  that 
woidd  not  oppose  the  way  of  truth  if  they  knew  it, 
and  to  leave  without  excuse  the  wilfully  ignorant,  and 
persecutors  of  the  way  of  Christ;  I  shall  instance  in 


(  585  ) 


some  things,  and  also  shew  our  warrant  for  so  doing, 
both  by  scripture,  and  the  practice  of  the  holy  men  of 
God  in  their  generation ;  it  being  that  so  many  are  yet 
ignorant  and  unbelieving,  concerning  the  present  lead- 
ings of  the  spirit  of  truth  in  them,  which  is  chief  lead- 
er and  corner  stone  in  us,  by  which  we  walk  towards 
God,  and  towards  men  in  all  these  things.' 

And  as  to  that  first,  though  God  hath  laid  it  upon 
us,  as  matter  of  conscience,  to  be  subject  to  what  out- 
ward government, or  governors  soever  he  shall  set  up 
over  us  in  outward  things;  and  also  that  with  all  wil- 
lingness of  mind  a  ready  subjection  be  rendered  to  ev- 
ery just  command, not  for  fear  only,  but  even  for  con- 
I science  sake :  and  that  in  all  things  we  should  seek 
Ithe  safety  and  honour,  and  well  being  of  such  govern- 
ors, to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  even  as  we  look  to 
account  to  God  for  it,  of  Whom  the  powers  that  be 
are  ordained;  yet  hath  he  begotten  us  unto  himself 
alone,  and  to  the  leadings  of  his  own  spirit  in  all 
things  concerning  faith  and  worship,  as  to  the  matter, 
manner,  time  and  place:''  this  is  to  be  done  and  per- 
formed singly  as  to  him,  in  the  leadings  of  Jesus,  and 
in  the  power  of  his  spirit  alone,  else  will  he  have  no 
i  regard  thereto,  and  for  this  purpose  hath  he  given  the 
spirit  of  his  son  into  our  hearts,  to  be  our  light  and 
leader  in  all  these  things;''  to  which  leadings  and 
movings  the  father  requires  obedience  in  all  things 
pertaining  to  our  conscience ;  that  must  be  the  throne 
of  Christ  alone,  and  there  will  he  sway  the  sceptre  of 
t  eternal  life,  and  answer  his  people  in  all  things,  and 
be  their  saviour,  guide,  and  law  giver  in  all  things  that 
are  just  and  holy. 

So  that  if  at  anytime  their  teachers  have  left  the 
way  of  life,  and  would  lead  people  after  them,  yet 
hath  he  through  faith  and  a  tender  conscience,  pre- 
I  served  a  seed  out  of  error  to  himself  in  such  a  day,  by 
I  which  he  hath  proved  and  made  manifest  the  folly  of 
j  such  teachers.    And  to  this  the  scriptures  do  fully 

I      ^Rom  g  T1    Gal  ".  1ft.   b  Ma'  17.  5.    r  ^  Tor  10  «. 

74 


(  586  ) 


testify,  as  in  the  days  of  the  prophets,  when  they  er- 
red in  vision,  and  had  not  the  word  in  tiieni,  and  so 
caused  the  people  to  err,  through  their  lies  and  through 
their  Tightness;^  then  had  he  men  of  enlightened  non- 
sciences,  to  send  to  reprove  their  bnitishness.  thc.Migh 
otherwise  they  themselves  were  neither  prophets  nor 
sons  of  prophets,  but  may  be  a  herdsman,  or  a  gath- 
erer of  sycamore  fruit,  a  ploughman  oi  a  shepherd,  or 
some  such  which  England's  pride  would  call  n-echan- 
ic  fellows yet  in.  these  was  a  seed  preserved,  else  the 
land  might  have  become  as  Sodom,  and  not  one  have 
known  the  Lord  nor  his  word.    And  as  it  was  in  the 
days  of  the  false  prophets,  so  hath  it  been  since  the 
days  of  the  false  ministry;  by  which  many  have  suf- 
fered since  the  days  of  the  apostles,  for  testifying 
against  such  as  have  erred  in  spirit,  form  and  doctrine, 
from  Christ  Jesus  and  his  apostles.    And  this  hath 
been  from  the  indwelling  power  of  Christ  in  them,  and 
his  precious  light  shining  in  their  hearts  and  con- 
sciences, that  they  have  thus  been  preserved,  and  ena- 
bled to  bear  the  testimony  of  Christ,  against  false 
worships  and  worshippers;  and  so  it  is  at  this  day,  in 
all  who  keep  a  pure  conscience  towards  God  in  ail  his 
word  and  worship,  that  his  true  and  spiritual  worship 
might  not  be  wholly  lost  out  of  the  world. 

Also  if  at  any  time  their  kings  and  rulers  forgot 
God,orkings  arose  who  knew  not  God,  and  then  would 
lay  upon  them  laws  and  commands,  which  were  not 
just  and  lawful  for  them  to  do,  then  by  the  light  of 
Christ  in  a  pure  conscience  they  were  enabled  to 
withstand  them,  even  unto  death ;  as  that  of  Mordecai 
and  the  Jews,  who  would  rather  be  destroyed,  than 
bow  to  Haman's  pride  at  the  king's  command though 
England's  people  would  have  said  this  is  but  a  civil 
thing,  and  duty  and  good  manners,  and  the  like;  yet 
God's  law  in  their  conscience  they  preferred  above  all 
that  the  king  commanded  contrary  thereto;  yea,  life 
and  all  would  they  lose  rather  than  defile  their  con- 


»Isa^!fl,7     7pr.^3    AmosS.  4.   HCh.7.>4    Jer.  2.T    Tsa.1.9.    c  Hester  3 


(  587  ; 


science  towards  God,  or  deny  his  law  there,  though 
ao  law  withont  had  forbidden  such  a  thing:  yet  in 
other  cases  did  they  appear  true  and  subject  to  the 
king,  for  Mordt  cai's  truth  saved  the  king's  life  not 
long  before,  though  from  man  he  had  little  reward 
tbr  it. 

Likewise  might  be  instanced  that  of  Daniel's  pray 
•ng  contrary  to  the  decrees  of  tlie  king,  his  counsel  of 
presidents  and  princes;'  and  that  of  the  three  childreQ 
against  the  fierce  com  and  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  in 
denying  to  worship  at  his  will  and  pleasure.  Like- 
wise that  of  the  apostles,  when  the  rulers  and  priests 
also  charged  them  strai^fctly  not  to  preach  any  more, 
their  answer  before  autlu^rity  was,  we  ought  to  obey 
God  rather  than  man?  Yea,  it  woukl  be  too  long  to 
^ell  how  many  godly  men  and  women,  upon  the  ac- 
count of  a  pure  conscience  not  only  hazarded  their 
lives,  but  lost  life  and  all  for  the  testimony  of  a  tender 
conscience,  as  might  be  instanced.  But  this  may  be 
3aid  for  all.  that  if  they  would  but  have  denied  the 
law  of  God  in  their  jconscience,  and  conformed  to  the 
wills  of  men,  and  their  laws,  not  one  of  all  the  proph- 
3ts,  apostles,  or  all  the  holy  men  of  God  need  to  have 
suffered  death  or  spoil. 

So  now  in  that  any  of  us  by  the  same  spirit  ot 
Christ,  and  from  his  light  and  law  in  our  consciences, 
are  moved  to  go  testify  against  false  prophets,  false 
worships,  and  declare  the  way  of  truth  to  all  people 
against  them  to  their  face.  And  if  rulers  have  been 
so  opposite  to  this,  as  to  make  laws  against  it,  and  to 
command  us  to  bow  and  worship  at  their  wills,  which 
for  conscience  sake  towards  God  we  could  not,  for 
which  we  have  suffered  the  spoiling  of  goods,  long 
and  heavy  imprisonments,  shameful  usings  and  loss  of 
jives  also:  I  say,  in  this  we  have  a  cloud  of  witnesses, 
even  the  Lord  Jesus  our  captain,  and  the  whole  body 
of  martyrs,  who  have  all  gone  before  us  in  the  self 
same  obedience  of  faith  and  spirit,  and  have  suffered 
the  same  or  such  like  things,  from  rulers  and  teachers 

a  Dan.  6.    Dan.  3.   b  Acts  5.  28.  29. 


(   588  ) 


thai  knew  not  God  in  their  days,  and  all  of  them  a* 
their  days  were  counted  offenders,  heretics,  or  despi- 
sers  of  authority,  or  some  such  reproach  was  cast 
upon  them,  by  their  accusers  and  persecutors,  for  obey- 
ing the  law  of  their  God  in  their  consciences,  whom 
the  ruiers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world  have  not 
known,*  nor  can  know,  till  they  believe  his  light  in 
their  own  consciences. 

So  it  is  not  for  new  things,  nor  strange  opinions 
which  was  never  in  the  world  before,  for  which  we 
suffer,  though  to  the  world  they  seem  new  and 
strange)  but  for  the  very  same  works  of  the  same 
spirit  of  light  and  truth,  which  hath  often  appeared 
in  a  poor  contemptible  people,  and  hath  as  often  re- 
ceived the  same  measure,  from  them  who  profess  in 
words,  but  in  works  deny  him ;  by  such  have  we  suf- 
fered, who  read,  and  partly  preach  the  same  in  words, 
which  this  eternal  spirit  in  us  now  worketh;  and  by 
such  who  with  words  garnish  the  sepulchres  of  those 
vviiom  their  fathers  sj^ew,  are  we  counted  great  offen- 
ders, for  being  found  in  the  same  way  and  practice, 
and  in  obedience  to  the  sam.e  spirit,  in  that  measure  as 
we  have  received  it.    So  we  have  this  added  to  the 
testimony  of  a  good  conscience  towards  God  and 
towards  men,  that  we  suffer  not  for  evil  doing,  though 
as  evil  doers;  (to  wit)  the  practice  of  holy  men  and 
the  scriptures  of  truth,  which  will  own  us  herein,  and 
stand  on  our  parts  against  all  our  adversaries  and 
accusers.    And  this  will  be  proved  so  when  we  come 
to  particulars  wherein  we  differ  from  the  ways  and 
worships  of  these  present  times,  and  for  which  we  are 
so  much  hated  and  persecuted. 

And  we  know  that  it  will  not  be  found  harmful  to 
the  bodies,  estates,  or  well-being  of  any  christian 
neighbourhood,  nor  of  any  other  people  in  the  nations, 
to  practise  those  things  wherein  we  differ  in  civil  and 
temporal  things,  nor  hurtful  to  the  souls  of  any,  in  the 
things  wherein  we  differ  in  religious  or  spiritual  matters, 
from  the  several  opinions  and  forms  of  worships  that 

a  John  16. 2,3 


(   589  ) 


Are  or  have  been  set  up  in  these  nations;  as  we  shall 
make  it  plainly  appear,  if  either  spirit  of  truth,  or  scrip- 
ture of  truth,  or  things  equal  may  be  received  on  our 
part.  Now  we  shall  mention  some  particulars  in  which 
we  differ  for  conscience  sake  from  some  of  tiie  forms, 
traditions,  and  commands  of  the  men  of  this  present 
age,  and  the  powers  that  have  ruled  therein,  under 
whom  we  have  therefore  suffered  as  evil  doers. 


AND  FIRST,  AS  TO  THOSE  THINGS  WHICH  SOME  CALL  ClML. 

And  indeed  it  may  be  wondered  at  by  any  moderate 
people,  that  in  a  nation  called  christian,  any  man 
should  suffer  so  much,  as  to  be  called  an  offendor  for 
some  of  the  things  that  I  must  mention  upon  this  ac- 
count [especially  they  being  laid  upon  us  by  the  spirit 
of  Christ,  as  matter  of  conscience]  and  by  a  people  so 
highly  pretending  for  liberty  of  conscience. 

As  it  hath  been  laid  upon  us  by  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
to  use  the  same  single  language  to  ail  sorts  of  people, 
which  is  used  in  the  scriptures,  and  all  the  holy  men 
of  God  therein  have  ever  used,  that  is  to  say,  thou  to 
any  one  person,  and  you  to  more  than  one ;  a  language, 
sound  and  true  to  God  and  man,  which  the  spirit  of 
God  first  spoke  and  gave  to  man,  and  of  man  received 
it  again  without  offence,  and  never  since  gave  to  man 
any  form  of  speech,  as  we  may  read  in  the  scriptures 
of  truth.  And  in  this  we  differ  from  some  sorts  of  peo- 
ple, and  for  it  have  suffered  as  great  offenders,  and  have 
undergone  very  grievous  censures  divers  of  us,  though 
it  hath  been  laid  on  our  consciences  from  the  Lord; 
yea,  the  scriptures  also  command  the  form  of  sound 
words  to  be  holden  fast.*  Now  why  those  who  pro- 
fess the  scriptures  for  their  rule,  should  persecute  us 


a  2  Tim.  1.  13. 


(   590  ) 


for  using  the  language  of  it,  may  be  thought  strange 
the  hearers  thereof;  yet  for  this  we  suffer  for  a  tes^ 
mony  against  them. 

Also  it  hath  been  laid  upon  us  by  the  Lord  to  call 
men  and  women  by  their  own  names,  which  their  fath- 
ers have  given  to  them,  to  he  known  by  amongst  men; 
and  though  in  this  we  differ  from  some  sorts  of  people, 
who  can  give  flattering  titles  to  some  people  instead  of 
their  names,  and  reproachfully  miscall  others  instead 
of  their  names,  yet  herein  we  are  owned  by  the  scrip- 
tures of  truth,  and  the  practice  of  all  holy  men  therein, 
who  never  refused  their  own  names  to  take  a  proud 
title,  but  owned  their  names  that  God  had  given  them. 
And  saith  the  scripture,  let  me  not  give  flattering  titles 
to  man,  for  in  so  doing  my  maker  would  soon  take  me 
away.  And  if  you  respect  persons  you  commit  sin. 
and  are  convinced  of  the  law  as  evil  doers;'  yet  for 
this  we  have  suff'ered  also  by  this  generation,  as  evil- 
doers and  contemners  of  authority,  though  we  know, 
that  to  call  a  man  by  his  name  contemns  not  his  au- 
thority, nor  do  we  it  for  that  end,  but  in  obedience  to 
truth,  and  for  conscience  towards  God. 

Also  that  about  our  Hats  putting  of,  which  hath 
been  so  great  an  offence  to  many;  this  also  hath  been 
laid  upon  our  consciences  by  the  Lord,  and  we  dare 
not  disobey  him  therein  to  please  men,  though  some- 
times it  hath  been  said,  that  if  we  would  but  put  off 
our  hats,  we  should  not  go  to  prison;  others  have  said, 
when  we  come  before  them  for  judgment  and  justice, 
you  shall  have  no  justice,  unless  you  put  off  your  hats; 
yea,  some  have  hazarded  their  lives  herein,  yet  durst 
not  disobey  God  herein,  though  they  have  suffered  long 
therefore ;  and  lost  their  rights  for  want  of  justice ;  yet 
we  have  not  dared  to  disobey  our  God  herein,  but 
have  valued  our  peace  with  him  and  a  pure  conscience 
above  all  sufferings  and  profits  herein.  Now,  this  is 
beyond  all  the  persecutors  of  old,  that  men  should  suf- 
fer for  their  hats;  yea,  even  Nebuchadnezzar  in  his 
greatest  heat  of  persecution,  made  not  that  an  offence 

a  Job  32.  21 ,  22.   Jam.  2.   b  Dan.  3.  2J . 


(  59.1  ) 


©  keep  on  tlieii  imts  more  than  their  other  garments; 
jut  with  their  hats  on,  as  well  as  hose  and  other  gar- 
nents,  they  were  bound  and  cast  into  the  fire;  nor  do 
ve  find  in  all  the  scriptures  precept  or  practice  of  that 
:hing,  yet  for  this  we  have  deeply  suffered,  in  divers 
3arts  of  this  nation.  Thus  would  people  and  powers 
irive  us  from  the  obedience  of  our  God  in  a  pure  con- 
>cience,  and  instead  thereof  cause  us  to  sumbit  to  a 
vain  custom,  for  which  we  have  no  warrant,  neither  in 
>cripture  nor  good  example;  but  saith  the  Lord,  ye 
shall  keep  mine  ordinances,  but  the  customs  of  the 
jeople  are  vain  and  abominable,  you  shall  not  defile 
vourselves  therewith.'  So  we  obey  God  rather  than 
nen,  and  by  men  who  profess  God  suffer  for  so  doing. 

This  also  hath  been  commanded  us  of  the  Lord, 
md  laid  upon  our  consciences,  not  to  swear  at  all, 
Lipon  any  occasion  whatsoever;*'  and  because  of  this 
we  have  forborn  to  swear,  when  men  have  called  us 
thereto,  whether  to  swear  at  any  change  of  govern- 
ment, or  whatever  it  hath  been,  we  may  not  swear  at 
all.    And  for  this  we  have  deeply  suffered  also,  as 
contemners  of  the  law,  though  we  have  not  despised 
government,  but  have  consented  to  what  just  thing 
was  required  of  us  in  truth  of  heart,  without  swearmg. 
And  for  this  we  have  the  express  command  of  Christ: 
Jesus,  svho  hath  said,  swear  not  at  all ;  and  his  apos- 
tle said,  above  all  things  my  brethren,  swear  not,  lest 
you  fall  into  condemnation.*"    And  we  have  also  the 
practice  of  the  followers  of  Christ,  who  refused  to 
take  an  oath ;  for  to  such  as  receive  Christ  there  is  the 
end  of  swearing,  and  divers  other  things,  which  before 
Christ  came  to  end  them,  were  ordinances  of  God, 
but  Christ  the  covenant  everlasting  hath  ended  all 
swearings  of  men  whatsoever,  and  forbidden  they  are 
in  his  name  upon  pain  of  condemnation.    Further,  in 
the  time  of  Moses,  when  swearing  was  in  the  Jewish 
Church,  ii  was  not  to  be  forced  upon  them,  but  they 
might  swear  or  not,  as  the  case  required,  without  any 
carnal  punishment  to  force  them  to  swear,  nor  was  it 


^        IS  30.   b  Jer.  1^.  10,    r  Mat.  5.  34,   Jam.  5. 12. 


(   592  ) 


required  of  witnesses  lo  swear  betwixt  a  man  and 
his  neighbour,  two  witnesses  were  to  establish  the 
matter  before  the  judge;  but  I  never  read  of  those 
two  required  to  swear,  that  was  as  to  a  man's  own 
particular;  as  when  a  man  had  taken  a  pledge,  and 
it  was  stolen  from  him.  then  an  oath  was  to  be  taken 
of  that  man  in  his  own  behalf,  that  he  put  not  his 
hand  to  the  stealing  of  it,  and  then  he  was  not  to  re- 
pay it  again;  but  if  he  would  repay  it  he  needed  not 
swear:  so  he  was  not  forced.  And  except  in  this 
case,  and  in  the  trial  of  jealousy,  Numb.  5,  19.  I  find 
not  an  oath  required  by  any  judge  in  Moses's  law.  So 
these  who  make  us  offenders  for  denying  to  swear, 
exceed  the  law  of  Moses  and  contradict  the  law  of 
Christ,  by  whom  swearing  at  all  is  expressly  forbid- 
den; for  saith  Christ,  it  hath  been  said  by  them  of 
old  time,  thou  shalt  not  forswear  thyself,  but  shalt 
perform  unto  the  Lord  thy  oaths.*  So  here  was  Mo- 
ses's time,  and  swearing  to  the  Lord  commanded  in 
truth;  but  (saith  Christ)  I  say  unto  you, swear  not  at 
all ;  and  he  is  greater  than  Moses,  whose  time  is  with- 
out end. 

Further,  as  to  the  administration  of  the  laws  of 
these  nations  in  these  late  years,  there  we  have  seen 
mnuy  things  which  in  conscience  we  cannot  join  to, 
being  shewed  to  us  to  be  out  of  truth  and  equity,  and 
not  helps,  but  burthens  to  the  nations.    Now  as  to 
ourselves,  so  many  as  walk  in  Christ  Jesus,  we  have 
one  judge  and  law-giver  appointed  to  us  for  that  end 
by  the  father;  and  we  may  not  go  to  law  one  with 
another,  as  men  being  come  to  Christ  Jesus,  the  end 
of  lust,  pride,  and  strife,  which  we  have  found  to  be 
the  cause  of  fightings,  and  suits  at  law;  and  if  any 
thing  of  that  nature  would  arise  in  any  of  us,  by  our 
Judge  and  law-giver  it  is  judged,  and  we  are  saved. 

And  it  is  laid  upon  us  by  the  spirit  of  truth  not  to 
seek  to  nvenge  ourselves  of  such  as  seek  to  wrong  us,  • 
but  to  love  our  enemies,  and  pray  for  them  that  des- 
pitefully  use  us,  and  persecute  us r*"  and  so  to  suffer 

aLev.  19, 12.   Mat.  5, 34.  bMat.5-. 


(    593  ) 


for  peace  sake;  for  to  peace  we  are  called  towards 
all  men,  and  under  the  prince  of  peace  is  our  govern- 
ment, who  are  all  in  unity  of  spirit  and  life  in  Christ 
Tesus. 

But  when  men  haul  us  before  judgment-seats,  or 
cause  us  to  appear  at  their  courts  of  law,  then  we 
meet  with  many  things  among  them  there  which  for 
conscience  sake  we  cannot  bow  to,  nor  uphold,  find- 
'ing  them  not  only  against  the  rule  of  christians,  but 
'out  of  the  way  of  common  honesty  as  men,  yea,  ma- 
ny things  against  truth  itself,  and  this  we  cannot 
serve  for  law,  which  is  against  truth. 

As  when  they  send  a  writ  to  appear  at  their  courts 
in  a  man's  own  proper  person,  and  in  obedience  there- 
to we  have  come  [may  be]  two  hundred  miles  or 
above,  and  tendered  our  appearance  accordingly  at 
the  very  day  appointed,  then  they  have  with  violence 
and  reproach  thrust  us  cut  of  their  courts,  because  we 
did  ap[)ear  in  our  own  persons,  and  not  in  another 
man's  person,  whom  we  have  not  known.  And  for 
this  have  we  suffered  much  damage  and  long  impris- 
onment, as  contemners  of  authority  and  law.  Now 
this  we  cannot  own  as  honesty  and  truth,  and  plain 
dealing  as  men,  to  let  go  all  talk  of  christians,  the 
heathen  would  not  do  this  to  us. 

Also  when  our  adversary  puts  up  a  bill  of  charge 
against  us,  drawn  up  in  a  form  without  truth,  filled 
with  false  accusations,  as  though  our  offence»^amounted 
I  to  hundreds  or  thousands  of  pounds  wrong  or  damage, 
when  with  the  truth  of  Christ  in  our  conscience  we 
know,  that  we  have  never  wronged  that  man  one  pen- 
ny in  our  lives,  but  that  it  is  the  enemy  of  truth  and 
peace,  even  that  old  accuser  of  the  brethren,  which 
now  works  in  that  creature  to  spoil  our  goods,  or  take 
our  lives  or  liberties  from  us ;  then  we  are  not  suffered 
to  return  an  answer  in  the  fear  of  our  God  and  in 
plainness  and  truth  of  expressions,  as  the  spirit  of 
truth  shall  move  in  the  simplicity  of  our  hearts:  and 
so  with  the  spirit  of  truth  to  deny  the  lies  and  false 
accusations  of  the  adversary:  But  we  must  be  forced 

75 


(  594  ) 


to  give  unreasonable  sums  of  money,  to  another  man, 
to  answer  in  our  stead,  who  for  aught  we  know  may, 
instead  of  reproving  those  abominable  lies,  excuse 
them,  at  least  as  a  form  at  law.  And  thus  our  testi- 
mony against  falsehood  is  obstructed,  which  the  spi- 
rit of  truth  requires  of  us,  and  we  must  pay  money  to 
have  that  justified  as  a  form  of  law,  which  we  know 
to  be  a  form  of  lies:^  and  we  cannot  leave  the  truth 
to  serve  this  deceit;  and  if  the  truth  was  no  dearer 
to  us  than  to  give  it  up  to  be  betrayed*/  yet  it  seems 
unreasonable  to  us,  as  men,  to  give  our  cause  into  the 
hands  of  him  that  knows  it  not,  further  than  we  in- 
form him,  and  then  have  no  assurance  whether  he 
will  speak  our  words  or  his  own ;  and  so  bring  us  un- 
der the  guilt  of  that  falsehood.  This  appears  to  us 
very  unreasonable  and  dangerous,  and  below  the 
privilege  of  a  man,  as  a  man,  much  more  as  a  chris- 
tian: so  we  rather  choose  to  suffer  innocently  under 
it,*"  keeping  our  consciences  clear,  than  consent  there- 
to, and  so  establish  mischief  under  pretence  of  a  law, 
PsaL  94,  20.  and  deny  our  testimony  for  the  truth,  to 
^hich  we  are  called,  and  for  which  we  suffer  in  all 
these  things. 

Also,  if  any  of  us  be  sued  at  the  exchequer,  or 
chancery,  and  appear  and  take  a  copy  of  the  bill, 
and  go  to  the  Judges  with  a  true  answer  thereto,  they 
will  refuse  it  because  we  cannot  swear,  though  they 
will  show  us  no  written  law  for  so  doing,  but  tell  us 
it's  a  custom,  and  this  custom  is  preferred  above  his 
law  who  saith,  swear  not  at  all ;  and  for  this  many 
have  been  imprisoned,  it  being  put  upon  us,  either  to 
deny  their  custom  or  Christ's  command:  so  we  choose 
to  suffer  by  men  for  a  season,  rather  than  defile  our 
consciences. 

If  we  be  summoned  to  do  service  for  the  country, 
on  a  jury,  and  be  willing  to  do  the  service  faithfully, 
as  to  God  and  man,  yet  because  we  cannot  swear, 
many  are  fined,  imprisoned,  and  their  goods  spoiled. 


a  Isa.  59,  4.  Isa.  24,  15.  Jfir,  9,  3,  4.  5.  b  Prov.  12,  19,  22.  Pror.  29. 
c  Psa.  40.4. 


(   595  ) 


liKl  reputed  unserviceable  in  the  nation,  when  we 
ivonld  freely  serve  the  country,  so  as  we  might  not 
;herein  deny  Christ  our  saviour. 

If  one  of  us  be  summoned  to  appear  at  a  court  for 
I  witness,  that  would  testify  the  truth  before  God 
from  a  good  conscience,  and  in  the  fear  of  God,  and 
According  to  his  law,  viz.  in  all  things  that  if  we 
should  wrong  any  man  whatsoever  through  our  false 
j^estimony,  that  it's  just  the  same  should  be  done  to 
^as;'  yet  because  we  cannot  swear  (be  the  action  ne- 
jver  so  great)  our  true  testimony  is  refused,  and  we 
thrust  away  without  judgment,  and  threatened  to 
icause  us  to  pay  what  they  say  tlie  party  is  damnified 
for  our  not  swearing:  and  all  this  we  must  suffer  for 
obeying  Christ's  commands. 

If  one  of  us  should  buy  a  piece  of  land,  or  have  some 
fallen  to  him  by  inheritance,  and  come  to  the  court 
baron  to  take  it  up,  they  will  not  let  him  take  it  except 
he  swear,  and  so  break  Christ's  sayings;  or  if  a  man 
purchase,  or  have  an  inheritance  within  a  customary 
court,  it's  the  same,  and  they  will  turn  us  off  without  it, 
if  we  will  not  swear  contrary  to  Christ's  commands. 
And  thus  is  the  evil  custom  of  a  court  preferred  before 
Christ's  commands,  a  good  conscience,  and  a  fami- 
lies whole  estate  and  livelihood. 

If  a  man  bind  an  apprentice  in  this  city  of  London, 
and  give  a  great  sum  of  money  with  him,  and  the  ap- 
prentice serves  his  time  honestly  and  truly,  and  have 
his  meter's  testimony  thereto,  yet  is  he  denied  his 
freedom,  if  he  cannot  swear  for  conscience  sake, 
and  so  must  lose  money  and  service,  if  he  be  faithful 
to  Christ. 

j  If  one  of  us  should  die  intestate,  they  will  not  suffer 
'our  own  wife  or  children  to  administer  on  our  own 
goods,  unless  they  will  swear  against  their  conscience, 
and  the  law  of  Christ ;  or  if  we  make  a  will,  and  make 
wife  or  children  executor,  they  are  denied  to  prove 
\  the  will,  whereby  they  are  to  enjoy  their  estates,  but 
by  breaking  that  command  of  Christ  in  swearing, 

j     aDeut.  19,  16,17,18, 19,20 


(   596  ) 


Likewise  when  some  of  us  have  been  arrested  to  aj. 
pear  at  such  a  court  such  a  day,  and  have  simply  giv- 
en bond  to  appear;  and  when  the  appearance  hath 
been  made  at  the  day  expressed  by  the  party  so  bound, 
neither  the  appearance  would  be  taken,  nor  the  bond 
delivered,  but  a  further  snare,  because  another  man 
appears  not  for  us,  whom  we  never  knew,  nor  had 
aught  to  do  withal. 

Also  about  marriage,  which  we  know  to  be  an  or- 
dinance of  God  from  the  beginning,  and  being  ordered 
in  the  counsel  of  God,  and  the  bed  not  defiled,  is  hon- 
ourable, but  whoremongers  and  adulterers  God  will 
judge/  So  as  any  are  moved  of  the  Lord  into  that 
state,  we  say  the  counsel  of  the  Lord  is  first  and  chief- 
ly to  be  minded,  and  the  thing  weighed  in  his  fear, 
that  it  be  done  only  in  the  Lord,  that  it  be  not  taken 
on  lightly,  rashly,  nor  chiefly  for  any  earthly  ends,  but 
in  the  moving  and  ordering  of  the  almighty  creator  of 
man  and  woman,  who  only  knows  their  spirits,  so  to 
join  them  as  they  may  be  one  in  flesh  and  spirit,  and 
may  lead  a  godly  and  peaceable  life.  And  this  is 
God's  ordinance,  and  those  whom  God  joins  together, 
saith  Christ,  let  not  man  put  such  asunder;  and  this 
we  say  is  the  chief  thing  to  be  observed,  viz.  thai  God 
join  them;  and  that  notice  be  given  to  the  parents,  or 
such  as  have  the  oversight  of  each  party,  that  (as  much 
as  may  be)  all  may  be  done  in  love  and  unity  in  the 
will  of  God  openly.  And  this  we  have  fsund  from 
God  in  spirit,  and  this  we  find  in  scripture,  t(?be  the 
ordinance  of  Gcd  to  his  saints  of  old,  and  their  liberty 
in  the  Lord,  which  God  never  altered,  which  we  keep 
for  conscience  sake,  and  may  not  break.  And  lest  any 
licentious  persons  should  abuse  this  liberty,  to  satisfy 
their  lusts,  and  then  not  live  as  man  and  wife  during 
their  lives,  and  the  magistrates  not  know  of  t  hem, 
and  so  they  escape  the  sword  of  justice,  we  have 
freedom  in  our  spirits  to  acquaint  some  of  the  next  ma- 
gistrates with  our  intents,  and  thereby  confess  our- 
selves liable  to  the  just  censure  of  the  magistrate* 


al  CoE.  7>39. 


(  597  ) 


with  others,  in  case  of  misdemeanor,  and  all  this  we 
have  done  ere  coming  together  as  man  and  wife ;  which 
is  as  much  as  the  ordinance  of  God,  or  any  reason  can 
justly  require;  yet  have  some  of  us  suffered  in  this 
case  by  the  changeable  laws  of  men,  who  some  of 
them  have  sought  to  impose  one  sort  of  priests  on  us 
as  an  ordinance,  others  justices  as  an  ordinance,  and 
others  another  sort  of  priests  again.  So  for  denying 
ithese  uncertain  rules  of  men,  and  keeping  the  ordi- 
nance of  God  that  was  in  the  bepjinning,''  we  suffer  by 
lall  of  them  as  evil  doers, yet  have  they  not  one  charge 
against  any  of  us,  who  have  been  joined  together  to 
this  ordinance  of  God,  as  to  breach  of  marriage,  or 
misdeineanor  therein;  for  we  hate  putting  avvaj,  and 
come  to  that  which  was  in  the  beginning.'' 

Theae  with  many  other  things  there  be,  as  touching 
the  outward  laws,  whereby  both  our  lives,  liberties 
,and  estates,  become  a  daily  prey  to  merciless  men^ 
from  which  hath  been  manifest  such  imprisoning  till 
death,  such  persecution  and  spoil  of  goods,  as  many 
generations  to  come  may  admire  to  read  of,  though  in 
this  generation  it's  little  regarded  or  minded,  unless  it 
be  by  some  few,  whose  hearts  God  hath  tendered,  that 
have  not  been  so  cruel  in  their  places  as  others. 

Now  let  none  say,  that  because  we  cannot  bow  to 
such  unrighteous  dealings  of  corrupt  men,  or  their  cor- 
rupt customs,  or  corrupt  laws;  that  therefore  we  are 
a  people  that  would  have  no  law,  nor  magistracy  at 
ail, as  some  have  falsely  accused  us:  for  of  this  we 
are  clear  before  the  Lord  our  God,  whatever  men  may 
accuse  us  herein;  for  the  law  of  God  we  own  in  our 
conscience,  even  the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life,  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord  and  lawgiver,'  by  which  we 
are  taught,  to  keep  our  consciences  void  of  offence  to- 
wards God,  and  towards  men,  by  which  we  are  freed 
from  under  the  power  of  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  And 
by  this  law  of  God  in  our  consciences,  we  are  also 
taught  to  be  subject  to  every  power  God  shall  set  up 
over  us,  by  which  teaching  we  know  that  the  powers 


aMat.  19.  8    b  MaM9.  4, 5.   c  Rom.  8,  2. 


(   598  j 


that  be,  are  ordained  of  God,  And  by  the  same  law 
of  God  in  our  hearts  and  consciences,  by  which  we  are 
made  to  suffer,  rather  than  to  obey  that  which  is  un- 
just, by  the  same  jaw,  and  upon  the  same  penalty,  are 
we  made  to  be  subject  and  obey  every  just  and  whole- 
some law  of  man,  for  conscience  sake:  therefore,  as 
the  ordinance  of  God,  we  obey,  and  own  authority  in 
the  nation;  and  the  ruler  of  the  people  as  the  minister 
of  God,  for  good  to  such  as  do  well,  but  a  terror  to  eve- 
ry evil  doer,  without  respect  of  persons;*  so  we  being 
guided  by  the  pure  law  of  God  in  our  consciences,  are 
subject  not  for  wrath,  but  for  conscience  sake;  for  he 
is  not  a  terror  to  them  that  do  well,  and  obey  God  in 
their  consciences:  but  if  any  do  evil,  let  such  fear,  for 
he  is  the  minister  of  God,  and  bears  not  the  sword  in 
vain.  And  for  this  cause  we  pa)  tribute  to  whom  it 
belongs,  and  fear  to  whom  fear,  honour  to  whom  hon- 
our; and  from  this  we  exempt  not  ourselves  more  than 
other  people  in  the  same  nation;  but  desire  rather  to 
be  examples  to  others  with  all  diligence,  not  speaking 
evil  of  governments  as  many  do,  which  will  flatter  to 
their  faces;  but  seeking  to  our  God  for  what  authority 
he  shall  ordain,  that  under  them  we  may  be  godly  and 
quietly  governed,  without  respect  of  persons. 

Therefore  we  might  say,  as  to  all  the  several  rulers 
that  have  arisen  in  these  years,  since  we  were  a  peo- 
ple in  God's  light,  which  of  them  have  we  reviled 
or  sought  to  supplant,  or  what  just  law,  old  or  new 
[which  hath  been  according  to  scripture  or  a  good 
conscience]  have  we  denied  or  transgressed  ?  Though 
from  the  evil  and  abuse  of  all,  God  hath  by  his  eter- 
nal light,  and  the  power  of  his  spirit,  preserved  us  to 
this  day,  glory  to  our  God  for  evermore.  So  our  con- 
sciences are  clear  towards  them  that  are  fallen  as  to 
that  thing,  by  whom  we  so  much  suffered  in  their  day. 

And  now  in  God's  dread  and  fear  we  are,  and  in  his 
pure  counsel  alone,  we  desire  to  be  found  towards 
you  that  are  now  come  up  into  the  seat  of  government, 
that  if  by  any  means,  we  might  not  be  any  occasion 


(  599  ) 

offence,  or  hardening  of  your  hearts,  by  our  disobe- 
dience or  denying  any  of  your  laws,  which  are  just, 
wholesome  and  good,  and  according  to  God's  truth  in 
scripture:  nor,  that  on  the  contrary  we  niight  provoke 
our  pure-ey'd  and  Jealous  God  and  father  to  displeas- 
ure against  us,  by  yielding  to  any  thing  whatsoever, 
or  obeying  what  is  any  way  against  his  spirit  in  our 
hearts,  or  the  light  of  Christ  in  our  consciences.  And 
this  at  present  is  our  straight  way,  set  before  us  to 
w  alk  in  towards  God,  and  towards  nnan;  and  there- 
fore the  desire  and  travail  of  our  souls  is  great  at  this 
day,  that  you  might  be  one  with  God  in  your  laws  and 
commands,  that  so,  under  you  we  might  be  godly  and 
quietly  governed,  within  and  without.    But  if  yet,  it 
must  be  so,  that  your  distance  be  so  great,  that  with 
one  heart  we  cannot  obey  you  both ;  then  whether  is  it 
belter  to  obey  God  or  men  [with  the  light  of  God  in 
your  own  consciences]  judge  you?''  Therefore,  if  we 
cannot  keep  peace  with  you,  we  choose  to  keep  our 
everlasting  peace  with  God,  and  that  saving  faith 
that's  held  in  a  pure  conscience;"  and  our  prayers  to 
the  father  of  lights  are,  for  the  whole  body  of  Christ's 
church,  and  every  member  thereof,  that  our  hearts 
may  be  kept  single  to  him  alone,  whatever  we  suffej 
from  men  for  so  doing.'' 


N<r\V  TO  THOSE  THINGS  WHICH  SOME  CALL  RELIGlOt^. 

Though  in  ourselves  we  make  no  such  difference, 
it  being  that  our  consciences  are  to  be  exercised  in  the 
light  and  spirit  of  Christ  in  all  we  do  towards  God, 
and  towards  man ;  and  every  particular  action  towards 
men,  God  requires  that  it  be  done  as  to  him,  and  tv> 


aAct.s4.  19.  b2Cor.l«2.  clTiin,3.9i 


(  600  ) 


ijis  glory,  and  not  in  our  own  wills,  nor  in  nr.en's  wills, 
nor  after  their  w^ills,  manners  and  customs,  and  com- 
mands, but  in  the  will  of  God  alone,  revealed  in  Christ 
Jesus  in  spirit,  and  in  his  motion  and  leadings;  which 
if  vve  miss  in,  and  serve  either  men  or  ourselves  there- 
in, and  not  God,  we  are  accountable  to  him,  as  thoi.gh 
we  had  erred  in  that  which  the  w^orld  calls  religion; 
therefore,  whatever  we  do  to  God  in  ('hrist,  to  us  is 
his  service  and  pure  religion,  and  undefiled  before  God, 
if  we  keep  but  our  conscience  unspotted  from  the 
world;  though  it  be  but  in  visiting  a  fatherless  child, 
or  a  widow,  in  their  affliction,  or  any  other  thing  which 
the  spirit  of  truth,  justice  and  mercy  leads  us  to,  and 
requires  of  us.' 

But  as  the  worship  of  God  itself,  hath  relation  to 
him  alone,  w^ho  is  a  spirit,  and  will  be  worshipped  in 
spirit,  and  in  truth,^  betwixt  him  and  every  particular 
creature  only  known,  in  matter,  measure  and  manner, 
time  and  place.  And  knowing  that  the  only  wise 
God,  who  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men,*"  and  giveth 
it  to  whomsoever  he  will,  and  (many  times)  setteth  up 
over  it  the  basest  of  men,  without  controul,  if  he 
please  to  deal  in  judgment  towards  any  nation;  yet 
this  hath  he  reserved  as  an  eternal  sceptre  in  the 
hand  of  Jesus  our  Lord,  and  by  an  everlasting  cove- 
nant concerning  him,  thou  art  a  king  forever,  over  the 
holy  people  (or  saints)  and  his  throne  is  established  in 
their  consciences  by  a  perpetual  decree,  to  all  gener- 
ations; therefore  was  it  never  known,  that  ever  he 
trusted  or  titled  any  earthly  prince,  with  Lord  over 
the  faith  and  consciences  of  his  own  people:  this  was 
ever  the  son's  prerogative  above  the  kings  of  the  earth, 
and  he  alone  is  to  be  judge  and  lawgiver,  and  correc- 
tor, and  leader,  in  that  invisible  spiritual  work  of  wor- 
ship towards  God,  for  he  only  knows  the  way,  and 
none  comes  to  the  father  but  by  bim.'^ 

It's  true,  the  pope  hath  taken  upon  himself  such 
an  authority,  under  pretence  of  the  apostles,  even  over 
the  faith  and  consciences  of  people,  and  with  it  hath 

aJame9l.27.   b  John  4.  23, 24.   cDan.4.17  dlsafll.1,2 


(  601  ) 


bhed  much  innocent  blood,  which  lies  upon  his  seat 
and  his  line,  till  God  comes  to  enquire  for  it,  and  for 
that  end  hath  set  up  inquisitions,  kc.    And  others 
after,  and  from  that,  have  erected  courts  and  synods, 
with  their  fines  and  prisons,  and  tortures,  to  force  the 
faith  and  consciences  of  people,  and  they  pretend  the 
apostles  also  for  this  work.    But  this  we  know,  that 
the  apostles  were  no  such  men,  nor  used  any  such 
weapons,  hut  deny  them  therein,  both  the  pope,  and 
UheJ  that  are  risen  since,  and  expressly  deny  to  be 
lords  over  God's  heritage,  or  over  their  faith ;  neither 
lid  they  preach  themselves  lords  and  masters,  but 
Christ  Jesus  alone  the  Lord,  and  themselves  servants 
for  Jesus  sake,'  as  both  their  own  words  and  practice 
doth  testify;  for  saith  Paul,  not  that  we  have  dominion 
over  your  faith|:^  and  saith  Peter,  not  for  filthy  lucre 
neither  as  being  lords  over  God's  heritage,  but  as  eX" 
amples  to  the  flock.' 

So  we^now  that  from  Peter  they  had  it  not,  nor 
from  Paul,  nor  from  any  of  the  true  ministers  of  Christ, 
[for  their  weapons  were  not  carnal,  but  spiritual,*^  nor 
did  they  wrestle  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  with  spirit:* 
so  all  they  can  get  from  the  apostles,  either  in  word 
or  practice,  is  this,  that  if  they  be  troubled  with  errors^ 
or  profaneness  in  their  churches,  then  if  they  have  the 
spirit  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  then  to  deliver  sucli 
a  one  up  to  satan,  for  the  destruction  of  the  flesh,  that 
the  soul  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord ;  and 
this  is  not  to  jails  or  gallows,  or  inquisitions,  or  tor- 
tures, or  fires;  now,  had  they  this  spirit  and  power, 
tliey  would  know  that  which  would  convert  in  deed 
and  truth,  and  not  make  hypocrites,  or  else  kill  theni  '; 
but  the  false  church  having  not  these  weapons,  nor 
this  spirit  and  power,  is  builded  with  oppression,  and 
upholden  with  blood:  and  in  her  are  found  the  blood 
of  all  i\m  holy  martyrs  of  Jesus,  as  saith  the  scrip- 
tures;^ yea,  even  now  is  she  drunk  with  blood,  BeveL 
18.  24!  and  17.6. 

a  2  Cor.  4.  5.  b  2  Cor.  1  24  c  I  Pet.  5.  3.  d  2  Cor.  10. 4.  e  Eoh.  6.  12;  f  1  Cor. 
i.5.  ffMicllO 

76 


(  602  ) 


So  now,  this  is  the  thing  we  say  as  to  the  worship 
of  our  God,  and  to  the  order  of  it;  in  all  things  it 
belongs  to  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord;  and  to  him  as  sole 
king  and  Lord  thereof,  we  commit  ourselves,  even  the 
whole  man,  soul  and  body,  as  to  all  things  of  that  na- 
ture:^ and  though  there  may  arise  power  after  power, 
and  seek  to  stop  us  of  this  liberty  and  freedom,  by 
acting  force  and  violence  upon  our  outward  man,  yet 
are  we  free  by  birth  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  our  inward 
man,  they  cannot  bind;  nor  can  we  ever,  while  we 
abide  in  that  seed,  give  up  the  right  of  Christ  unto  any 
of  them;  but  this  we  testify  in  all  we  do,  or  suffer,  that 
the  right  is  Christ's,  over  our  consciences,  and  over  our 
worships,*"  and  to  him  alone  we  confess  before  men, 
and  he  hath  the  name  in  us:  and  though  for  a  time, or 
times,  we  yet  suffer,  yet  we  know  the  end  must  come, 
and  the  Lamb  must  take  the  kingdom ;  and  we  know 
him  that  is  true  and  faithful,  whom  the  father  hath 
sealed,  and  anointed  to  be  head  of  the  church  which 
is  his  body,  and  to  him  must  the  nations  account:'  and 
therefore  we  say  to  all  the  several  powers  that  come 
upon  us,  we  may  not  deny  the  Lord  in  our  consciences, 
to  bow  to,  or  worship  in  what  men  shall  set  up  or  com- 
mand ;  but  he  that  saves  us  from  our  sins,  he  shall  lead 
us  in  our  worship,"^  and  to  him  we  must  give  the  obe- 
dience of  faith,  who  gives  us  faith  and  power  by  his 
spirit  to  obey,  and  who  hath  wrought  all  our  works  in 
us  and  for  us,'  and  by  whose  virtue  it  is  we  live,  and 
bring  forth  to  the  praise  of  God ;  and  we  are  not  our 
own,  nor  servants  of  men,  but  we  are  bought  with  a 
price,^  that  we  may  serve  him  forever,  by  whom  we 
are  redeemed,  and  by  whom  all  men,  without  respect 
of  persons,  must  eternally  be  judged,  or  justified. 
Therefore  we  say,  this  is  a  privilege  that  no  man 
*     should  be  hindered  of  [to  wit]  the  liberty  of  his  con- 
science towards  his  God;  but  that  an  universal  liberty 
for  all  sorts  of  people  to  worship  God,  according  as 
Christ  shall  open  men's  eyes  to  see  the  truth,  ^nd  as 

aCol.  1.18.  l)Phil.2.  10.   c Rev.  17  14    JoWS.  27.    Col.1.18.    d  Mat.  1,  21 
«  Phil.  2, 13.   fl  Cor  9  10^ 


C  603  ) 


je  shall  persuade  their  hearts  by  his  spirit;  seeing  no 
man  without  Christ  can  do  any  thing  in  this  case,  ac- 
ceptable to  God;  neither  can  one  man  worship  in  the. 
measure  of  another,  but  in  his  own  measure,  as  he 
receives  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  faith  and  strength, 
and  spirit,  for  it  must  be  in  spirit,  and  of  faith,  else  it 
is  sin  in  God's  sight,  whatever  men  think  thereof.' 

And  this  is  just  and  equal  in  the  sight  of  God,  and 
lall  reasonable  men,  and  that  which  I  know  no  under- 
standing man  or  woman  would  be  limited  in,  seeing 
ill  have  immortal  souls  from  God,  and  to  him  alone 
;must  account  for  them,  and  not  to  men;  that  so  every 
soul  may  stand  and  fall  to  his  own  master  in  this  case, 
seeing  none  can  save  his  brother,  when  he  hath  misled 
him,  nor  account  to  God  for  him;^  therefore  he  is  no 
wise  man  who  will  leave  the  light  of  Christ  that  once 
knows  it,  to  follow  another  man's  opinion:  and  seeing 
every  man  would  have  this  liberty  for  himself,  why 
should  he  go  about  to  deny  it  to  his  brother?  How  is 
that  just  or  equal  amongst  men?  And  how  doth  it  an- 
svi'er  the  law  of  Christ,  as  christians,  who  hath  com- 
manded, that  all  things,  whatsoever  you  would  that 
men  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them,  for 
this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets.'  Now  if  you  be  not 
come  so  far  in  equity,  as  to  answer  the  law  and  the 

i  prophets,  how  will  you  answer  Christ,  you  that  profess 
him  in  words. 

And  were  it  aot  that  nations  and  men  were  drunk 
id  bewitched  with  the  fornication  of  that  scarlet  col- 
ore4  whore,  they  would  foresee  the  danger  of  taking 
that  upon  them  which  belongs  to  Christ  alone,  it  being 
so  many  have  been  broken  on  the  same  rock;  and  rea- 
son itself  might  shew  them  how  safe  it  is,  not  to  be. 
too  forward  in  things  of  that  nature,  which  God  hath 

I  not  called  them  to:  and  also  it  being  so  much  contra- 
dictory to  that  just  principle  in  man,  which  would  lead 
every  man  to  do  to  another  as  he  would  be  done  unto; 
and  would  teach  every  man  that  he  ought  to  give  up 
himself  to  his  God,  in  all  spiritual  matters,  and  that 

aRoni.  14.  23.   bRom.  14.  4.   c  Mat.  7.  13 


ft 


so  lie  should  suffer  every  other  creature  also:  and  se? 
ing-that  there  is  no  infallibility  amongst  men,  vvithoui 
the  immediate  manifestation  of  Christ  Jesus,  his  lighl 
and  spirit  in  them-/  but  that  since  men  took  that  upon 
them,  even  to  sit  as  lords  and  judges  over  faith  and 
conscience,  the  Lord  hath  scattered  theni  in  this  things 
and  confounded  them  into  so  many  minds  and  judg- 
ments, that  he  that  is  subject  to  follow  every  change, 
in  these  latter  days,  shaJl  scarcely  abide  in  one  opir>- 
ion  a  year  to  an  end:  which  things  duly  weighed, 
might  stay  the  haste  of  every  reasonable  man,  from 
forcing  that  upon  the  conscience  of  another,  which 
himself  is  not  infallible  in,  and  for  which  he  must  ac- 
count to  God  for  all  souls  that  err  through  him,  and 
so  perish,  in  gain-saying  God's  witness. 

And  this  would  be  true  wisdom,  first  to  search  ii> 
themselves,  whether  they  have  that  call  from  God 
himself,  to  force  any,  or  they  do  it  to  answer  the  de- 
sires of  others,  or  to  hold  up  a  tradition;  and  so  might 
they  come  to  see  what  they  serve,  and  whether  it 
will  bear  persecution  or  blood-shedding  at  the  day  of 
judgment;  and  prove  whether  you  have  that  which 
is  infallible  to  force  them  to,  or  it  be  but  thought, 
and  opinion  of  yourselves,  or  others,  seeing  its  so 
common  a  thing  for  rulers  and  teachers  to  join  in 
forcing  people  that  are  under  them  to  err,  and  for 
which  so  many  have  been  confounded  and  cast  out; 
and  so  that  all  might  come  to  prove  their  work,  and 
bring  it  to  the  light,  to  see  whether  it  be  wrought  in 
God,  and  if  he  will  own  it  with  his  light,  whi^i  is 
pure  in  their  conscience,  which  is  an  equal  rule;''  and 
try  what  power  and  spirit  it  is  that  God  hath  made 
Lord  and  king,  and  law-giver  and  leader  in  all  his 
worship;  and  if  they  have  not  this,  then  it  is  the  old 
persecutor,  and  murderer,  which  uses  to  set  people  on 
fire  that  know  not  God  in  spirit:  and  if  you  have  that 
spirit  which  God  hath  given  the  power  to  in  his  church, 
then  it's  gentle,  drawing,  and  powerful,  without  for- 


a  1  Cor.  2, 10, 11.    h  John  3,20.21 


(  605  ) 


oible  imposing,  or  killing,  nor  doth  he  ever  conlpei 
against  faith  and  conscience. 

Now  as  to  the  worship  of  God,  there  be  many  par- 
ticular things  which  the  men  of  this  age  would  impose 
upon  us;  yea,  and  force  them  upon  great  penalties, 
which  the  spirit  of  Christ  doth  not  lay  upon  us  as 
matters  of  faith  or  practice,  nor  ever  did  ordain  them 
in  any  age,  nor  command  them  to  be  observed  in  his 
church,  as  men  now  impose  them;  but  the  contrary 
we  find  from  the  spirit  of  Christ,  both  in  the  letter  and 
in  spirit.'  So  these  things  we  cannot  bow  to,  nor 
worship  in,  for  conscience  sake ;  conscience  towards 
God,  conscience  towards  the  holy  men  of  God  in  the 
hoiy  life,  and  conscience  towards  the  scriptures  of 
truth;  for  of  all  these  we  make  conscience,  in  their 
time  and  place,  in  which  God  the  father  of  all  hath 
brought  them  forth  to  serve  him. 

As  men  would  impose  upon  our  consciences,  to  come 
once  a  week,  to  such  a  great  house  in  their  parish, 
which  they  call  a  parish  churchy  and  there  we  must 
observe  what  one  man  shall  read,  preach  or  pray,  for 
two  or  three  hours  that  day,  by  an  usual  form;  and 
this  man  will  have  a  clerk,  and  he  shall  say  Amen  at 
the  end  of  such  a  sentence,  or  part  of  his  prayer  or 
speech;  and  to  this  church,  and  to  this  worship  so 
called,  must  we  be  bound  while  we  dwell  in  that  pa- 
rish; and  either  the  tithes  of  all  we  have,  or  so  much 
a  year  set  maintenance,  must  be  paid  to  the  man  cal- 
ling himself  a  minister  of  Christ;  and  so  much  a  year 
to  his  clerk,  for  saying  Amen  after  him,  in  money  and 
other  things;  and  if  this  we  do  constantly,  we  may 
live  peaceably  by  them,  and  go  under  the  name  of 
good  christians,  and  a  religious  man ;  but  if  we  fail  in 
any  of  these,  but  especially  in  that  of  tithes,  or  wa- 
ges, then  they  call  us  hereticks,  and  complain  of  us  to 
the  magistrate,  or  sue  us  at  law,  till  they  have  cast 
our  bodies  into  prison,  and  taken  the  spoil  of  our 
goods.  Now  God  having  revealed  his  true  worship  to 
us  in  the  light  of  Christ,  which  is  in  spirit  and  truth, 

a  Rom,  7,  6. ' 


(   606  ) 


and  called  us  out  of  such  carnal  things,  for  whicir 
there  is  no  scripture,  we  cannot  for  conscience  sake 
worship  any  more  therein. 

Now,  neither  by  the  spirit  of  Christ  in  us,  nor  by  the 
holy  scriptures  without  us,  nor  by  the  example  <jf  ail 
the  holy  men  of  God  that  have  walked  before  us,  can 
we  for  conscience  sake  own,  nor  uphold  that  for  the 
true  and  spiritual  worship  of  God  in  spirit  and  truth, 
neither  to  repair  their  worship  house,  maintain  their 
priest,  nor  clerk,  as  thev  would  impose  upon  us. 

Now  some  have  said,  what  would  you  have  no 
church,  minister,  preaching,  praying,  nor  none  of  this 
worship,  nor  maintenance,  &c.  What  would  you  have. 

We  say,  yes,  we  own  a  church,  ministering,  preach- 
ing, praying,  and  the  maintenance  that  thereto  be- 
longs; but  we  would  have  them  to  be  of  God,  and  af- 
ter his  will  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  not  after  the  will  and 
traditions  of  men,  contrary  both  to  God,  good  men, 
and  the  scriptures  of  truth:  for  we  read  of  a  church  of 
Christ  in  scripture,  but  it  was  in  God  the  father,  and 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:''  and  we  read  of  a  ministry  of 
Christ  in  scripture,  made  not  of  man,  neither  by  man, 
but  by  the  revelation  of  the  Son  of  God  in  them:  and 
the  gospel,  or  ministry  that  they  preached,  was  not  af- 
ter man,  nor  received  of  man,  neither  was  they  taught 
it  but  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,*"  And  we  read 
of  a  maintenance  they  had,  which  was  to  live  of  the 
gospel ;  and  the  spirituals  which  they  sowed  freely 
without  money  or  money-worth,  brought  them  forth 
fruits  freely,  both  in  spiritual  things,  and  worship  to- 
wards God,  and  in  carnal  things  towards  their  outward 
wants,  and  as  they  planted,  so  they  eat;  and  where 
the  plant  grew,  and  the  soul  prospered,  till  it  could 
bring  forth  fruit  freely,  there  they  need  not  to  sue  them 
and  take  it  by  spoil:'  but  of  the  world  they  looked  for 
nought  but  persecution,  nor  ever  coveted  or  compelled 
any  such  thing  from  any  creature,  no,  not  where  they 
had  sown  and  planted,  unless  it  grew  in  spirit  and  life 
to  God,  they  looked  not  to  reap  any  thing  but  loss,  if 

^1  Thee.  1,1.  b  Gal.  1,16.   GaI.l,lM2.  ^  1  Cor.  9»  U. 


i 

I   C07  ) 

that  which  they  had  sown  withered  in  the  way :  there- 
tore  did  they  watch  for  the  soul,  and  not  for  tithes^ 
pigs,  and  eggs,  and  geese,  and  sheaves,  &c.  But  that 
the  soul  prospered  towards  God,  that  was  their  prize; 
and  to  make  the  gospel  without  charge,  that  was  their 
reward,  if  they  did  it  freely  and  willingly,  for  a  neces- 
sity was  laid  upon  them,  and  woe  was  unto  them  if 
they  preached  not  the  gospel.' 

And  these  went  on  and  prospered,  gathering  chur- 
hes  out  of  the  world  into  God  from  place  to  place, 
here  they  went  freely  as  they  were  moved  of  the  ho- 
spirit;  and  if  any  where  they  came  were  found  wor- 
liy  to  receive  them,  with  them  they  might  eat  freely 
what  was  set  before  them,  where   the  spirit  was 
free:  but  they  did  not  seat  themselves  in  a  town,  or 
say,  this  is  my  parish,  and  this  is  my  hire,  so  much  a 
year ;  but  wandered  to  and  fro,  having  no  certain  dwel- 
ling place,  nor  was  their  bellies  any  part  of  the  bar-, 
gain,  as  to  coming,  preaching,  staying  or  going,  as  to 
any  place. 

Ij  And  when  they  had  gathered  a  church  into  the  spir- 
it and  life  of  Christ  Jesus,  which  brought  them  to  meet 
together,  then  they  did  not  lord  it  over  them  in  faith 
or  conscience,  neither  were  they  called  their  masters, 
but  still  servants  for  Christ's  sake ;  nor  did  they  get  a 
glass  and  set  up,  and  if  any  spoke  in  their  time,  while 
they  were  speaking  (or  after)  say  they  broke  their 
peace,  and  send  them  to  prison;  but  said,  all  might 
prophecy,  that  all  might  be  edified.  And  it  was  joy 
to  them  to  hear  any  to  speak  by  the  spirit,  either  son 
or  daughter;  and  some  might  speak,  and  some  might 
judge  of  what  was  spoken:  and  if  any  thing  was  re- 
vealed to  him  that  stood  by,  the  first  was  to  hold  his 
H;ace;  and  the  spirit  of  the  prophets  is  subject  to  the 
iophets.' 

Now  this  church  and  its  order  we  own,  wherever  we 
find  it  to  be  after  God,  and  in  him;  but  when  we  meet 
with  a  company  of  people  that  deny  all  this,  and  if  any 
be  moved  in  the  spirit,  either  to  speak  while  they  are 


3  1  Cor  9.  17. 19    b  2  Cor.  4.  5.    r  i  Cor.  14.  29,30.  31 


(  608  ) 

-*[)eaking,  or  judge  what  they  have  spoken,  then  the 
teacher  cries,  away  to  prison  with  him;  and  the  peo- 
ple run  upon  us  all  on  heaps,  ready  to  pull  us  to  pieces. 
This  we  own  not,  nor  doth  Christ  nor  the  scriptures 
own  it  to  be  his  church.  This  is  not  the  spirit  of  the 
prophets,  nor  subject  to  the  prophets,  but  the  rude  spir- 
it which  tumulted  upon  the  apostles  and  prophets  of 
old. 

So  here  is  somewhat  declared  of  the  ininistry  we 
own,  and  his  maintenance  [and  also  of  the  false;] 
but  of  such  a  thing  as  a  clerk  to  say  Amen,  we  read 
not  in  the  scripture  neither  name  nor  office.  And  now 
let  none  think  it  strange,  or  an  error  in  us, to  compare 
and  weigh,  and  try  and  prove  things;  for  we  are  chris- 
tians, and  have  received  the  spirit  that  is  of  God,  that 
we  may  know  the  things  that  are  given  to  us  of  God, 
from  things  that  are  of  the  world:  and  we  may  not  re- 
ceive every  one  for  a  minister  of  Christ,  who  tells  us  he 
is,  nor  that  for  a  church,which  every  one  calls  a  church, 
nor  that  for  worship,  which  every  one  would  impose 
upon  us:''  for  things  had  need  of  trying,  and  spirits 
also;  and  we  hold  fast  that  which  is  good.  It's  true, 
in  the  world  there  be  many  churches,  and  many  heads; 
Gods  many,  and  Lords  many,  many  faiths,  and  many 
opinions;  but  in  Christ  Jesus  we  are  called  to  unity  in 
all  these  things:  so  that  we  say  with  the  churches  of 
Christ  in  scripture,  to  us  there  is  one  body,  one  spirit, 
one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism;  one  God  and  father 
of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through  all,  and  in  us  all.' 
And  this  one  God  in  us  is  a  spirit,  and  will  be  worship- 
ped in  spirit  and  in  truth;  so  of  us  he  requires  truth, 
and  that  we  worship  no  other  things,  nor  bow  to  them ; 
though  all  men  have  not  this  faith,  but  can  follow  any 
thing  in  their  worship,  which  is  the  fashion  of  the  na- 
tion where  they  live ;  but  this  we  are  called  out  of;  and 
into  that  one  worship  we  are  come  which  is  in  spirit 
and  truth,  for  in  that  is  the  father  worshipped,  and 
God  hath  sought  us  out  of  the  many  worships  that  are 
in  the  world, in  spirit  to  worship  him;  and  Christ saith. 

a  1  Cor.  2. 12.   blJobn4, 1.   lTh«s&.5.21.   1  Cor.  8.  5,  6.    Eph.  4.4.5,6, 


(  609  ) 


these  are  the  true  worshippers  that  so  worship,  and 
into  this  hath  Christ  led  iis ;  and  in  it  he  owns  us  in  his 
spirit,  and  the  father  owns  us,  and  testifies  to  us  in 
every  enlightened  conscience,  and  in  this  we  are  come 
to  the  spirits  of  just  men,  and  they  own  us;  and  the 
scriptures  own  us  also;  and  in  this  we  have  peace, 
though  persecuted. 

But  in  all  these,  we  read  not  in  all  the  gospel  wor- 
ship, of  any  temple  made  with  hands,  to  bind  men  to, 
nor  parish  churches,  nor  preaching  by  the  hour,  nor 
for  so  much  a  year,  nor  that  ever  ministers  of  Christ 
took  tithes,  nor  their  hearers  gave  them;  but  confes- 
sed Christ  come,  and  a  free  gospel,  and  said  both  the 
priesthood  that  took  tithes  was  changed,  and  the  com- 
mandment by  which  they  received  them  was  disannul- 
led by  the  sufferings  of  Christ:  Heb.7.  Nor  do  we 
read  of  sprinkling  infants,  and  calling  that  baptising 
them  into  the  church;  nor  do  we  read  of  their  singing 
David's  words  in  metre,  nor  praying  by  form,  nor  a 
clerk  to  lead  the  psalm  and  say  amen.  And  much 
more  we  might  mention,  which  was  never  used  so  in 
the  true  church,  but  is  come  to  a  form  since  Popery 
came  up,  and  the  scripture  bears  no  testimony  thereto, 
as  now  these  things  are  used;  and  all  that  can  be  tru- 
ly said  for  them  is  long  custom,  but  from  plain  scrip- 
lures  they  cannot  prove  them. 

Indeed  we  read  in  the  scriptures  of  truth  of  the  gos- 
pel preaching,  but  it  was  not  limited  to  one  house,  nor 
by  a  glass,  but  from  house  to  house,  city  to  city,  and 
that  by  the  spirit,  and  their  worship  was  in  spirit ;  they 
prayed  with  the  spirit,  and  they  sung  with  the  spirit, 
and  he  that  had  a  psalm  sung  it  with  the  spirit,  and 
with  understanding  also;  and  they  w^orshipped  and 
preached  in  fields  and  mountains,  and  streets,  and 
schools,  and  markets,  and  they  prayed  by  sea-shores, 
or  in  any  place  where  God  moved  and  led  them  by  the 
spirit  of  Jesus;  and  all  this  we  own,  which  the  scrip- 
tures testify  to.  And  this  is  that  we  would  have  all 
brought  to  trial, and  that  worship  owned  which  Christ 
and  the  scriptures  own.  and  none  forced  against  it,  by 

77 


(    t)10  ^ 


any  means  whatsoever,  which  are  come  up  since  the 
scriptures  were  written,  and  the  apostles  times. 

And  this  motion  is  not  unreasonable,  hurtful  or  dan* 
gerous  to  any,  especially  [we  may  say]  in  this  nation, 
how  can  it  be  denied,  wherein  all  other  forms  in  words 
profess  the  scriptures  to  be  a  rule  for  all  to  walk  by? 
And  to  you  all  this  is  our  motion,  that  the  scripture 
may  be  heard  what  it  saith  without  wresting,  and 
what  sort  of  worship  it  testifies  of;  let  that  have  the 
name  to  be  of  God,  and  then  let  none  be  forced  from 
it.  And  if  you  deny  to  be  tried  in  your  faith  and  pro- 
fession, by  that  which  you  have  so  long  called  your 
rule  and  touchstone,  and  then  reproach  and  persecute 
them  that  walk  in  it,  will  not  your  own  words  judge 
you  before  men,  and  shall  not  you  walk  under  condem- 
nation from  God  in  your  own  consciences?  And  thus 
in  short  have  we  shewed  our  desires,  and  what  we 
would  have  in  this  thing,  which  might  free  every  ten- 
der conscience  from  oppression,  and  the  magistrates  of 
the  nations  from  the  guilt  thereof  before  God. 

Will  you  call  yourselves  christian  magistrates  and 
christian  ministers,  and  set  yourselves  against  what 
Christ  hath  wrought  by  the  power  of  his  spirit,  and  is 
now  working,  and  think  you  are  doing  him  service, 
when  you  are  grieving  his  spirit,  and  persecuting  him 
in  his  members,  for  doing  that  to  which  he  immediately 
leads  them  now,  as  in  the  days  of  old?  Is  not  this  in 
effect  to  say,  depart  from  our  nations,  we  will  have 
none  of  thy  ways,  nor  shall  any  under  our  government, 
or  that  will  follow  our  teachings,  obey  thy  spirit,  if  we 
can  stop  them  by  our  power?  Is  not  this  to  withstand 
his  appearance,  and  resist  tbe  powier  ttiat  you  profess 
to  rule  for? 

Do  you  not  read  in  the  acts  of  the  apostles  and 
Paul's  epistles,  what  labour  and  sufferings  they  un- 
derwent, to  bring  people  out  of  carnal  rudiments  and 
ordinances  of  men,  and  to  bring  them  to  the  worship 
in  spirit  and  truth  alone,  both  as  to  time,  place  and 
order?  How  did  they  run  in  hazard  of  their  lives 
into  temples,  synagogues,  and  set  places  of  worship, 


(  611  ) 


:o  bring  them  out  of  temples  made  with  hands,  to 
worship  where  the  spirit  should  lead  them,  without 
respect  of  places;  that  so  the  words  of  the  Lord  Je- 
sus might  be  fulfilled,  who  said,  not  in  the  temple,  nor 
in  the  mountain,  but  in  spirit  and  truth  should  the  fa- 
ther be  worshipped;  and  did  not  Stephen  lose  his 
life  for  telling  them,  that  God  that  made  the  world 
dwelt  not  in  temples  made  with  hands;  and  Paul  suf- 
fered for  the  same  testimony:^  and  they  told  them,  the 
most  high  God  could  not  be  worshipped  with  mens 
hands,  nor  carnal  things,  but  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 
And  how  often  were  they  tumulted  and  beaten,  and 
their  blood  shed  for  this  testimony  against  the  beg- 
garly rudiments  and  carnal  ordinances  of  men,  botU 
of  Jews,  who  had  their  ordinances  from  the  letter, 
and  also  the  Gentiles,  who  followed  their  customs; 
that  out  of  all  carnal  things  they  might  bring  them, 
to  follow  God  in  spirit,  and  therein  alone  to  serve 
him. 

And  while  you  profess  all  this  in  words,  will  you 
be  the  men  that  will  deny  the  very  same  in  works? 
And  shall  you  be  guiltless?  Shall  not  both  Jews  and 
Gentiles  rise  in  judment  against  you,  and  condemn 
m  who  act  against  knowledge,  scriptures  and  your 
jwn  profession?  And  is  it  not  so  with  your  rulers 
and  teachers  of  this  generation?  VVhat  force  and 
cruelty  hath  been  used  to  bring  people  back  to  your 
Idol  temples  made  with  hands,  there  to  worship,  and 
no  where  else,  and  to  repair  them,  and  to  bow  to  the 
customs  of  men  there  set  up,  for  which  there  is  nei- 
ther sciptures  nor  example;  even  too  many  to  mention, 
what  imprisoning  and  tormenting  of  the  spiritual 
worshippers  of  the  living  God  hath  there  been  in  these 
last  days  for  these  things?  VVhat  sufferings  have 
some  gone  through  but  for  testifying  against  these 
traditions  carnal,  and  saying  the  church  must  be  in 
God,  and  that  every  one  must  come  to  be  led  by  the 
spirit  alone  in  all  their  whole  worships,  and  so  give 
the  kingdom  and  leading  of  his  people  to  the  leading 


a  Joha4,21,24.  Acts  7, 48.  Act3l7»24. 


(  6t2  ) 


of  Christ  his  spirit  again,  in  all  things  fxertaining  to 
\vorship,  life  and  godliness?  Hath  not  this  been  a 
dangerous  thing  in  this  age  to  bear  this  record  of 
God  in  Christ,  or  so  to  become  his  witness?  How 
many  have  lost  their  liberties,  their  estates,  and  some 
their  lives  for  this  testimony  in  word  and  practice, 
which  reconciles  to  God  in  all  his  v/hole  worship? 
And  yet  the  same  is  read  and  preached  every  first 
day  among  them  that  do  thus  against  such  as  live  the 
life  thereof  for  Jesus  sake.  These  are  not  the  works 
of  Christians  indeed,  in  the  apostles  sense,  but  of 
such  as  know  not  God,  nor  the  word  of  reconcil- 
iation. 

How  many  have  suffered  in  this  age  but  for  repro- 
ving sin  in  the  gate,  as  cursieg,  pride,  lying  and  swear- 
ing, &c.  How  have  some  been  beaten,  pulled  and 
hauled,  and  dragged  through  streets  and  kennels,  and 
before  judgmjent-seats,  and  to  prisons  for  no  other 
things?  How  many  have  wofully  suffered  but  for 
preaching  repentance  through  streets,  towns  and  mar- 
kets, in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  by  the  call  of  his 
holy  spirit?  How  many  hundreds  have  been  impris- 
oned for  preaching  the  everlasting  gospel  of  Jesus  free- 
ly, in  towns,  temples,  streets  and  markets,  and  from 
house  to  house,which  was  the  manner  of  God's  mes- 
sfcng(&*rs  in  the  name  of  his  Son  ever  to  do,  and  for 
which  they  suffered?  How  many  have  had  their 
clothes  rent  off  their  backs,  and  been  shamefully  bea- 
ten till  they  have- been  left  for  dead,  and  afterward 
carried  to  prison,  for  but  asking  a  question,  or  speaking 
a  word  in  a  steeple-house,  while  l^or  after)  a  man  hath 
been  speaking  things  doubtful,  or  not  true;  though 
this  was  the  way  of  old,  in  which  the  servants  of 
Christ  walked,  and  by  which  he  gathered  the  chur- 
ches into  God  in  spirit>.and  out  of  false  vvorships:  and 
it  was  the  manner  of  the  apostles  to  enter  into  syna- 
gogues and  places  of  worships,  both  of  Jews  and 
Gentiles  on  their  sabath  days,  and  openly  dispute 
there  with  them  before  their  hearers,  and  then  those 
whose  hearts  God  touched,  left  their  carnal  worships 


(   613  ) 


dincl  clave  to  Christ  in  spirit,  whicli  is  now  become  a 
greater  offence  to  this  generation,  than  ever  it  was 
either  to  Jews  or  Gentiles;  for  I  never  read  that  sim- 
ply for  so  disputing,  they  either  beat  them  or  hauled 
them  to  prison,  though  they  went  sometimes  three  sab- 
bath days  together  into  one  synagogue ;  yea,  the  fiery 
Jews,  who  were  set  on  mischief  against  that  way,  yet 
this  they  could  suffer  in  their  synagogue,  as  is  testi- 
fied ^cts  17,  2.  and  saith  the  scriptures,  this  was  his 
manner.  And  in  Acts  18,4.  it  is  said,  he  reasoned  in 
the  synagogue  every  sabbath  day  at  Corinth,  where 
I  he  continued  a  year  and  six  months,  teaching  the 
word  of  God  among  them,  ver.  11. 

Now  hath  not  this  been  the  great  offence  of  these 
days;  yea,  I  may  say  the  chiefest  crime  which  the 
servants  of  Jesus  Christ  have  suffered  for  in  this  age, 
and  scarce  none,  either  ruler  or  teacher  is  able  to 
bear  it  once,  which  they  could  bear  a  year  and  above, 
among  Jews  and  heathens.  So  that  this  way  of 
Christ,  by  which  the  churches  were  gathered  and 
called  in  the  apostles  time,  is  become  more  abomina- 
ble in  the  sight  of  those  that  call  themselves  chris- 
tians, than  it  was  either  to  Jews  or  heathens.  And 
when  neither  laws  of  Jews,  gentiles  nor  heathens,  nor 
such  as  were  made  in  times  of  popery,  would  answer 
their  wills  against  this,  then  they  made  new  laws  of 
their  own  against  this  practice,  which  themselves  read, 
believe  and  preach.  And  this  we  cannot  own,  that 
men  should  withstand  that  in  works  which  they  pro- 
fess in  words,  and  seek  to  impose  it  upon  others,  who 
serve  God  therein  by  the  spirit  of  Jesus,  and  then  call 
themselves  christians,  and  say  the  scripture  is  their 
rule  who  cannot  bear  it  in  them  who  practice  it  in 
obedience  to  Christ  Jesus. 

And  this  is  that  we  contend  for  in  all  our  sufferings, 
and  actings  in  the  simplicity  of  our  hearts,  that  our 
Lord  and  master  Jesus  Christ  may  have  his  preroga- 
tive royal  restored  to  him,  over  his  body  the  church, 
and  every  particular  member  thereof,  his  lordship  and 
mastership  given  to  him  alone  of  all  his  children,  from 


C  614  ) 


the  least  to  the  greatest,  and  that  none  else  force  it. 
or  require  it  from  him,  but  that  his  headship  alone 
over  his  church,  his  leadings,  and  the  seat  of  his 
judgments  in  every  redeemed  soul  and  conscience, 
may  be  restored  to  him,  and  that  he  may  have  both 
name  and  authority  therein,  and  that  none  may  pre- 
sume to  take  his  authority  to  themselves,  while  they 
give  him  fair  words,  and  call  him  Lord,  Lord,  but  nei- 
ther do  his  will  in  their  own  consciences,  nor  suffer 
them  that  would.  This  I  say,  is  that  we  seek  now  at 
the  hands  of  men  that  are  called  christians,  which  by 
his  own  precious  blood  and  sufferings  he  once  purchas- 
ed out  of  the  hands  of  the  old  persecutors,  and  gave 
it  as  an  inheritance  to  his  seed  after  him  to  all  gener- 
ations, to  call  him  head  and  Lord  in  them  and  over 
them,  in  all  things  pertaining  to  worship  and  con- 
science, as  the  scripture  of  truth  is  evident. 

And  this  we  say  in  his  behalf,  and  in  the  power  of 
his  name,  wherever  he  sends  us,  that  though  his  ad- 
versary of  old  hath  striven  to  take  this  his  purchased 
possession  from  him,  and  now  sits  where  he  ought  not, 
commanding  conscience  over  his  subjects,  compelling 
and  forcing  to  obey  his  traditions  and  laws,  from  car- 
nal precepts  and  traditions  of  men  {  yet  we  say  the 
right  is  Christ's  alone,  and  the  whole  kingdom  of  God 
in  every  conscience  he  hath  purchased  with  his  blood 
and  great  sufferings  of  old.  Therefore  we  say  to  all 
sorts  of  people,  look  to  him,  and  walk  in  his  light,  all 
that  look  to  be  saved ;  for  we  say,  he  is  a  great  and 
mighty  one,  who  though  he  hath  been  as  one  gone  a 
far  journey  for  a  time,  yet  he  is  returned,  and  hath  seen 
how  his  dear  servants  have  been  entreated,  and  his 
little  children  spoiled  of  their  birth-right,  being  de- 
prived of  their  liberties;  and  now  strangers  would 
rule  over  their  tender  consciences,  and  seek  to  defile 
them  with  idolatry,  which  is  against  their  spiritual 
birth  and  breathing;  and  so  would  rob  him  of  his  au- 
thority, and  sceptre  of  his  everlasting  dominion,  for 
which  he  will  tread  nations  in  his  wrath,  and  people 

aJer.  10.?,3, 


(   615  ) 


n  his  hot  displeasure,  even  for  Zion's  sake  the  city  ot 
his  glory,  and  he  will  spoil  the  spoiler,  and  lead  cap- 
tivity captive,  and  so  will  he  make  way  for  his  inher- 
tance,  to  come  into  their  habitation  of  rest. 

And  this  we  say  to  all  people,  give  up,  fear  God, 
md  give  glory  to  his  name,  for  the  hour  of  his  judg- 
nents  is  come;  and  he  will  have  dominion  as  of  old, 
ind  his  purchased  possession  as  in  ancient  days;  but 
especially  to  you  who  are  called  christians,  and  men- 
tion his  name,  and  call  him  Lord,  and  profess  the 
scriptures  in  words,  which  testify  of  him,  his  suffer- 
ings, and  his  purchase  through  his  precious  blood,  and  j 
the  eternal  anointing  of  the  father,  sworn  unto  him  by 
an  everlasting  covenant,  that  he  alone  shall  sit  on  the 
spiritual  throne  over  the  house  of  David  forever,  that 
he  may  with  his  spiritual  leadings  gather  the  outcasts 
of  Israel,  and  present  to  God  all  the  precious  among 
the  people.    Have  you  not  read,  you  professing  priests 
and  rulers,  that  it  is  he  alone  that  is  the  light  of  the 
world,"  and  that  God  hath  given  him  for  a  witness  to 
the  people,  a  leader  and  commander ;  that  it's  he  that 
is  appointed  for  a  light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness, 
and  in  the  shadow  of  death,  to  guide  their  feet  in  the 
way  of  peace.''    Did  God  ever  set  any  at  the  right 
hand  of  power  but  he  alone,  that  he  might  make  his 
foes  his  footstool ;  of  whom  he  saith,  when  he  brings 
him  into  the  world,  let  all  the  angels  of  God  worship 
him?'  Have  you  not  read,  that  it's  he  alone  that  pur- 
geth  the  conscience  from  dead  works?  And  will  you 
not  suffer  him  to  reign  or  govern  therein?  Hath  not 
he  quickened  every  living  soul,  and  created  anew  eve- 
ry free  spirit?  And  would  you  take  and  keep  the  king- 
dom therein  out  of  his  hand,  and  rule  there  for  an- 
other or  yourselves,  with  force  and  cruelty?  Is  not 
this  he  for  whom  the  sabbath  was  made  and  all  the 
ordinances  under  Heaven  speak  his  dominion?  And 
will  you  now  read  this,  and  profess,  and  v/ithstand  him 
in  the  consciences  of  his  tender  people,  and  deny  hinv 
to  rule  in  his  church  alone?  Have  von  not  read  what 

a  Isa  55,  4,   b  Liilce  t  79    r  Hob.  1 .  R 


II 


(  616  ) 


God  hath  said  of  him  and  his  enemies  in  the  second 
psalm;  nay,  are  not  all  the  scriptures  his,  and  testify 
to  him  alone,  as  head  over  all,  and  ruler  in  all  his 
saints?  And  as  you  have  heard,  read,  and  professed 
his  dominion  more  than  heathens,  and  )  et  go  on  to  keep 
it  from  him,  so  to  you  is  his  appearance,  to  seek  his 
own  of  yon  ;  and  if  you  persist  to  deny  him,  it's  you 
must  drink  the  cup  first,  that  the  heathens  may  hear 
and  fear  his  name  from  far,  and  his  rising  appear  to 
all  the  ends  of  the  world,  that  it's  he  alone  who  is  from 
everlasting,  at  whose  name  every  knee  must  bow, 
^nd  tongue  confess  to  the  right  of  his  inheritance. 

And  this  further  I  lay  before  you  people  of  this  na- 
tion, who  have  long  been  crying  for  peace  and  settle- 
ment in  the  nations,  and  in  your  religion,  and  you  cry 
out  of  so  many  divisions,  and  so  many  religions:  I  say 
to  you  all,  how  should  you  be  otherwise,  when  you 
will  not  come  to  the  one  religion  that  is  of  God,  as  it 
was  in  the  beginning,  and  is  clearly  manifested  by  Jesus 
Christ,  for  the  bringing  all  into  God  again,  and  recon- 
ciling all  sorts  of  scattered  people,  who  are  scattered 
in  the  imaginations  and  customs  of  carnal  spirited  men, 
from  God  and  the  one  good  thing,  into  many  things, 
rudiments  and  traditions,  wherein  you  can  neither  be 
reconciled  to  God  nor  one  to  another,  for  how  is  it  like 
that  ever  that  religion  can  reconcile  to  God,  which 
sets  you  a  killing  one  another  to  uphold  it?  Are  you 
like  to  obtain  peace  in  that  spirit  w  hich  in  your  hearts 
is  the  cause  of  enmity  and  war?  Or  obtain  unity  from 
that  root  which  hath  thus  scattered  you  in  its  fruits 
and  offspring?  This  is  like  the  false  prophets  of  old, 
who  would  bite  with  their  teeth,  and  cry  peace/ 

Nay,  this  is  not  the  way  of  settlement  or  lasting 
peace,  that  you  must  have  in  returning,  and  making 
peace  with  the  spirit  of  Jesus:  you  must  kiss  the  son, 
and  so  make  peace ;  for  this  hath  been  concerning  yon 
of  these  nations,  that  if  you  own  not  the  light  of 
Christ  in  spirit  and  truth,  that  he  may  lead  you  out  of 
these  many  things  which  are  not  of  God,  and  recon- 

a  Mich.  3. 


(  617  ) 


cile  you  to  God  in  spirit  and  truth,  there  to  worship 
him  alone  who  is  a  spirit,  you  will  e're  long  be  in 
blood,  either  amongst  yourselves,  one  against  another, 
or  else  in  the  blood  of  the  innocent  lambs  of  Christ, 
which  will  not  be  for  your  peace  with  God ;  for  he  that 
hath  letted  your  peace  and  settlement  is  not  yet  taken 
away,  nor  his  power,  who  is  that  old  murderer  and 
divider  of  the  nations,  people  and  tongues,  about  faiths 
and  religions;  and  with  which  a  fire  hath  often  been 
kindled ;  nor  can  his  power  be  stopped  but  by  the  spir- 
it of  the  Lainb  of  God,  which  takes  away  sin,  and 
breaks  down  the  wall  of  separation,  which  is  made 
about  ordinances,  literal,  ceremonial  and  traditional, 
which  can  never  cease  but  as  men  turn  to  the  spirit  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  that  with  the  light  of  peace  and  truth, 
you  may  be  led  into  peace,  truth  and  unity,  that  wrath 
may  be  done  away,  and  the  ground  thereof,  and  you 
and  your  religion  may  be  settled  on  the  foundation  of 
truth,  Christ  Jesus  the  chief  corner  stone  ;*  and  not  up- 
on days,  times,  meats,  drinks  and  apparel,  and  other 
things  which  will  perish  with  the  using;  and  so  will 
they  that  worship,  and  not  in  the  leadings  of  Christ 
alone,  and  God  will  shake  the  idols  of  peoples  minds, 
and  all  the  glory  of  flesh,  that  he  alone  may  be  ex- 
alted in  the  earth,  as  he  is  in  Heaven. 

So  if  you  will  have  peace  you  must  come  to  the  son 
of  peace;  and  if  you  will  have  establishment,  you 
must  come  to  the  foundation  of  the  prophets  and  apos- 
tles of  God ;  for  I  say,  many  have  been  about  to  build 
a  house  for  God  to  dwell  in  with  carnal  things  and  ru- 
diments, and  this  they  would  limit  him  to  (and  his  peo- 
ple) who  is  a  spirit,  and  his  house  must  be  built  of 
spiritual  men  and  women,  w^ho  like  living  stones  must 
grow  up  in  his  own  light  and  virtue  into  a  holy  temple 
in  the  Lord;  in  which  you  must  be  builded  together 
for  an  habitation  of  God  through  the  spirit,  Eph.  2.  20, 
21,22.  And  this  is  God's  house  built  by  Christ  alone, 
which  is  elect  and  precious,  not  with  gold  and  gar- 
ments, or  observations  of  perishing  things,  but  of  re- 

a  Col. 2.  14. 15, 16,  17,20,21,  22.   Ileb.  10.  11. 

78 


(  618  ) 


deemed  souls  by  the  blood  of  Jesus  out  of  their  vaiu 
conversation,  and  gathered  into  the  spirit  of  truth  and 
life,  and  power  to  worship  God,  who  is  a  spirit,  in  spirit 
and  truth;  and  this  is  God's  house  at  this  day,  and 
such  was  his  house  in  the  apostles  days,  who  dwells 
not  in  temples  made  with  hands,  as  saith  the  apos- 
tles, nor  with  mens  hands  is  worshipped,  but  by  him 
that's  poor  in  spirit,  and  of  a  broken  and  contrite  heart, 
to  him  will  I  look,  saith  the  Lord,  and  there  will  I 
dwell:*  and  the  bodies  of  his  people  are  the  temples 
of  the  living  God,  as  he  hath  said,  I  will  dwell  in 
them,  and  walk  in  them,  and  I  will  be  their  God,  and 
they  shall  be  my  people,  2  Cor,  6.  16.  And  until  you 
come  to  this  building  of  God  in  yourselves,  God  will 
not  dwell  with  you  in  peace,  but  all  your  buildings 
will  he  confound,  and  not  accept  your  sacrifice,  and 
then  the  devil  will  enrage  you  against  God's  house 
and  spiritual  building,  even  his  poor  despised  people, 
them  to  destroy;  like  Cain  when  his  sacrifice  was  not 
accepted  in  his  own  will. 

But  if  you  turn  to  the  Lord,  who  is  that  spirit,  then 
will  he  cause  his  light  to  shine  in  your  hearts,  to  give 
you  an  heavenly  understanding,  and  he  will  put  his 
spirit  in  your  inward  parts,  and  fill  you  with  heavenly 
power,  and  will  let  you  see  the  lively  image  of  truth 
and  peace;  and  he  will  take  away  4;he  veil  of  the  cov- 
ering that  is  spread  over  all  nations,  from  which  arises 
all  their  carnal  comprehensions  and  carnal  worships 
of  the  invisible  God,  and  he  will  also  swallow  up  death 
in  victory,^  which  now  worketh  in  the  nations,  to  kill 
one  another  about  religion  and  worship  without  spirit 
and  life:  so  will  you  come  to  be  taught  his  true  wor- 
ship, who  is  a  spirit,  and  become  true  worshippers  in 
spirit;  and  so  grow  up  in  his  knowledge,  and  he  will 
own  your  worship,  whom  as  yet  you  have  neither 
heard  his  voice  at  any  time,  nor  seen  his  shape.*"  And 
Christ  saith  of  such  worshippers,  you  worship  you 
know  not  what;  but  the  true  worshippers  worship  in 
faith,  and  know  what  they  worship,  and  such  the 

alsa,66.2.    blsa.25.7,8.   2  Cor.  3.  16, 17, 18.  cJohn5.?7. 


(  619  ) 


father  is  now  seeking  to  worship  him,  saith  Christ  Je- 
sus,  John  4.  22,  23,  24. 

And  this  is  the  thing, O  England!  that  concerns  thy 
peace  with  thy  God  in  this  thy  day,  who  art  cumbered 
with  many  things  about  worship,  but  neglects  the  one 
thing  needful  for  thy  everlasting  peace  and  establish- 
ment, and  to  bring  thee  into  that  worship  and  spirit,^ 
without  which  God  cannot  accept  thee,  and  that  re- 
ligion which  is  pure  and  undefiled  in  the  sight  of  God, 
which  will  keep  thee  unspotted  of  the  world  r,*"  which 
till  thou  turnest  to,  thou  wilt  be  working  against  the 
spirit  of  God,  through  the  darkness  of  enmity,  that  is 
in  thee,  and  he  will  certainly  work  against  thee,  ex- 
cept thoa  repent.  J,  N 

R.  H. 


a  Luke  19.  42.  &  10.  41,  42.   b  Jam.  1 .  27. 


PART  OF  HIS  ANSWER  TO  THE' 

BOOK  CALLED 

THE  FANATIC  HISTORY, 

(so  FAR  AS  CONCERNS  HIMSELf) 

Which  was  said  to  be  published  with  the  approbation  of  diverse  Ortho- 
dox, divines,  (so  called)  and  dedicated  to  the  king  by.  Richard  Blome. 


IN  ANSWER  TO  THE  EPISTLE  DIRECTED  TO  KING  CHARLES. 

Friend,  thou  seemest  to  dedicate  thy  book  of  false 
accusations  to  king  Charles,  and  wouldst  put  it  upon 
him,  (as  matter  of  duty)  to  be  patron  thereof;  but  it 
is  wisdom  in  aH  men,  but  especially  in  rulers,  to  know 
what  they  father,  or  take  upon  them  to  defend,  in  this 
day,  when  the  old  liar  and  murderer  is  at  work  in  the 
earth,  seeking,  and  creeping  into  every  several  gov- 
ernment, to  stir  them  up  that  are  in  present  power, 
by  false  accusations  to  persecute  God's  innocent  peo- 
ple;  yea,  what  power  hath  risen  in  this  age,  which 
hath  not  been  by  flattering  titles  tempted  hereunto, 
and  also  overcome,  by  a  sort  of  teachers  and  people 
which  are  not  the  children  of  peace,  nor  have  wrought 
peace  in  these  nations,  or  the  rulers  thereof;*  but 
blood  and  cruelty:  and  if  king  Charles  looks  to  be 
established  in  peace,  and  truth,  and  righteousness, 
which  is  the  anointing  of  God,  then  he  must  not  pat- 
ronize lies,  nor  countenance  wickedness  and  envy, 
which  i&the  substance  of  thy  book  which  thou  wouldst 
have  defended,  and  against  a  harmless  people,''  whom 
thou  wouldst  have  him  suddenly  to  restrain,  and  that 
under  pretence  of  defending  the  faith  of  Christ,  But, 


a  Pro.  4. 16.   b  20.  8. 12. 26, 39, 14. 


(  621   )  ^ 

sriend,  to  restrain  people  from  following  the  light  of 
Christ  in  their  consciences,  and  his  truth  in  the  in- 
ward parts, is  not  to  defend  his  faith;'  which  faith  is 
a  mystery,  and  held  in  a  pure  conscience.    And  they 
that  follow  the  Lamb,  are  led  by  his  spirit  and  truth 
in  the  inward  parts:  and  this  the  eternal  God  of  hea- 
ven and  earth  requires,  and  seeks  such  to  worship 
him.    And  thus  to  restrain  is  not  for  the  king's  safety, 
nor  the  work  of  his  sword,  nor  are  you  the  friends  of 
his  establishment  in  God's  peace,  who  would  put  him 
upon  it  to  please  your  bloody  spirits.'    But  to  restrain 
open  profaneness,  and  to  be  a  terror  to  evil  doers,  and 
to  preserve  people  from  the  fist  of  wickedness,  and  to 
deliver  the  poor  and  helpless  from  him  that  is  too 
strong  for  him,  and  to  bring  judgment  into  the  gates,"" 
and  make  it  free  for  all  sorts  of  people,  without  res- 
pect of  persons  or  opinions,  that  the  evil-doer  may  be 
punished,  and  the  well-doer  encouraged  in  every  cor- 
ner of  the  nations,  that  w  hen  God  comes  to  enquire 
for  innocent  blood  or  oppression,  it  may  not  be  found, 
nor  violence  in  the  land. 

This  is  that  which  God  looks  for  at  the  hands  of 
kings  and  rulers,  that  they  bear  not  the  sword  in  vain.'' 
And  this  you  cry  not  for,  by  which  his  authority  may 
be  owned  of  God,  and  subjected  to  for  conscience 
sake;  but  you  would  have  that  of  God  in  the  con- 
science stifled,  and  restrained,  and  then  what  is  all 
obedience  worth  towards  God,  or  men, or  rulers;  but 
to  follow  any  thing  that  is  set  up,  and  be  true  in  heart 
to  nothing?    And  many  such  spirits  will  be  found  in 
this  nation,  if  ever  king  Charles  stand  in  need  to 
prove  them  further  than  by  flattery  or  self-ends,  as 
those  have  found  that  were  before  him.    And  wheth- 
er it  will  be  his  wisdom  to  fall  upon  the  tender  lambs 
of  Christ,  and  seek  to  restrain  them  from  following 
their  leader,  and  so  procure  his  wrath  for  pleasing 
these  spirits,  let  the  wise  in  heart  judge,  who  have 
duly  observed  God's  appearance,  towards  such  a 
work  all  along  in  this  age. 

a  Eccl.  5,  8.   blTim.  3,  9.  Jam,  16,13.  John  4, 34.   Psal.  2.  cBoni.13,3. 
Amos  5, 15.  dlsa.5,7,32,7. 


(  622  ; 

And  whereas  thy  complaint  is,  that  if  his  majesty 
put  not  forth  his  royal  hand  of  power,  suddenly  to 
restrain  us,  we  are  so  numerous  and  seducing,  that  we 
will  [in  a  little  time]  diffuse  our  poison  over  the  better 
part  of  his  kingdom,  which  none  but  a  regal  authority 
can  stifle. 

I  say  then,  what  is  become  of  your  spiritual  wea- 
pons? Have  not  your  teachers  told  people  of  the 
strength  of  truth,  and  the  power  of  Godliness?  Have 
you  lost  both  [may  wisdom  say]  and  run  you  now  to 
the  arm  of  flesh,  to  get  errors  stifled  [as  you  call 
them]  or  else  your  hope  is  lost,  and  your  faith  fails 
you?^  Did  ever  any  of  Christ's  ministers  leave  their 
spiritual  weapons,  to  run  to  the  arm  of  flesh,  or  a 
carnal  weapon,  to  stop  seducers?  I  say,  no;  this 
they  never  did,  but  with  spiritual  weapons  they  wres- 
tled and  overcame  spiritual  wickedness,  and  with 
them  cut  down  heresies,  blasphemies  and  false  wor- 
ships, and  cleared  the  churches  of  Christ  of  them, 
and  drove  them  down  before  them  in  the  world;  for 
none  could  resist  the  spirit  by  which  they  spoke,  of  all 
the  false  priests  and  false  worshippers:''  but  being  put 
to  the  worst,  they  cried  [as  you  do]  to  rulers  and 
people,  help  us,  or  all  will  be  overrun:  for  they  that 
turn  the  world  upside  down  are  come  hither;  [mind 
your  cry.]  And  then  the  rude  multitude  run  on  heaps 
upon  them,  and  made  tumults  often,  and  fell  upon  them 
with  staves  and  fists  and  assaulted  the  houses  that 
entertained  them,  as  you  do,  and  so  hauled  them  be- 
fore rulers^  who  took  their  part  herein,  and  put  them  in 
prison,  and  often  whipped  them,  unless  it  were  some 
that  were  so  noble,  as  not  to  heed  the  cry  of  the 
multitude;'  but  would  hear  their  cause,  and  give 
them  leave  to  speak,  before  they  would  sentence 
them  that  were  accused.  And  this  was  the  nobility 
of  heathen  kings  and  rulers;  and  do  not  you  seek  to 
make  Englands  rulers  worse  than  them?  Beware 
lest  heathens  rise  up  in  the  day  of  judgment  against 
them  who  are  called  christians,  and  condemn  them. 


a2Cor.20,4,5.  Eph.6,12,&c.  b  Acts 6, 10,21, 28, 17, 5,  &  0  25^5,16. 


C  623  ) 


And  in  this  yeur  cry  for  help,  against  so  contempti- 
ble a  people  (as  you  count  them)  you  (like  silly  wo- 
men) do  but  discover  your  weakness  and  worthlessness: 
and  if  God  open  the  eyes  of  king  Charles  he  will  see 
it.    What!  Have  you  preached  and  wrestled  your- 
selves out  of  all  hope  and  faith,  that  either  you  must 
have  sudden  help  from  him, or  all  is  lost  and  over-run? 
Surely  it  may  be  said,  you  have  been  bad  watchmen 
and  idle  shepherds,  who  have  lost  all  if  sudden  help 
:ome  not  from  another  hand.    Now  if  any  had  come 
against  you  with  carnal  weapons,  then  had  you  had 
some  excuse  in  crying  to  the  earthly  powers;  but  in 
that  nothing  but  spirit  comes  against  spirit,  and  yet 
you  have  lost  the  day.    This  doth  clearly  manifest, 
fhat  the  power  of  God  you  have  not  in  you,  but  have 
lost  the  kingdom  of  the  most  high,  and  so  are  become 
unreasonable  men,  who  would  have  two  weapons  a- 
gainst  one,  and  another  to  do  your  work  for  you,  and 
yet  are  unwilling  to  forego  your  wages;  2  Thess,  3.  2. 
Yea,  this  advantage  you  have  had  divers  years,  but 
.have  not  prevailed  therewith. 

I  And  whereas  thou  sayest,  thy  book  is  of  great  con- 
sequence ;  and  so  thou  presumest  to  make  king  Charles 
the  patron  of  it:  and  then  askest  pardon  for  thy  pre- 
sumption when  thou  hast  done. 

I  say  thou  hast  need,  the  substance  of  thy  book  be- 
ing made  up  of  false  accusations,  gathered  up  out  of 
books  formerly  written  against  us,  which 'have  been 
disproved  by  answers  several  times  over:  arfd  to  these 
thou  hast  added  some  new  accusations,  as  false  as  the 
old,  and  spied  out  the  failings  of  some  few,  who  have 
mourned  before  God,  that  ever  they  should  sin,  and 
give  occasion  to  the  enemy  of  God  so  to  blaspheme. — ■ 
And  many  things  which  were  done  and  spoken  by 
others,  who  are  not  of  us,  nor  ever  were:  and  of  this 
is  thy  book  made  up,  as  any  may  see  who  read  it,  &  our 
several  answers  to  the  charges  therein,  many  of  them 
of  several  years  standing,  against  these  false  accusa- 
tions, which  have  most  of  them  been  printed  over  and 
over,  and  presented  to  the  former  powers  that  have 


(   624  ) 


risen,  and  as  often  answered :  so  there  needed  no  more 
to  be  said,  than  hath  been,  were  it  not  for  the  sake  of 
some,  who  may  yet  be  strangers  to  your  way  of  deahng 
towards  us,  under  every  power  that  hath  been.  Now 
discretion  will  say,  that  to  make  another  man  the 
father  of  such  a  work,  to  which  he  is  a  stranger  [but 
especially  a  king]  is  presumption  indeed,  rashness  and 
folly,  and  needs  a  pard(^n. 

And  whereas  you  now  say,  that  none  but  a  regal 
authority  can  stifle;  It's  true,  you  have  tried  parlia- 
ments and  protectors  [as  you  call  them]  and  parlia- 
ments again;  and  to  make  them  then  work  for  you, 
your  priests  used  these  arguments  to  them,  [to  wit,] 
that  in  the  late  wars  they  had  exposed  lives,  liberties, 
estates  and  relations,  with  all  other  personal  advan- 
tages, in  maintaining  the  just  proceedings  of  parlia- 
ments, and  for  them  you  then  claimed  our  stifling,  as 
the  price  of  your  prayers,  purses,  hazards,  losses,  ban- 
ishment and  blood,  as  may  be  read  in  the  Westmore- 
land petition  against  us,  which  thou  hast  printed  in 
.  page  197,  and  198.    And  was  not  this  power  that 
which  you  then  called  the  common  enemy,  in  the  same 
petition,  page  200,  which  you  now  cry  to,  and  would 
put  him  upon  that  work  against  us  now,  as  defender  of 
your  faith,  &c.    Ah!  faithless  generation  have  you 
been  to  God  and  man,  may  you  not  be  ashamed  of  this 
work,  to  print  it  and  send  it  to  king  Charles;  and  call 
him  to  defend  it,  and  patronize  it:  How  hath  envy  be- 
reaved you  of  your  reasonableness?  Shall  he  who  de- 
fends this,  defend  either  faith  or  truth  ?  But  this  is  that 
you  may  cover  yourselves  with  your  shame  and  envy, 
that  both  king  and  people,  and  parliaments,  may  see 
what  a  generation  you  are,  that  will  run  under  any 
power  to  get  your  bloody  ends ;  but  indeed  true  to  none ; 
for  if  it  was  true,  that  you  was  so  faithful  to  that  par- 
liament, with  your  prayers,  purses  and  blood,  and 
there  you  plead,  then  is  your  faith  but  new,  which  now 
you  would  have  defended ;  but  if  not  true,  then  how 
great  deceivers,  and  how  little  to  be  trusted,  or  defen- 
ded,  in  your  cruel  designs. 


(   625  ) 

The  king  that  faithfully  judges  the  poor,  his  throne 
shall  be  established  for  ever.  But  if  a  ruler  hearken 
to  lies,  all  his  servants  are  wicked,  Prov.  29.  12,  14. 
And  to  thee,  who  hast  set  forth  this  book  of  mischief, 
I  say  with  the  scriptures.  Jay  not  wait  [O  wicked  man] 
against  the  dwelling  of  the  righteous,  spoil  not  his 
resting  place.  For  a  just  man  falleth  seven  times,  and 
riseth  up  again ;  but  the  wicked  shall  fall  into  mischief, 
Prov.  24.  15, 16.,  see  also  Mich.l.  8. 

J.  N, 


IN  ANSWER  TO  THE  BOOK. 

1 

;  The  day  is  come  that  the  scripture  is  fulfilled,  which 
the  Lord  spoke  by  his  prophet,  Isaiah  44.  25.  That 
he  will  make  the  diviners  mad;  and  that  the  prophets 
shall  be  ashamed,  every  one  of  his  vision,  Zach,  13.4. 
The  which  doth  now  evidently  appear,  and  their  folly 

s  made  manifest  unto  all,  that  will  see  and  behold  it, 
according  to  2  Tim.  3.  9.  And  is  not  this  manifest 
madness  and  folly  in  them,  called  orthodox  and  di- 
vines,  to  present  unto  the  king  their  packet  of  lies, 
which  have  been  seven  years  told  over,  and  so  long 
since  disproved  and  confuted,  as  may  be  seen  in  a  book 
2alled  Saul's  Errand  to  Damascus,  &c.  printed  in  the 
year  1653,  and  in  several  other  books  since.  It  al- 
.••eady  hath  been,  and  is  now  manifest  unto  nil  men  of 
sober  understandings,  that  these  men,  falsely  called 
orthodox  and  divines,  have  had  no  defence,  either  to 
.vindicate  themselves,  or  disprove  the  people  called 
fjuakers:  but  this  refuge  of  lies,  which  they  first  pre- 
sented to  the  parliament  sitting  in  1652,  and  likewise 
to  other  parliaments  which  have  been  since  that  time, 
^nd  to  the  two  protectors,  and  now  to  this  present  king 

s  directed;  and  you  presumptuously  charge  him  to  be 

79 


III 


(    626  ) 


ihe  patron  to  it,  requiring  him  to  defend  those  iies 
which  you  falsely  call  the  faith.  But  this  we  know, 
according  as  it  is  written,  Prov.  29.  12,  19.  That  ii 
a  ruler  hearken  to  lies,  all  his  servants  are  wicked; 
but  a  wise  king  scattereth  tjie  wicked,  and  bringeth 
the  wheel  over  them. 

These  pretended  divines,  are  such  as  have  bowed 
and  crouched  tinder  every  appearance  of  a  power,  anc 
by  flatteries  seem  to  cleave  unto  them,  that  they  might 
uphold,  maintain  and  satisfy  their  god,  which  is  their 
bellies:  these  were  of  them  which  said,  that  Oliver 
Cromwell  was  the  light  of  their  eyes,  and  the  breath 
of  their  nostrils:  so  that  now  with  shame  they  might 
rather  confess  that  they  are  blind,  and  dead  (from  the 
light  and  life  of  God)  than  to  multiply  lies  in  their  ac- 
customed manner,  as  formerly.    These  also  were  of 
them  that  said,  Oliver  Cromwell  was  Moses,  who  had 
led  them  into  a  sight  of  the  good  land ;  and  that  Rich- 
ard his  son  was  Joshua,  which  should  lead  them  into 
the  possession.    But  we,  with  many  more,  do  see  that 
their  hope  is  false,  and  their  faith  also  proved  vain, 
and  that  they  are  not  yet  in  the  land  of  promise,  for 
there  no  liars  come.    And  those  former  rulers  heark- 
ening to  their  lies  were  deceived  by  them,  which  was 
the  cause  of  God's  judgments,  and  utter  destruclioa 
coming  upon  them;  which  while  they  put  into  th© 
priests  mouths,  they  cried  peace  unto  them,  calling 
them  Moses,  Aaron, and  Joshua;  but  when  they  ceas- 
ed, and  could  not  put  into  their  mouths,  then  they  cri- 
ed out,  that  Moses  and  Joshua  were  tyrants  and  op- 
pressors: and  so  will  they  do  unto  the  king  now,  who 
are  seeking  to  cleave  unto  him  by  flattery  and  deceit; 
which  if  he  deny  to  be  the  patron  and  defender  of 
their  lies,  will  be  apt  to  cry  as  much  against  him.  So 
that  he,  or  they,  are  blessed,  whose  ears  are  not  open 
to  their*clamours,  but  whose  hearts  are  joined  to  the 
truth,  and  who  are  led  by  the  spirit  of  God  as  their  in- 
structor; for  such  shall  discern  hypocrites,  and  false 
hearted  men  under  every  pretence  of  flattery  or  dis- 
simulation; for  the  folly  of  these  begins  to  be  manifest 
unto  all  men.  2  Tim,  3.  9. 


(  627  ) 

Now  as  in  answer  to  the  history,  concerning  John 
Toldervey,  asserted  by  a  confipany  of  priests,as  Brooji*, 
Cocking,  Goodwin,  Jenkins,  Jacomb,  Alderry,  Tonnbs 
and  Pool,  whom  themselves  say,  that  they  have  but 
perused  a  part,  as  page  99,  and  yet  pretend  to  witness 
the  whole ;  whose  witness  is  disproved  and  denied  by  - 
the  said  John  Toldervey,  both  by  his  own  book  given 
forth  from  him,  and  by  his  life  and  conversation,  being 
now  [since  his  return  from  his  outgoing]  a  living  wit- 
ness, not  against,  but  for  the  way,  doctrine,  principle 
and  practice,  which  the  people  called  Quakers  do  live 
in,  against  those  lies  published  abroad  concerning 
bim. 

And  as  for  thy  charge  thou  hast  against  J.  Naylor, 
through  everlasting  mercy  of  my  God,  I  have  yet  a  be* 
ing  amongst  the  living,  and  breath  to  answer  for  myself, 
though  against  the  intents  of  many  cruel  bloody  spir- 
its, who  pursued  my  soul  unto  death  [as  much  as  id 
them  lay]  in  that  day  of  my  calamity,  when  my  adver- 
sary was  above,  and  wherein  I  was  made  a  sign  to 
backsliding  generation,  \vho  then  would  not  see  nor 
hear  what  now  is  coming  upon  them,  but  rejoiced  a*' 
gainst  this  piece  of  dust,  and  had  little  pity  towards 
him  that  was  fallen  into  their  hands;  whexein  God 
was  just  in  giving  me  up  for  my  disobedience,  for  a  y 
little  moment,  as  a  father  to  correct;  yet  should  not 
they  have  sought  to  aggravate  things  against  me,  as 
thou  dost,  for  it  was  a  day  of  deep  distress,  and  lay 
sore  upon  my  soul,  and  the  merciful  God  saw  it,  who 
though  he  was  displeased  for  a  time,  yet  his  thoughts 
were  not  to  cast  off  for  ever  [but  extend  mercy]  as  it 
is  at  this  day,  glory  be  to  his  name,  from  my  delivered 
soul  eternally. 

And  in  that  day  there  were  many  spirits  flocked 
about  me,  and  some  whom  while  the  candle  of  the 
Lord  shone  upon  my  head,  I  ever  judged  and  kept 
out  from  me,  who  then  got  up  and  acted,  and  spoke 
several  things  not  in  the  light  and  truth  of  God,  by 
which  they  who  sought  occasion  against  me  then  was 
strengthened  to  afBict  this  body,  and  he  that  watches 


(   628  ) 

for  evil,  in  thee  and  some  others,  makes  use  on  stil'i 
against  God's  truth  and  innocent  people;  whose 
mouths  the  God  of  my  mercy  stop,  and  so  finish  the 
trouble  of  my  heart  as  to  that  thing,  for  my  soul  hath 
long  dwelt  among  lions,  even  among  them  that  are  set 
on  fire,  whose  teeth  are  spears  and  arrows,  and  their 
tongues  a  sharp  sword,  speaking  mischievous  things 
to  shed  blood. 

But  O  man,  or  men,  whoever  you  be,  whose  work 
it  is  to  gather  the  failings  of  God's  people  in  the  time 
of  temptation,  or  night  of  their  trial,  and  aggravate 
them,  and  add  thereto  the  wickedness  and  mischiev- 
ous lies  of  your  own  hearts,  as  thou  hast  done  in  thy 
book,  and  then  come  out  with  those  against  God's 
everlasting  holy  truth  it  to  reproach;  I  say, you  are 
set  on  work  by  an  evil  spirit,  and  you  do  but  shew 
yourselves  to  be  enemies  to  God  and  his  children ;  and 
it  is  our  sorrow,  that  any  of  us  should  give  such  spir- 
its occasion  to  blaspheme;  and  it  hath  been  trouble 
of  soul  to  all  the  people  of  God,  that  have  ever  loved 
righteousness,  when  they  have  thus  occasioned  the  joy 
of  the  wicked,  or  to  feed  the  man  that  watches  for 
iniquity,  and  feeds  on  mischief:  yet  know  this,  you 
that  are  of  that  brood,  God  will  not  cast  ofif  his  peo- 
ple; though  he  be  sometimes  provoked  to  correct 
them,  even  before  their  adversaries  [which  is  a  sign 
to  them]  yet  is  his  anger  but  for  a  moment,  and  his 
favor  shall  return  as  streams  of  life;  then  shall  the 
food  be  taken  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  viper,  and  the 
prey  from  between  the  teeth  of  the  devourers;  and 
God  will  feed  them  with  their  own  vomit,  and  the  poi- 
son that  hath  long  lain  under  their  tongues  shall  be 
bitter  in  their  own  bowels.  Thus  will  God  certainly 
plead  with  Zion's  enemies,  as  he  bends  her  sons  for 
himself,  and  God  will  make  up  her  breaches:  and  this 
hath  my  my  soul  seen,  Jacob's  captivity  restored,  and 
the  diggers  of  the  pit  are  fallen  therein;  neither  hath 
he  smitten  him  as  he  smote  them  that  smote  him, 
nor  is  he  slain  according  to  the  slaughter  of  them 
that  are  slain  by  him;  but  this  is  all,  his  fruit  to  purge 
away  sin. 


(    629  ) 


So  he  that  had  long  watched  for  my  faltering  then 
got  advantage  against  me;  yet  had  I  then  power  to 
bear  his  utmost  envy,  through  Christ  Jesus,  whom  I 
then  confessed  before  men,  who  then  was  my  support 
in  all,  and  under  all,  and  who  is  over  all,  blessed  for- 
ever of  all  who  have  proved  him  in  the  depth. 

But  that  which  was,  and  is  the  sorrow  of  my  heart, 
is  the  advantage  the  enemy  then  took  against  the 
name  of  Christ,  his  truth,  and  his  despised  people,  ip 
that  time  of  temptation,  which  is  that  which  thou  art 
now  pursuing  with  hatred  and  lies,  as  that  I  was  sus- 
pected to  have  a  woman  in  bed  with  me,  the  night 
before  I  suffered  at  Bristol,  when  there  were  six  or 
seven  persons  in  the  room  that  night,  and  a  man  (to 
wit)  Robert  Rich  in  bed  with  me.  But  this,  and  sev- 
eral other  false  things  thou  hast  written  in  thy  book, 
of  which  I  am  clear  before  the  Lord,  so  they  touch 
me  not  at  all;  nor  shall  I  here  mention  them  against 
-thee  in  particular;  but  to  God  alone  I  look,  in  his- 
time  to  be  cleared  from  all  offences  in  his  sight,  who 
only  knows  my  heart  in  this  thing, in  whose  presence 
I  can  say,  that  nothing  is  more  odious  and  burthen- 
some  to  my  soul,  than  that  any  of  the  glory  or  wor- 
ship which  belongs  to  God,  or  to  Christ,  should  be 
given  to  flesh  and  blood,  in  myself  or  others:  and  how- 
it  was  with  me  at  that  day  many  talk  of,  but  few  know ; 
30  the  judgment  of  such  I  bear,  desiring  that  none  in 
judging  me,  might  have  condemned  themselves  in 
God's  sight,  whose  counsels  are  a  great  deep,  and  the 
end  of  his  work  past  finding  out,  till  he  himself  reveal 
them;  but  in  the  end  he  will  be  justified  of  all,  and 
in  all  he  doth,  that  all  fiesh  may  be  silent  before  him. 

And  however  myself,  or  any  others  may  be  left  to 
themselves,  to  be  tried  in  the  night,  yea  should  any 
i  utterly  fall,  or  whatever  may  be  acted  by  any  man  or 
woman,  that  is  not  justifiable  in  God's  sight,  yet  in 
vain  dost  thou,  or  you  gather  up  sin,  or  watch  for  in- 
iquity, to  cast  upon  the  light  which  condemns  it  in 
every  enlightened  conscience,  and  there  will  clear 
himself  to  be  no  author  nor  actor  therein;  and  I  know 


{   630  ) 


by  the  spirit  of  Jesus,  which  I  have  received,  and 
which  worketh  in  me,  that  this  is  not  his  work,  nor  his 
seed,  nor  in  him  that  loves  his  enemies,  thou  art  notj 
but  the  old  accuser  of  the  brethren  it  is  that  worketh 
strongly  in  thee ;  and  in  the  light  which  thou  reproach- 
est,  art  thou  seen  to  be  the  man  that  makes  lies,  and 
carries  tales  to  shed  blood,  Ezek.  22,  9,  12. 

[The  rest  of  this  book,  in  answer  to  the  priests  old 
lying  stories  against  truth  and  friends,  not  being  so 
material  to  be  inserted,  is  here  omitted.] 


A  word  of  reproof  to  the  ministers  of  the  nation ^  vJiose  kingdom  is 
already  shaken  and  divided  against  itself  [preceding  the  distinction 

•  of  the  true  ministers— from  the  false.  Writ  by  G.  W.  and  J.  N.  in 
reply  to  J.  Bewick.] 

Being  a  word  to  the  said  John  Bewick,  and  the  rest  of  his  brethren  the 
hireling  priests,  who  are  in  his  way. 

Whether  are  you  now  run  for  a  refuge  and  defence 
for  your  tithes,  and  set  maintenance?  Doth  all  your 
old  grounds  fail  you  that  formerly  you  have  pleaded? 
Are  you  driven  out  of  scripture,  of  Christ  and  his  apos- 
tles; out  of  all  the  law  of  God  there,  and  out  of  law 
of  nations  and  countries;  and  would  you  now  fly  to 
Melchisedeck  for  help?  What!  Is  there  no  scripture 
command  that  will  own  you  in  your  yearly  stipends; 
and  are  you  afraid  of  men's  laws  failing  you ;  and  are 
you  now  fled  from  all  your  former  pleas,  and  think  you 
to  find  help  from  Melchisedeck?  Did  you  not  former- 
ly plead  divine  right,  and  told  us,  by  the  scriptures 
you  would  prove  it;  and  then  being  driven  out  of  all 
commands,  or  examples  in  scripture,  then  you  pleaded 
the  custom  of  the  country,  and  national  law:  and  by 
that  in  Oliver's  time  you  took  men's  goods,  and  cast 
them  into  prison,  and  made  havoc  and  spoil  abundant- 
ly? And  then  many  of  you  would  not  plead  scripture 


,  631  ) 


xi  ail ;  but  by  custom  and  human  law  yon  would  have 
it.  And  dare  you  no  longer  depend  upon  that?  And 
dare  you  now  think  Melchisedeck  will  stand  you  in 
stead,  or  own  you  in  your  work  and  trading,  any  more 
than  the  prophets  and  apostles?  What!  Are  ye  of 
the  order  of  Melchisedeck  now,  who  but  a  while  ago 
must  needs  plead  the  order  of  Levi?  And  then,  when 
chat  order  and  your  manners  would  not  stand  togeth- 
er, then  you  pleaded  the  order  of  nations.  And  now 
thou  J.  B.  in  thy  book,  woaldst  make  people  believe^ 
that  you  are  after  the  order  of  Melchisedeck,  and  that 
tithes  were  yours  before  they  were  given  to  Levi,  and 
that  he  had  them  but  for  a  time,  by  a  special  com- 
mand, till  you  came,  and  then  you  were  to  come  up 
after  the  order  of  Melchisedeck,  and  so  you  must  now 
enjoy  them  forever,  &c. 

But  now  you  must  be  tried  in  the  light,  whether 
you  be  of  that  order  or  no,  as  well  as  you  have  been 
tried  with  the  order  of  Levi ;  and  if  you  be  found  of 
his  order,  then  we  will  grant  you  to  have  right  to  his 
maintenance  (if  you  will  be  but  content  with  it)  for 
we  must  needs  think  it  meet,  that  children  should  in- 
herit the  right  of  their  fathers.  So  if  you  be  Melchis- 
edeck's  children,  you  will  do  his  works,  which  were 
to  relieve  the  weary  soldier  with  his  own  bread  and 
wine;  so  you  may  expect  his  reward,  if  they  be  free 
to  give  it  you,  as  Abram  was  of  his  spoils:  for  we 
never  readahat  it  was  the  order  of  Melchisedeck,  to 
ravine  about  after  outward  things,  nor  sued  people  for 
hire,  nor  spoiled  their  estates,  nor  cast  them  into  pris« 
on,  nor  any  way  sought  after  gifts  or  rewards:  nor  do 
we  read  that  he  ever  required  or  received  any  yearly 
tithes  of  any  people  or  parish,  either  sheaves,  beasts, 
swine,  fowls,  or  the  like,  which  was  to  relieve  their 
families,  from  any  creature,  but  as  he  was  the  priest 

'  of  the  most  high  God,  not  called  nor  made  of  men. — 
So  he  was  maintained  by  him,  and  not  by  men,  and 
he  was  like  to  him  that  called  him,  a  bountiful  man 
ready  to  give,  ready  to  bless  and  to  relieve  others  in 

J  their  way;  as  appears  in  what  he  did  to  Abram  and 


(  632  )  * 

his  army  in  the  way,  he  met  them  with  bread  and 
wine,  and  gave  them  freely,  and  asked  them  nothing 
again,  and  so  he  received  freely  tithes  of  Abram's 
spoils;  but  never  can  any  of  you  prove,  that  he  had 
the  tithes  of  Abram's  estate,  stock  or  tillage,  nor  ever 
demanded,  or  sued,  or  took  by  force  any  part  of  any 
man's  goods  upon  any  pretence  whatsoever. 

So  here  is  Melchisedeck's  order ;  if  you  be  of  it,  and 
his  children,  then  you  will  own  it,  and  it  will  own  yon, 
and  we  shall  own  it  also  in  you.  And  in  this  order 
we  find  him  who  was  of  that  priesthood,  Christ  Jesus, 
a  priest  forever  after  his  order,  who  to  us  is  an  exam- 
ple forever;  and  all  that  walk  contrary  we  deny,  who 
said,  it's  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive,  who 
was  bountiful  in  feeding  others,  but  for  himself  he  had 
not  whereon  to  lay  his  head.  This  was  after  the  or- 
der of  Melchisedeck,  and  all  his  are  after  him  forever; 
and  therefore  none  of  his  ministers  did  ever  require 
any  thing  for  themselves  but  what  was  free,  nor  cov- 
eting any  man's  gold,  money  or  apparel,  nor  ever  in 
the  least  did  mention  tithes  to  themselves,  or  make 
any  yearly  bargain  about  carnal  things  whatsoever, 
but  preached  freely  and  received  freely,  or  nothing. 
And  this  in  scripture  we  find  to  be  the  order  of  Mel- 
chisedeck, and  the  order  of  Christ  and  of  his  apostles, 
if  you  can  receive  it- 

But  on  the  contrary,  when  we  see  a  sort  of  men 
who  never  heard  God's  voice,  running  and  enquiring 
who  can  get  the  greatest  yearly  stipends,  tithes,  or 
augmentations,  and  tearing  peoples  bodies  and  es- 
tates, if  they  get  it  not,  according  to  the  havoc  that 
hath  been  made  by  the  priests  of  this  nation  in  these 
late  years,  this  was  never  the  order  of  Melchisedeck, 
Christ  or  his  apostles,  nor  the  order  of  Aaron  neither, 
who  had  a  law  for  tithes,  but  the  order  of  Eli's  sons, 
who  were  sons  of  Belial,  who  know  not  the  Lord,  and 
therefore  sent  their  servants  to  take  it  by  force,  as  now 
hath  been  done,  to  the  spoiling  of  many  families. 

So  you  are  found  further  from  the  order  of  Melchis- 
edeck, Christ  and  bis  apostles,  than  from  the  order  of 


(  633  ) 


Levi,  as  far  as  the  priesthood  and  ministration  of 
Christ,  exceeds  in  bounty  and  freeness  the  ministra- 
tion of  Moses;  so  far  are  you  come  short  in  your  or- 
ders and  manners,  in  this  covetous  practice  after 
earthly  things.  And  you  are  seen  to  be  after  the  or- 
der of  those  who  mind  earthly  things,  which  the  apos- 
tles foretold  of.  who  were  coming  up  in  their  time,  who 
served  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  their  own  bellies, 
and  made  merchandize  of  people  in  their  times 
through  covetous  practices.  And  this  hath  been  the 
order  and  manners  Oi"  you,  as  your  practices  have 
proved  in  these  late  years,  to  the  ruining  of  many  fam- 
ilies; and  so  your  manners  have  declared  your  order 
and  descent,  none  that  ever  were  from  above  doing 
such  things. 

So  it's  in  vain  to  seek  to  cover  that  with  words, 
which  is  so  monstrouslv  broken  out  into  contrary  ac- 
tions: the  sheeps  clothing  can  no  longer  cover  your 
various  natures.  And  for  this  end  hath  God  left  you 
to  yourselves,  that  your  practices  may  exceed,  and  so 
make  you  manifest  to  the  full.  And  thus  hath  he  left 
you,  that  the  more  you  seek  to  cover  yourselves  with 
deceitful  words,  the  more  you  give  occasion  for  people 
to  mind  your  unanswerable  lives,  which  are  become 
so  boundless  in  covetousness,  pride  and  oppression, 
that  neither  Christ,  Melchisedeck  nor  Moses  can  own 
3u  therein,  nor  will  answer  what  you  do.  So  that 
.vhen  you  have  done  what  you  can,  you  must  be  driv- 
en back  to  her  that  brought  you  forth,  who  rides  upon 
the  beast;  for  no  other  power  will  own  you,  nor  bear 
you  in  your  practices.  O  unreasonable  men,  what  un- 
reasonable work  have  you  made  in  these  late  years  in 
this  nation?  What  begging  and  petitioning  have  you 
made  to  every  several  power,  to  enlarge  your  bene- 
fits? what  thrusting  out  one  another  out  of  great  liv- 
ings to  get  in  yourselves;  and  when  you  have  got  in, 
what  havoc  have  you  made  of  the  peoples  estates, 
and  still  cried  to  the  earthly  powers  for  more  main- 
tenance? What  suing  and  casting  into  prisons  of  poor 
people?  How  have  you  cursed  the  great  ones  that 

80 


<  634  ) 


were  over  you  when  they  would  not  serve  your  turn, 
and  stirred  up  wars  against  them,  till  all  have  been  as 
heaps  by  your  means?  How  have  you  flattered  such 
as  would  feed  you,  while  they  had  power,  and  when 
they  fell,  then  you  have  reviled  them,  and  crept  under 
the  next,  and  flattered  them  also;  and  all  for  tithes 
and  augmentations,  and  the  like;  which  thou  callest 
the  golden  oil.    And  yet  you  would  have  us  believe 
you  are  not  covetous,  nor  preach  for  lucre.    And  you 
do  deceive  with  your  feigned  words  such  as  are  not 
able  to  judge  between  your  words  and  your  practices; 
and  so  the  blind  lead  the  blind,  and  you  hate  the  light 
that  discovers  you ;  and  we  can  truly  say,  that  it  is  not 
because  we  have  wronged,  or  falsely  rendered  you, 
that  you  thus  hate  us  above  all  men;  but  for  the  light 
that  is  in  us,  and  the  truth  that  makes  you  manifest. 
And  we  have  God's  witness  with  us  and  in  us,  that  we 
hate  not  your  persons,  but  your  ungodly  practices; and 
so  much  the  more  are  we  made  to  testify  against  you, 
as  you  seek  to  cover  yourselves  with  wresting  the 
scriptures,  and  taking  the  name  of  Christ's  ministers 
upon  you,  but  walk  in  such  ways  as  none  of  his  ever 
walked  in:  and  in  faithfulness  to  God  and  godly  men, 
we  cannot  allow  you  neither  Melchisedeck,  Christ  nor 
his  apostles,  nor  any  of  their  words  to  cover  you,  until 
you  come  into  their  lives,  and  leave  your  devouring 
and  covetous  practices. 

And  couldest  thou  blush,  thou  hadst  never  had  a 
face  to  have  quoted  such  scriptures  in  this  thy  book, 
and  laid  them  upon  the  false  prophets  and  false  teach-^ 
ers  of  old,  whilst  thyself  art  found  in  the  very  same 
^teps ;  so  that  modesty  cannot  but  admire  how  thou 
couldest  pass  through  them,  and  not  be  wounded  in 
thy  conscience,  and  made  ashamed;  what  a  forehead 
have  you  got?  Or  that  ever  thou  shouldest  so  much  as 
mention  one  scripture  of  the  apostles,  or  any  ministers 
of  Christ  under  tiie  law,  to  prove  tithes  due  to  a  min- 
ister of  Christ  under  the  gospel?  A  thing  which  none 
of  them  ever  owned,  or  so  much  as  mentioned,  other- 
wise than  as  to  deny  them:  what  a  reprobate  sense 


(  635  > 


are  some  men  now  given  up  to?  Or  was  ever  truth  so 
perverted  contrary  to  the  life  and  practice  thereof ? 

And  as  for  Melchisedeck,  whom  thou  vvouldest  make 
thy  refuge,  he  will  not  own  you,  nor  serve  your  turn^^ 
who  only  received  tithes  of  the  spoil  of  what  was  ta- 
ken by  the  sword,  and  that  but  once,  and  that  not  by 
command  nor  demand,  but  by  a  free  gift,  upon  his 
feeding  the  soldiers  first  with  bread  and  wine  freely^ 
How  this  will  afford  you  an  everlasting  law,  to  de- 
mand the  tenth  of  peoples  labours  and  estates,  by 
which  they  should  relieve  their  families,  and  not  find- 
ing them  free  therein,  to  take  it  by  violence;  they  are 
blind  indeed,  who  see  you  not  therein,  your  false  ground 
and  false  covers. 

And  whereas  you  teachers  use  your  tongues  for 
your  great  tithes  and  set  maintenance;  and  the  more 
to  prevail  upon  doubtful-minded  people,  you  take  the 
apostles  words,  and  by  putting  your  meanings  on  them, 
make  some  people  believe,  that  when  they  spoke  of 
living  on  the  gospel,  they  meant  tithes  and  augmen- 
tations, &c.  We  say,  alas!  deceived  men,  you  cannot 
deceive  us  therewith,  for  we  in  plainness  tell  you, 
that  the  practice  of  the  true  prophets  and  apostles, 
gives  the  true  and  open  meanings  of  their  teachings 
and  writings,  and  to  that  must  you  come  before  their 
words  can  own  you,  or  we  rWow  you  their  words,  as 
to  have  part  or  possession  in  them;  for  we  know  the 
true  ministers  of  Christ  preached  not  for  their  bellies, 
nor  their  masterships,  nor  sought  themselves,  nor  ever 
named  tithes,  as  belonging  to  them,  in  any  case,  nor 
was  ever  augmentation  in  the  bargain  to  any  people, 
as  to  their  preaching  and  gospel,  nor  did  they  claim  a 
great  house  to  dwell  in,  but  in  all  things  laboured  to 
follow  their  Lord  and  master,  who  had  no  possession 
in  the  earth,  for  which  they  left  what  they  had  of 
their  own,  to  be  as  he  was,  and  preached  freely  as  he* 
did.  And  this  testimony  is  given  of  them  in  the 
scriptures  of  truth,  that  they  wandered  to  and  fro,  in 
hunger,  cold  and  nakedness,  having  no  certain  dwel- 
ling place.    And  this  was  their  reward,  namely,  to 


(   636  ) 


make  the  gospel  without  charge,  that  it  might  be  as 
free  to  others,  as  they  had  received  it  of  God:  and 
they  never  handled  the  word  for  gain,  nor  taught 
for  filthy  lucre,  nor  made  merchandize  with  it,  as, 
what  will  you  give  me?  Judas-like;  nor  had  they 
great  houses  to  live  in,  and  great  tithe-barns  to  lay 
up  earthly  treasure,  nor  any  way  exercised  covetous 
practices,  but  had  whole  churches,  to  which  they  had 
not  been  chargeable  at  all. 

Now  for  men  to  take  such  mens  words,  to  cover  their 
covetous,  cruel  and  ravenous  spoil  and  imprisonments, 
would  be  as  the  taking  a  sheep's  skin  to  put  on  a 
wolf's  back,  and  then  say  he  is  a  sheep,  which  might 
deceive  the  sheep,  but  could  not  change  the  wolf's  na* 
ture.  Wherefore  we  cannot  see  the  holy  men  of  God 
so  abused  and  be  silent,  as  to  have  their  words  so 
wrested,  quite  contrary  to  the  life  thereof,  and  their 
godly  innocent  lives  so  wronged,  as  to  be  represented 
as  men  of  such  manners  and  behaviour.  So  let  them 
alone, and  their  holy  words  and  godly  innocent  lives; 
abuse  them  not  by  taking  them  into  your  mouths,  so 
as  to  represent  them  to  be  men  of  your  order  and  be- 
haviour. 

And  Melchisedeck  and  Christ,  cause  not  their 
names  to  be  evil  thought  on,  by  making  people  believe 
them  to  be  fathers  or  authors  of  such  spoil  or  bon- 
dage to  poor  people,  or  of  the  true  gospel  being  so 
chargeable.  This  is  charged  upon  you  all,  as  you 
will  answer  him  in  his  day,  when  he  comes  in  all  his 
holy  ones,  whom  wicked  men  have  belied;  and  in  the 
mean  li-re  be  ashamed  of  your  comparing  yourselves 
with  them,  and  confounded  in  your  abuse  of  the  holy 
scriptures,  and  of  the  holy  mens  lives;  for  the  light 
is  come  from  on  high,  and  guile  is  found  in  your  mouths, 
and  earthliness  in  your  minds. 

And  you  that  call  your  carnal  maintenance  of  tithes 
and  augmentations  the  golden  oil  {a.s  thou  dost  in  thy 
book)  are  seen,  in  the  light  of  God,  to  be  wholly  ig- 
norant of  the  true  anointing,  which  should  give  you 
sight  in  yourselves,  and  so  cannot  lead  others  out  of 


(   637  ) 


ihe  world.  And  it's  no  wonder  that  you  so  oppose  the 
true  liglit,  your  lamp  must  needs  be  darkness,  when 
earthly  things  is  your  oil;  your  gold  must  needs  be 
dross,  and  your  prize  below  the  mark  of  election,  and 
corruption  carries  the  draught  in  your  balance,  whose 
golden  oil  is  earthly  things.  You  are  seen  to  be  the 
men  who  have  in  you  the  false  measure,  and  bag  of 
deceitful  weights.  How  is  the  holy  one  prized  in  you? 
How  is  the  invisible  disallowed?  And  how  have 
you  put  the  price  upon  carnal  things,  whose  gold  is 
become  dross  and  corruption,  counted  gold?  Are 
you  the  lights  of  these  days?  Or  can  your  eye  lead 
to  immortal  treasure?  Or,  shall  you  be  the  men  who 
must  reveal  that  which  hath  been  hid  from  ages,  at 
whose  appearance  they  that  find  him  count  your  gain 
loss,  your  gold  dross,  and  your  oil  darkness,  death 
and  a  stink. 

I  And  know,  you  earthly-minded  men,  that  the  true 
light  is  risen  on  his  children,  who  is  the  father  of  lights, 
though  your  eye  be  yet  in  the  earth,  and  your  minds 
carnal,  calling  good  evil,  and  evil  good,  putting  light 
for  darkness,  and  darkness  for  light,  as  earthly  minds 
have  ever  done.  And  it's  in  vain  for  you  to  deceive 
such  with  chaff,  and  dross,  and  corruption,  by  your 
calling  it  gold,  or  by  wresting  scriptures  to  feed  such 
with  a  lie;  for  in  us  the  truth  is  become  judge  and 
law-giver,  and  hath  redeemed  us  from  lying  tongues: 
glory  and  praises  to  the  truth  everlasting! 
And  we  know  that  tithes  were  the  maintenance  of  the 
Jews,  Levites  and  Priests,  but  never  of  the  christians, 
by  any  command  or  example  of  Christ  our  head,  who 
gave  his  life  to  abolish  them,  and  that  priesthood,  and 
many  other  yokes  of  bondage,  which  the  Jew's  reli- 
gion lay  under;  and  having  triumphed  over  them  all, 
sent  out  his  servants  in  his  own  spirit,  to  proclaim  free- 
dom freely;  and  they  gathered  subjects  into  his  king- 
dom, whom  he  redeemed  without  money,  to  serve  him 
freely:  and  of  him  we  are,  and  his  glory  we  may  not 
give  to  another  spirit,  nor  receive  another  gospel,  that 
genders  to  the  earth  and  to  bondage. 


638  ) 


And  for  this  it  is  we  suffer  spoil  to  this  day,  and  not 
Ibr  covetonsness,  nor  in  despite  to  men,  nor  in  opposi- 
tion to  any  law  of  men,  but  for  his  sake  alone,  whose 
precious  blood  hath  redeemed  us  into  a  better  cove- 
nant and  kingdom ;  and  wo  to  us,  if  we  give  up  to 
please  men,  or  save  ourselves.  And  so  being  faithful 
we  please  God,  and  therein  we  have  peace,  and  he 
pleads  our  cause,  and  lifts  up  our  heads  through  all., 
and  is'with  us  through  good  report  and  evil  report,  and 
we  have  glory  and  joy  in  his  reproach,  and  triumph 
over  the  enmity  that  for  his  sake  comes  upon  us  from 
all  sorts  of  earthly  minds;  and  we  are  made  to  con- 
tend against  many  beastly  spirits,  that  seek  our  de- 
struction; yet  may  not  we  give  up  his  right  and  our 
freedom,  which  with  his  precious  life  he  once  purcha- 
sed for  all  his,  of  which  inheritance  we  have  a  part, 
through  the  light  of  his  grace,  by  which  he  hath  call- 
ed us  to  freedom  in  him,  as  our  purchased  possession, 
which  the  spirit  of  the  world  would  drive  us  from,  to 
serve  the  spirit  of  bondage.  And  so  here  is  a  reason, 
of  the  hope  of  life  that  is  in  us  before  all  men. 

And  we  know  assuredly,  that  as  long  as  our  God 
shall  suffer  men  to  hate  us,  and  reproach  and  spoil  us 
for  this,  vve  being  faithful  shall  not  want  the  lamb's 
power,  to  withstand  all  your  deceitful  words  and  works 
of  cruelty,  and  not  be  tainted  with  your  enmity,  nor 
give  up  the  right  of  his  kingdom,  but  in  perfect  peace 
be  kept  therein,  till  righteousness  arise  to  reign,  and 
judge  for  the  meek  of  the  earth,  who  are  found  faith- 
ful to  his  coming. 

J.  N. 


MILK  FOR  BABES 


AND 

MEAT  FOR  STRONG  MEN  TREATED  OF. 

That  a  feast  of  fat  things,  and  wine  well  refined  on  the  lees,  they 
may  come  to  be  nrtde  partakers  of. 

Written  by  James  Nayler,  in  the  time  of  his  confinement  in  prison, 
|3Ut  not  published  till  1661. 

O  come  young  men  and  maidens,  old  men  and  babes, 
md  drink  abundantly  of  the  streams  that  run  from  the 
fountain,  that  you  may  feel  a  well-spring  of  living  wa- 
ter in  yourselves,  springing  up  to  eternal  life ;  that  as  he 
lives  [even  Christ  Jesus]  from  whence  all  the  springs  dd 
come,  so  you  may  live  also,  and  partake  of  his  glory 
that  is  ascended  at  the  right  hand  of  the  father,  far 
ibove  principalities  and  powers. 

To  you  tender  hearted  ones,  who  have  felt  the  call 
of  the  father's  love,  who  now  see  more  desirableness 
and  beauty  in  innocency  and  meekness,  than  in  all  the 
mountains  of  prey,  or  self-conceited  exaltations  ari- 
sing from  the  airy  knowledge:  my  soul  is  with  you  here- 
,in;  and  in  that  which  hath  given  you  the  sight  of  this 
jcxcellency,  wait  low,  and  diligently  hearken  thereto, 
jUntil  the  thing  itself  spring  up,  which  naturally  hath 
this  riches  in  it,  which  cometh  from  above,  and  yet  it 
is  felt  far  below  all  fleshly  affections,  high  thoughts, 
and  hasty  desires,  and  by  these  is  veiled  and  hid  from 
you;  so  that  you  cannot  come  to  the  life  and  spring  of 
it,  but  as  you  deny  these,  and  put  them  off,  by  sinking 
I  down  through  them,  all  these  earthly  foundations  and 
ends,  to  rise  up:  for  under  all  these  your  beloved  suf- 
fer^ls,  while  these  are  above  in  your  minds,  and  thro' 
the  fall  of  all  these  must  he  arise,  and  over  all  these 
take  the  kingdom,  ere  you  come  to  have  a  quiet  dwel- 
ling place  in  him,  and  he  in  you.    So  under  all  these 
must  you  pass,  and  into  the  likeness  of  his  death  you 


(  640  ) 


must  come,  and  be  planted  therein,  that  the  fellowship 
of  his  sufferings  you  may  feel,  and  partake  of  his  meek- 
ness and  patience  therein,  who  beareth  all  things ;  and 
your  faithfuhiess  with  him  therein  must  be  thoroughly 
proved:  in  which  faith  and  patience  you  shall  learn 
him  whom  you  love,  his  reproach  without,  his  tempta- 
tions within,  even  such  trials  as  cannot  be  declared  to 
another,  shall  you  learn  in  him,  with  his  love,  obedi- 
ence, patience,  meekness  and  long-suffering  under  all; 
and  how  through  all  these  he  ariseth,  in  which  resur- 
rection he  chaineth  his  enemies,  and  takes  them  cap- 
tive wose  captives  you  were;  and  thus  shall  you  have 
fellowship  in  his  resurrection,  wherein  you  shall  attain 
to  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  the  inheritance  of 
eternal  life. 

But  dear  children,  who  seek  this  to  attain,  think  it 
not  strange,  when  for  the  attaining  hereof  you  come 
to  be  rejected  of  all,  denied,  condemned,  contradicted^ 
and  tempted  with  all  manner  of  spirits  and  evils;  as- 
saults within  and  without,  with  fears  and  dread,  in 
weakness,  watchmgs  and  fastings,  with  tears  of  sor- 
row night  and  day;  to  be  led  into  the  wilderness,  and 
there  tempted,  tried  in  the  night  with  great  temptations 
and  see  no  way  out;  led  on  a  way  you  know  not,  a 
way  of  wrath  and  terror,  and  passing  by  the  gates  of 
hell,  and  none  to  pity  you,  nor  take  your  part;  chas- 
tened alone,  that  you  may  be  proved  to  the  uttermost; 
and  when  this  you  come  into,  then  faint  not,  nor  look 
back  ,  but  lift  up  your  head  through  all,  and  know,  that 
now  he  deals  with  you  as  with  sons  and  daughters  of 
his  love:  take  heed  you  murmur  not, nor  measure  him 
with  yourselves,  nor  repine  at  the  rod;  cast  not  your 
evil  eye  upon  the  instruments,  who,  or  what  they  may 
be;  for  that  will  beget  wrath  in  your  minds,  and  then 
you  will  lose  the  life  you  aim  at,  and  suffer  in  vain; 
but  in  the  greatest  floods  keep  your  eye  to  your  belov- 
ed, retain  patience  and  meekness  in  long-suffering, 
with  faith:  let  these  be  ever  in  your  heart  as  the  end 
of  all ;  and  still  believe,  that  all  that  befalls  you  is  but 
to  waste  that  which  would  hinder  you  from  being  join- 


(  641  ) 


ed  unto  him  yoii  so  highly  prize.  So  in  all  things  keep 
with  him,  let  his  joy  be  strength  unto  you  in  all,  and 
the  appearance  of  his  beauty  will  refresh  you  in  the 
new, as  the  old  dotii  waste;  and  with  him  make  war 
against  the  enmity,  and  let  his  love  quench  all  wrath 
that  would  arise;  let  him  be  your  shield  of  faith;  and 
whatever  you  are  led  into  while  you  retain  him  single 
in  your  minds,  it  shall  be  profitable  to  the  end  expected, 
but  without  him  }  ou  can  do  nothing:  so  if  you  pray  to 
the  father,  let  it  be  by  him:  in  all  your  wrestlings,  his 
meekness,  patience  and  long-sutTering,  with  faith,  pre- 
vails much  with  God.  If  you  resist  the  tempter,  let  it 
oe  in  him;  its  his  good  that  only  hath  power  to  over- 
ome  the  evil ;  and  here  is  your  strength  in  all,  if  you 
hold  him  stedfast  in  your  minds;  in  the  fire  and  in  the 
floods  he  will  be  with  you,  and  be  your  power  and 
peace,  and  make  your  way  through  all. 

Though  at  some  times  the  clouds  may  be  so  thick, 
^  and  the  powers  of  darkness  so  strong  in  your  eye  that 
you  see  him  not,  yet  love  him,  and  believe,  and  you 
have  him  present;  you  shall  feel  his  patience  calling 
you  down  out  of  the  storm,  and  his  meekness  moving 
you  to  follow  him  who  hath  gone  the  same  way  before 
in  all  his  saints.  This  is  your  beloved,  who  now  goeth 
before  you,  hear  him  alone;  then  are  you  faithful, 
when  you  look  for  no  other  to  be  with  you  in  all,  nor 
to  redeem  you  out  of  all  but  him  whom  you  love:  so 
that  though  the  tempter  should  tender  you  relief  some 
other  way  (for  herewith  be  will  prove  you,  if  he  see 
he  cannot  drive  you  from  the  meek  and  patient  one  by 
sufferings  and  threatening,  then  will  he  flatter  and 
promise,  to  draw  you  from  him)  yet  this  is  your  faith- 
fulness, that  you  abide  till  meekness  and  patience  bring 
you  out. 

For  whatever  you  own  for  your  redeemer  out  of 
trouble,  that  must  be  your  Lord  and  master,  and  you 
its  Servant:  wherefore  take  heed  you  own  none  for  a 
helper,  but  him  whom  you  look  to  inherit;  so  he  that 
makes  flesh  his  arm,  inherits  the  curse;  and  the  earth 
"ometh  over  him, and  he  must  serve  it:  but  stav  you  in 

81 

i 


(  642  ) 


tiie 'meekness  of  Christ,  his  peace  and  patience,  and 
receive  the  earnest  of  your  inheritance  in  the  day  of 
your  trouble;  and  when  you  come  out,  none  shall  be 
j  able  to  take  it  from  you,  nor  any  contrary  nature 
shall  be  Lord  in  you,  nor  over  you  ;  but  he  in  whom  yoa 
have  trusted  shall  rest  upon  you,  and  his  glory  shall 
cover  you,  and  he  shall  become  your  life  and  leader 
for  ever. 

And  being  faithful  in  this  trial,  you  shall  learu 
Christ  and  find  out  the  wiles  of  Satan,  and  perfectl3f 
feel  what  he  hath  of  his  own  in  you,  to  work  upon, 
even  by  their  present  working  in  your  minds;  for  that 
which  thinks  sufferings  hard,  and  time  long,  that  is  not 
to  be  trusted;  for  it  will  work  in  the  reasonings  a  dis- 
trust, and  tempt  to  look  out  for  freedom  and  ease  by 
by  some  visible  help;  or  if  it  cannot  prevail  to  hunt 
about  for  freedom,  yet  if  any  carnal  way  be  opened,  it 
will  form  a  fair  pretence  as  though  it  were  of  God, 
which  is  not  of  God  ;and  this  seeks  to  betray  you  from 
,  the  just  and  faithful  one,  and  would  part  you  from 
\  your  chaste  waiting  upon  him  whom  you  love,  taking 
his  advantage  by  your  haste,  weariness  and  weakness 
in  the  journey.  But  that  which  only  minds  to  be  obe- 
dient to  God  in  suffering  and  acting  with  faith  and  dili- 
gence, hearkening  with  all  long-suffering,  meekness 
and  patience,  w  hat  he  saith,  thinking  it  a  greater  thing 
to  obtain  counsel  from  him,  than  ease  from  another; 
believing  that  no  other  can  give  an  expected  end  but 
him,  to  wit,  an  inheritance  in  that  you  wait  for;  and 
therefore  count  nothing  dear  that  you  may  win  hiro, 
thinking  no  time  long,  nor  any  thing  hard  to  endure, 
for  the  joy  and  beauty  that  is  set  before  you:  this  will 
never  deceive  you  of  the  redemption  of  truth;  your 
beloved  and  redeemer,  and  Lord,  is  one,  and  you  shall 
j  not  be  put  to  your  slight  shifts  as  they  that  go  out  from 
!  that  spirit  are;  for  you  shall  feel  and  see  your  redee- 
mer in  the  midst  of  you,  and  with  his  body  shall  you 
rise  and  live,  and  you  shall  not  be  ransomed  with  sil- 
ver or  gold  from  the  hand  of  the  oppressor,  but  by  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  a  lamb  without  spot;  not 


C   643  ) 


With  any  corruptible  thing,  but  his  long-suftering,  faith 
and  patience,  his  love  and  meek  spirit  shall  set  you 
out  of  all  darkness,  and  above  all  fears;  and  your 
freedom  will  be  perfect,  and  inheritance  large,  when 
all  that  would  not  stay  upon  him  alone,  are  consumed 
in  the  fiery  trials,  which  hastes-ease  and  distrust,  will 
never  bring  to  an  end;  till  which  you  are  not  fit  to  be 
oined  to  him  you  love,  in  ever-living  obedience  and 
everlasting  praises,  the  portion  of  all  who  have  waited 
on  him,  and  have  found  him  faithful  in  the  end. 

And  having  learned  this  mystery  of  godliness,  and 
found  the  worth  of  it,  you  having  found  his  way  perfect 
and  pure,  and  him  faithful  to  such  as  walk  therein,  you 
may  be  able  to  direct  the  simple  and  unlearned  in  the 
desirable  way  to  rest,  and  your  words  have  in  them  a 
manifestation  of  life,  and  quickening  power  is  with  you, 
and  this  shall  be  your,  everlasting  strength,  that  you 
are  redeemed  with  that  you  so  dearly  loved. 

And  this  you  shall  feel  in  the  way,  that  the  more 
diligently  you  wait  upon  him  in  all  conditions  you  pass 
through,  even  so  the  more  do  you  receive  him,  by 
drinking  in  of  that  heavenly  virtue  that  is  in  him,  who 
is  the  meek  and  patient  one;  and  by  supping  continu- 
ally with  him,  and  he  with  you,  will  you  come  to  be 
filled  with  him,  that  all  haste,  and  impatiency  and 
distrust  will  be  overcome  by  him,  till  he  become  your 
whole  life;  and  all  your  thoughts,  words  and  actions 
have  their  rise  and  being  therein;  so  that  self  be  seen 
no  more,  nor  that  appear  in  which  death  or  condem- 
nation have  any  entrance  or  power.  And  this  shall 
you  find  to  be  the  house  from  above  and  Heavenly 
city,  in  which  the  holy  spirits  live  and  walk,  and  have 
communion  as  they  come  to  be  perfected;  of  which 
the  Lamb  is  the  light  and  salvation,  into  which  none 
enter,  but  who  through  his  meekness  and  long  suffer- 
ing are  ransomed,  and  by  faith  therein  redeemed. 

Who  being  thus  builded,  see  no  more  sorrow  nor 
fear  of  falling,  the  foundation  being  everlasting,  elect 
and  precious,  and  every  stone  therein  tried  in  the  fire, 
and  in  faithfulness  chosen  for  that  end, 


(   644  ) 

So  with  all  diligence  sink  down  to  feel  the  election, 
not  minding  that  which  boasts  in  high  words  before  it 
be  tried,  but  when  it  comes  into  the  fire,  will  not  stand 
patience  in  the  trial,  but  through  thai  being  given  up 
to  death,  seek  for  that  which  lies  under  in  the  suffer- 
ing, which  calls  yon  down  from  every  high  thought: 
to  him  come  down  into  the  low  valley,  who  bears  all 
things  without  complaining,  that  with  him  you  may 
suffer,  and  with  him  you  may  obey,  and  in  all  things 
he  may  be  with  you,  and  you  with  him.  This  is  the 
election,  make  him  sure  to  yourselves  in  life  and  death; 
so  shall  you  be  changed  by  him:  and  though  you  go 
down  into  a  low  estate  with  him,  he  shall  raise  yon 
spiritual ;  though  you  are  s(Hvn  weak,  yet  shall  you  be 
raised  in  power;  if  you  rise  not  but  with  him,  as  he 
raises  you;  if  you  cast  not  off  the  yoke,  nor  fly  the 
cross, nor  heal  your  ow^n  wound;  though  your  wound 
be  mortal,  yet  the  cure  is  immortal;  though  you  go 
down  in  shame  and  reproach,  yet  raised  in  glory,  and 
covered  with  immortal  honour  and  eternal  life,  with 
power  and  strength  to  fulfil  the  will  of  (iod,  and  the 
answer  of  a  good  conscience;  through  this  baptism 
and  resurrection  you  shall  attain,  and  so  become  one 
in  spirit  with  him  that  dwells  in  the  light,  in  death,  in 
sufferings,  in  patience,  in  faith  and  in  obedience,  which 
otherwise  no  mortal  man  can  approach  to,  there  be- 
ing that  to  be  fulfilled  which  the  light  requires,  which 
the  first  man  hath  not  in  power,  so  by  that  law  (his 
life  he  must  lose)  which  hath  power  over  the  trans- 
gressor as  long  as  he  lives,  and  cannot  be  joined  to 
Christ  till  to  that  law  he  be  dead;  so  the  first  which 
is  earthly  the  law  kills  because  of  sin  and  want  of 
obedience ;  but  he  that  is  born  again  of  the  spirit,  lives 
because  of  righteousness  and  obedience.  So  the 
boaster  is  excluded,  being  concluded  under  sin,  that 
the  mercy  may  arise  in  the  meek  principle  over  all,  to 
fulfil  all. 

The  light  saith,  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself:  this 
the  first  birth  cannot  do,  so  the  boaster  is  excluded, 
and  the  law  lays  hold  on  that  life,  which  wants  this 


(  64r>  ) 


•  ove,  and  the  creature  must  give  up  that  to  death,  that 
he  may  come  to  the  meek  spirit,  for  the  power  of  that 
life  and  obedience  that  hath  righteousness  in  it;  and 
the  creature  drawing  his  mind  and  affections,  and  faith 
from  the  first,  who  hath  words  without  power,  and 
giving  these  to  the  second,  the  first  falls,  withers,  and 
dies  in  that  vessel,  and  as  the  mind  is  diligent  in  the 
second,  he  rises  in  the  faith,  and  Christ  raiseth  the 
power  of  obeiiience  in  that  vessel,  and  so  as  he  rises 
through  the  law,  he  brings  forth  fruits  above  the  law, 
against  which  there  is  no  law.    So  he  in  whom  the 
covenant  is,  and  hath  the  power  of  obedience  to  right- 
eousness, puts  an  end  to  the  law:  so  he  being  denied, 
dead  and  buried,  whose  life  arose  through  disobedi- 
ence, who  IS  the  transgressor,  and  because  of  whom 
the  law  was  added,  the  law  becomes  dead  also.  He 
that  fulfils  the  law  is  he  that  gave  it  forth,  and  is  the 
end  thereof,  in  whom  by  faith  you  live,  and  inherit 
'this  righteousness,  as  you  put  him  on  through  death 
who  is  this  life.    So  being  faithful  in  the  light,  shall 
you  learn  him  that  kills  and  makes  alive,  that  casts 
down  and  raises  up,  that  condemns  and  justifies,  and 
so  shall  know  the  way  of  death  and  the  way  of  life; 
and  who  that  is  hardened  by  the  law,  and  who  fulfils 
it, and  the  life  and  end  of  both;  and  you  will  see  the 
cause  and  end  of  ail  the  tribulations,  earthquakes  and 
thunders,  and  several  voices,  clouds,  smoke  and  dark- 
ness, and  great  temptations,  and  the  trial  of  your  faith 
herein  will  be  as  that  of  gold,  and  will  bring  to  inher- 
it the  kingdom  of  God  and  eternal  life,  and  power  to 
judge  the  prince  of  the  air,  and  over  the  mystery  of 
iniquity,  and  to  deny  the  God  of  this  world,  with  all 
his  snares  and  traps,  wherein  the  unlearned  profess- 
ors are  caught,  and  held  captive  at  his  will,  though 
some  of  them  have  a  knowledge  and  form  of  the  truth, 
taught  from  what  others  have  thus  learned,  all  which 
you  shall  judge  and  have  power  over,  and  all  minis- 
tration under  the  son  shall  with  this  be  comprehended, 
whether  angels  or  spirits;  even  he  that  is  faithful  and 
diligent  unto  the  end  of  this  great  tribulation,  shall 


(  646  ) 


be  made  white,  and  have  judgment  committed  to  him, 
and  the  key  of  David's  house,  to  bind  and  lose,  and 
shall  sit  in  the  Lamb's  throne  of  judgment  and  right- 
eousness in  Heaven,  and  the  grave  nor  Hell  shall  have 
no  more  power,  nor  shall  his  old  iniquities  have  any 
more  power  over  him,  the  strength  of  sin  being  dead. 

Wherefore,  brethren,  in  the  light  be  faithful,  when 
you  come  into  this  condition;  take  heed  of  unbelief, 
and  haste  not  out  of  it,  lest  you  tempt  the  Lord  of 
your  life,  and  grieve  his  meek  spirit,  and  provoke  him 
to  leave  chastening,  and  so  your  spot  remain,  and  you 
prove  but  bastards,  and  not  free-born  children  of  his 
kingdom,  power  and  glory ;  and  so  in  time  your  old 
iniquities  overtake  you  again. 

For  whatever  of  the  old  man  comes  out  of  the  fire 
unconsumed,  dead  and  buried  in  this  baptism,  will  be 
a  continual  canker,  seeking  to  eat,  and  an  enemy,  dai- 
ly waiting  his  opportunity  upon  all  occasions  to  get 
up,  and  overspread  the  pure  plant  of  innocency,  and 
so  spoil  you  of  your  beloved,  and  so  make  void  all 
your  sufferings  past,  and  bring  in  the  old  evils  like  a 
flood  upon  you,  as  it  hath  befallen  many  at  this  day; 
but  be  faithful  to  the  end  of  all  iniquity,  the  root  as 
well  as  the  branch:  so  shall  your  righteousness  arise 
clear  and  unspotted,  and  your  old  sins  shall  therewith 
be  buried,  and  never  rise  again,  neither  to  accuse  nor 
reign.    And  this  is  your  victory  over  death. 

And  this  know  (whatever  others  imagine,  let  none 
deceive  you)  that  though  the  evil  seed  be  sown  when 
men  sleep,  and  take  root  with  pleasure,  and  spring  up 
with  ease  and  delight,  yet  the  end  thereof  is  bitterness 
and  great  tribulation ;  but  the  precious  seed  is  sown 
with  tears,  conceived  in  sorrow,  and  brought  to  light 
with  sighing,  nights  of  watching,  days  of  mourning, 
and  with  much  labour  of  spirit,  and  travail  of  soul, 
roust  you  come  to  see  your  desire ;  for  though  the  world 
have  conceived  a  faith  in  the  air,  and  so  bringeth 
forth  naught  but  several  sorts  of  winds  striving  upon 
the  earth,  without  foundation,  and  so  builds  nothing  to 
perfection;  yet  with  you  it  must  not  be  so, for  to  yoii 


(  647  ) 


'ihe  light  is  sprung  up,  which  leads  to  the  foundation 
of  God  ;  and  you  have  received  a  faith  that  gives  you 
a  sight  of  the  stone  which  the  builders  see  not;  and 
to  you  it  is  given,  not  only  to  believe  in  him,  but  to 
suffer  for  his  sake  in  the  behalf  of  him;  and  so  to  run 
as  to  win  him ;  so  to  strive  as  to  obtain  him,  his  name, 
his  power,  his  nature;  for  this  is  that  your  souls  groan 
for,  to  possess  and  inherit  his  power,  his  love,  his 
meekness,  his  patience  in  all  tribulations,  his  faith  in 
11  fears,  and  to  have  the  power  of  his  grace  and  vir« 
e  living  in  you,  whereby  you  may  be  men  of  able 
spirits,  rightly  furnished  to  every  good  work,  and 
against  all  evil,  that  in  him  you  may  overcome  when 
you  are  tried,  and  be  more  than  conquerors.  And 
v  our  work  is  to  war  against  whatever  would  keep  you 
from  coming  to  this  foundation  and  corner-stone. 

i  And  it  is  not  beating  the  air  that  will  fight  your  battle ; 
for  it's  against  all  deceits  you  are  to  fight,  and  airy 

'notions,  and  all  spirits  that  would  possess  you  with 
words  and  forms,  without  the  power  of  righteousnesss, 
and  whatever  lies  under  the  power  of  sin;  the  true 
light  gives  you  to  see  the  cursed  deceit  that  lies  in  all 
this,  and  that  these  are  the  subtle  paths  of  the  des- 
troyer; and  nothing  less  than  victory  over  sin  and 

;  subtility  will  satisfy  your  souls.  So  that  it's  only  life 
and  power  that  can  give  you  peace;  and  therefore 
yours  is  work,  and  not  vain  words;  and  that  which 
strikes  at  the  root  of  -sin  is  your  best  weapon.    So  it 

.  is  not  flesh  that  profits  you,  it's  the  spirit  that  must 
quicken  through  hardship,  that  which  ease  hath  slain, 
e're  you  come  to  perfect  peace. 

For  though  the  scriptures  speak  of  a  child  that  is 
lieir  of  all  things,  and  gives  this  inheritance  to  all  in 

J  whom  he  is  formed,  whose  name  is  wonderful  in  coun- 
sel and  strength ;  yet  is  not  this  brought  forth  without 
hard  labor  and  travail,  and  the  pangs  of  death  gone 
thorough;  for  when  you  come  to  the  Lord  for  counsel; 
and  feel  that  there  is  two  manner  of  seeds  in  the 
womb,  then  will  you  see  that  great  work  is  to  be 
ione  e're  you  come  to  rest;  there  is  the  strong  man  to 


(   648  ) 


be  bound,  before  the  babe  can  reign ;  and  strongly  is 
he  armed  with  all  manner  of  wiles  to  save  himself; 
and  it's  not  words  and  thoughts  that  will  cast  out  the 
mother  and  her  son,  which  must  not  inherit:  and  this 
must  be  done,  or  all  is  in  vain.  He  that  is  born  of 
flesh  is  in  bondage  to  things  here  below;  this  cannot 
inherit  immortality,  for  sin  hath  power  in  him;  and 
die  he  must,  that  the  son  of  righteousness  may  arise 
to  life  in  you,  and  bring  your  life  to  light  with  him,  as 
he  appears;  and  though  the  light  be  above  the  trans- 
gressor, yet  the«on  is  lowly  that  gives  it. 

So  being  faithful  in  the  light,  which  from  the  son 
Cometh,  which  condemneth  all  the  lofty  ways  of  the 
fiist-born,  you  will  thereby  be  led  into  ways  lowly, to 
cross  your  life  in  the  first  birth,  through  watchings 
and  fastings,  and  great  tribulations  [into  which  the 
spirit  will  lead  you]  whereby  the  false  birth  must  be 
famished;  for  there  is  nothing  for  the  lust  to  live  on, 
nor  for  that  wisdom  to  walk  in  that  loves  itself,  or 
seeks  its  ease  and  pleasure.  Then  be  faithful  to 
your  guide,  however  he  storms  that  is  to  be  des- 
troyed. 

And  with  all  diligence  press  into  that  which  calls 
in  the  wandering  mmd,  and  give  heed  with  watching 
and  wrestling  to  get  abiding  therein,  which  as  you  are 
faithful  therein,  it  will  be  enlarged,  till  it  become  a 
habitation  for  your  pure  minds  to  dwell  in,  and  take 
up  its  rest,  which  hath  been  tossed  to  and  fro  as  in  a 
wilderness ;  and  by  killing  in  the  watch  all  that  would 
draw  you  out,  and  sinking  down. into  this  meekness 
and  steadfast  lowliness,  you  will  come  to  feel  the 
plant  of  God  that  brings  forth  this  meekness  and  holi- 
ness, and  springs  of  living  virtue;  and  there  will  you 
meet  the  Lord  in  his  kingdom  on  earth,  where  he  de- 
lights to  walk,  as  in  a  garden;  for  in  these  things  he 
delights,  and  in  such  as  delight  therein;  and  there 
wait  to  feel  his  fellowship,  and  receive  his  counsel  in 
purity  and  coolness,  in  which  he  will  let  you  see  what- 
ever it  be  that  would  break  his  covenant  with  you, 
and  whatever  leadeth  out  from  the  eternal  life;  and 


(    649  ) 


vvill,  with  his  spirit,  lead  you  out  to  war  against  it;  in 
which  spiritual  war  being  faithful,  you  shall  not  fail 
of  victory,  till  every  cumbrance  in  your  minds  be  cast 
out,  and  so  heavenliness  become  a  quiet  habitation, 
that  in  the  meek  spfrit  you  may  feed  upon  the  hea- 
venly food,  and  not  to  have  that  ravenous  earthly  spi- 
rit to  steal  and  devour  it  from  the  soul. 

And  as  you  get  an  entrance  into  this  heavenly  man- 
on,  so  diligently  watch,  and  in  the  light  stand  armed 
igainst  the  thief,  and  keep  out  whatever  of  his  would 
titer  into  your  affections  or  desires,  under  what  pre- 
tence soever ;  for  if  it  enter  into  your  affections,  it  vvdl 
steal  away  your  minds  from  this  pure  innocent  plant, 
and  this  is  adultery,  treachery  and  whoredom,  which 
you  must  wrestle  igainst  in  the  power  of  his  love. 

And  with  willingness  of  mind  to  put  off  all  the  old 
idols  out  of  your  affections,  whatever  hat.h  any  place 
there;  for  by  the  entrance  of  that  through  lust,  hath 
'the  son  of  righteousness  suffered,  and  the  innocent 
been  slain;  and  until  that  be  condemned  and  cast  out, 
which  hath  come  over  the  just  in  your  affections,  the 
son  of  righteousness  arises  not  into  his  kingdom,  who 
must  give  you  the  entrance  into  this  holy  habitation, 
and  must  fulfil  all  righteousness  before  the  full  enjoy- 
ment be:  which  work  you  stop,  whilst  you  retain  the 
unrighteous,  having  a  seat  in  your  heart  uncondemned 
and  cast  out.  And  hence  it  is  that  many  seek  to  en- 
ter, but  are  not  able,  the  cursed  thing  not  being  cast 

I  out,  which  can  have  no  place  in  God's  kingdom,  with 
which  the  just  hath  not  communion,  nor  the  temple 
of  God  with  idols. 

And  this  I  say  to  you,  which  is  a  learnecVtrutli in  this 
uirney,  that  if  you  either  retain  your  old  lovers,  or 
.suffer  any  thing  now  to  enter  your  affections,  or  draw 

I  out  your  minds  from  this  pure  plant  of  righteousness 
and  truth,  you  shall  in  no  wise  in  that  state  enter  into 

■  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  for  this  is  the  way,  and  must 

I  make  your  entrance :  therefore  fight  against  whatev- 
er would  draw  you  from  it,  and  with  violence  break 
through  it,  and  take  the  kingdom;  for  only  he  that 

!  hath  been  faithful  in  the  baptism  of  John,  in  order  to 

82 


(  t)50  ) 


liilfil  all  righteousness,  shall  receive  power  to  presj 
into  the  kingdom.  And  when  you  come  here,  you  will 
find  violent  powers  to  keep  you  out,  which  with  the 
Lamb  in  war  must  be  overcome  violently ;  for  the 
strong  man  having  got  a  po^ession  within,  is  not 
easily  bound  and  cast  out,  for  it  is  a  spiritual  wicked- 
ness, and  in  high  places,  with  which  you  are  to  wres- 
tle: therefore  a  heavenly  virtue  contrary  thereto,  and 
of  a  greater  power  must  give  you  your  victory. 

So  press  into  the  heavenly  spirit  with  its  power,  to 
overcome  the  earthly  spirit  with  its  powers ;  strive 
earnestly  in  the  meek  spirit,  to  obtain  a  measure  of 
faith  and  patience,  larger  than  the  temptation,  and 
that  will  endure  to  the  end  of  it,  a  meekness  aud  love 
to  cover  all  strife  and  wrath,  a  long-suffering  to  famish 
all  haste, and  that  which  seeks  its  own  ease;  and  so 
in  all  things  with  desire,  drinking  in  of  the  heavenh 
virtue  from  above,  whereby  you  may  become  strength- 
ened with  all  might  to  stand  all  assaults  of  the  ene- 
my, within  or  without;  and  so  in  the  cross  come  to 
put  on  Christ  Jesus,  the  great  power  of  God  unto  sal- 
vation, and  well-spring  of  eternal  life  and  glory ;  which 
is  done  by  sinking  down  into  the  heavenly  feeling, 
contrary  to  the  will  of  the  exalted  life,  whereby  you 
will  be  overshadowed  from  above,  from  whence  the 
saviour  is  looked  for,  to  overcome  things  below. 

And  as  you  come  into  the  feeling  of  these  virtues, 
hold  them  fast,  till  he  come  who  is  the  fulness,  and 
with  that  you  have,  wrestle  against  whatever  would 
draw  out  your  minds  from  it;  for  with  that  of  him 
must  you  make  war  against  whatever  is  contrary 
thereto.  And  as  you  are  faithful  to  abide  therein, 
you  will  feel  every  high  thing  fall  before  you;  for  that 
which  cleanseth  the  vessel  of  all  corrupt  things,  is 
your  weapon,  and  that  which  springs  up  in  a  contrary 
nature  to  the  corrupt,  is  your  life;  the  beholding 
whereof,  as  it  ariseth,  and  keeping  your  eye  constant 
in  the  faith  and  hope  of  attaining  to  his  fulness,  will 
make  your  work  the  work  of  love,  your  obedience 
delightful,  and  all  your  sufferings  easy,  and  your  loss 


(  651  ) 


ot  your  former  glory  will,  in  that  eye,  appear  grear 
gain.  And  this  is  your  acceptable  service,  and  that 
taith  which  works  by  love,  which  avails  much  with 
God,  and  being  followed,  overcomes  the  world,  and 
sets  free  from  it  in  all  things. 

So^with  the  light^mind  to  be  led  down  into  that  liffr 
that  is  not  of  this  world ;  come  to  him  that  seeks  not 
himself,  who  hath  not  his  rest  in  things  on  earth,  who 
is  rejected  of  men,  denied  of  his  own  kindred,  and  for- 
saken of  all;  and  as  yon  come  to  him,  you  will  come 
to  be  proved,  whether  you  can  forego  all  these  for  him 
alone,  and  that  he  may  make  his  appearance  in  you, 
and  cover  you  with  himself,  his  contempt  and  reproach, 
and  his  patient  power  to  bear  all ;  for  it's  he  that  can 
bear  ail  things,  that  shall  never  be  moved  ;  and  he  that 
thus  overcomes,  shail  know  the  white  stone,  and  that 
rock  which  breaks  the  nations,  but  builds  the  house  of 
God. 

But  in  all  your  journey  take  heed  of  the  adulterous 
mind, for  it  secretly  devoureth  the  precious  life:  where- 
fore  lake  heed  of  that  which  looketh  out,  give  not  way 
to  that  eye  not  for  a  moment;  for  if  you  consent  to  it 
upon  any  pretence  whatsoever,  you  enter  into  a  cove- 
nant therewith  against  the  holy  seed,  to  destroy  the 
chaste  mind ;  but  whether  it  be  rough  or  smooth,  yet 
hold  it  as  an  enemy;  and  that  which  if  it  get  in  by 
Qonsent,  must  be  got  out  by  suffering  double  to  the  de- 
light it  brings  with  it:  but  if  as  an  enemy  you  with- 
stand it,  by  constant  and  patient  resistings,  it  will  fly, 
and  grow  weaker  upon  every  assault,  and  he  thatgiv- 
eth  you  virtory  will  grow  more  in  your  esteem  and 
delight. 

Wherefore  think  it  not  strange  (so  long  as  any  of 
the  old  leaven  is  within,  unpurged  out)  that  the  nearer 
you  draw  to  God  in  the  lowly  suffering  meekness,  the 
deeper  you  sink  into  tribulation,  and  your  sufferings 
increase  upon  the  fleshly  part,  for  that  is  the  sons  way 
to  perfection;  and  the  wondrous  works  of  the  father 
are  learned  in  the  deep ;  for  by  the  hand  of  God  upon 
you  (being  faithful  in  sufl'ering  to  the  end)  shall  you 


see  the  qld  foundation  of  the  world,  the  root  and  oft- 
spring  of  all  wickedness,  how  it  came  to  be  laid,  and 
how  the  lamb  was  slain,  and  what  he  is;  and  the  foun- 
dation of  God  shall  you  see  and  feel,  upon  which  the 
saints  were  raised  up,  and  built  in  the  spirit;  and  how 
all  the  chaff,  hay  and  stubble  comes  to  be  cleansed 
off,  for  his  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  the  words  of  his 
mouth  are  a  consuming  fire  to  that  nature,  which  refi- 
neth  the  gold  and  quickeneth  the  soul,  and  divideth 
the  clean  from  the  unclean.  And  the  nearer  you  draw 
to  God,  the  nearer  will  he  draw  to  you  in  righteousness 
and  judgment,  and  truth,  to  make  an  end  of  sin,  and 
bring  in  everlasting  righteousness,  and  to  establish  you 
in  his  inheritance,  who  appear  in  his  temple  through 
the  refiners  fire  and  fullers  soap,  the  end  of  all  suffer- 
ings, and  entrance  into  everlasting  joy,  purity  and 
peace,  and  weight  of  eternal  glory,  to  which  there  is 
no  other  way  but  through  affliction. 

But  as  you  come  down  to  the  foundation  of  God, 
watch  with  all  fear  and  diligence,  that  nothing  exalt 
you,  or  lift  you  up  in  mind,  conceit  or  comprehension, 
above  that  foundation  you  are  buijded  upon;  for  many 
temptations  of  haste,  vvill  present  themselves  with 
fears  and  distrust,  to  get  you  from  off  the  foundation 
of  life:  but  if  you  keep  lowly,  stedfast  and  faithful 
thereto,  by  it  you  shall  be  raised  out  of  the  pit,  and 
set  above  the  earth.  And  for  that  end  it  is  laid  with- 
in you,  that  in  spirit  you  may  be  built  thereon  in  order 
like  the  corner-stone,  a  new  man,  not  the  same  that 
goes  down;  and  none  knoweth  the  way  of  his  rising, 
but  as  he  keepeth  to  the  foundation,  and  mindeth  the 
head  of  the  corner,  which  as  you  diligently  mind,  you 
shall  know  the  sure  foundations  of  the  holy  city,  even 
from  the  word  of  the  beginning  of  Christ,  as  you  grow 
to  perfection,  not  laying  again  the  foundation  of  repen- 
tance, and  of  faith  towards  God,  the  doctrines  of  bap- 
tisms, of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  of  eternal 
judgment. 

And  as  with  the  foundation  of  life  and  power  you 
come  to  be  edified,  you  will  be  led  out  of  the  domin- 


(  653  ) 


onsof  death,  where  you  shall  learn  wherein  it  hath 
its  power,  and  by  what  it  reigns,  and  how  it  captivates 
the  seed,  and  how  its  bonds  are  broken,  and  with  what 
;ie  is  taken  and  chained,  who  hath  the  power  of  death ; 
md  so  come  to  see  what  binds  and  what  looses,  kills 
^nd  makes  alive;  the  life  "of  the  law,  the  life  of  the 
orophets,  and  the  life  of  the  apostles,  as  they  passed 
(cfore  you,  will  you  come  to  know,  their  inheritance 
therein  to  possess,  and  with  them  in  spirit  have  fel- 
lowship, as  they  passed  the  time  of  their  pilgrimage 
here,  that  to  the  life  of  Christ  they  come,  for  the  fulfill- 
mg  of  the  word  of  God,  which  endureth  from  genera- 
tion to  generation;  this  being  the  end  of  all  the  travils 
of  the  souls  of  righteous  men  and  women  here  below, 
that  they  might  attain  the  fulfilling  thereof,  and  so  re- 
turn in  peace  to  him  that  made  them,  cloathed  on  with 
their  heavenly  house,  for  which  prize  they  counted  all 
things  loss  here  below,  casting  off  the  earthly  pleas- 
ures, and  killing  every  affection  thereto,  estranged 
therefrom  in  all  their  walking  whilst  they  are  here, 
knowing  that  the  love  to  the  earthly  things  is  the  ene- 
my to  their  spiritual  ascending,  and  that  the  earthly 
adulterous  spirit  daily  hunts  to  devour  the  precious 
life,  and  to  keep  the  soul  in  things  below,  presenting 
daily  its  carnal  delights,  and  opening  the  paths  of  the 
destroyer,  with  pleasures  to  the  carnal  eye,  which 
whosoever  joins  to,  cannot  ascend  into  the  Heavenly 
inheritance,  but  with  the  dark  world  daily  go  down- 
ward, who  are  degenerated  from  the  life  of  God,  and 
estranged  from  it  even  from  the  womb:  so  that  they  in 
that  state  are  never  able  to  attain  the  knowledge  of 
God,  nor  in  truth  and  righteousness  to  call  him  father, 
I  nor  to  say  they  came  out  from  him,  nor  ever  to  him  can 
return ;  this  they  being  willingly  ignorant  of,  that  as  no 
man  hath  ascended  up  to  heaven,  but  he  that  came 
■  down  from  heaven,  so  no  more  shall  any  man  so  as- 
'  cend,  but  he  who  is  born,  not  of  the  corruptible  seed, 
nor  begotten  but  by  the  word  of  God,  which  liveth  and 
abideth  forever. 


(   654  ) 


But  with  you  it  is  not  so,  who  feel  the  haveiily  mo- 
tion, drawing  your  minds  out  of  all  earthly  delights, 
the  taste  of  the  heavenly  life  overcoming  the  earthly 
myour  affections;  so  that  to  the  world  you  die  daily; 
you  feel  something  quickened  in  you,  that  cannot  feed 
on  earthly  pleasures,  but  hungers  after  righteousness, 
and  sees  a  beauty  in  holiness,  and  thirsts  daily  after 
the  heavenly  virtue.    So  to  that  sink^  down^  into  its 
likeness,  which  is  yet  in  suffering,  and  hunger,  and 
suffer  with  it,  and  join  to  it  in  all  its  counsel;  so  that 
in  it  you  may  be  raised;  for  that  is  it  which  is  on  the 
foundation  of  God,  and  coming  to  him  as  a  living 
stone,  you  will  be  built  on  the  same  foundation,  the 
same  spirit  being  your  head,  by  whose  arising  all  the 
vails  will  be  done  away,  the  vail  of  death,  the  vail  of 
the  law  and  prophets,  and  the  whole  mystery  of  god- 
liness will  be  unsealed,  and  the  way  to  Heaven  open- 
ed by  him,  even  the  slain  Lamb,  who  hath  his  power 
from  the  midst  of  the  throne  of  God,  even  for  you,  if 
you  join  to  him  in  his  sufferings  and  ascendings,  who 
maketh  the  way  betwixt  Heaven  and  earth,  and  keep- 
eth  it  open  in  all  them  who  nund  him,  therewith  lo 
possess  the  vessel  in  holiness  and  fear  towards  God; 
so  that  nothing  shall  hinder  your  prayers  from  coming 
to  the  throne  of  God,  nor  the  dew  and  blessing  of 
Heaven  from  falling  upon  the  seed.    And  here  is 
Heaven  opened,  and  the  way  of  grace  and  salvation, 
for  the  wayfaring  man  here  on  earth  to  walk  in;  in 
which  if  you  wholly  exercise  your  minds,  you  shall 
not  err,  nor  shall  any  thing  be  able  to  hinder  you  from 
receiving  gifts  from  the  father,  so  long  as  nothing  of  a 
contrary  nature  stops  his  own  from  arising  to  him  in 
praises,  and  you  with  it. 

So  let  nothing  cut  off  your  communion  with  God  in 
that  measure  you  already  have  received,  but  let  the 
breathings  of  your  souls  and  your  hearts  be  continu- 
ally open  towards  him,  and  therein  you  shall  not  only 
receive,  but  become  faithful  improvers  of  what  you 
have,  by  the  blessing  that  is  in  the  covenant,  that  is 
with  all  that  love  him  that  dwell  in  the  light:  for  where 


(   655  ) 


the  conversation  is  in  Heaven,  there  the  earth  be^ 
conies  fruitful. 

Wherefore  give  all  diligence,  that  nothing  entangle 
your  affections  here  below,  or  stop  your  heavenly 
mind  from  its  constant  ascending;  for  that  which 
would  is  the  spirit  of  bondage  which  hath  got  power, 
by  letting  some  carnal  thing  in  upon  you,  to  press  you 
down:  which  spirit  waits  upon  you  continually,  to  op- 
pose the  heavenly  life,  and  get  above  it  in  your  minds, 
and  so  as  a  weight  beset  you  in  your  way,  lest  that 
which  comes  from  Heaven  should  have  free  passage 
through  a  clear  vessel  to  heavenly  seed,  free  from 
cares,  cumbrances  and  earthly  pleasures,  and  from 
earth  to  the  Heavens;  for  it's  he  that  comes  from 
above,  which  declareth  to  man  his  way  aj^(^his  wants, 
presents  his  prayers,  and  receives  the  answer;  and  by 
him  alone  doth  God  work  all  his  works  in  you,  and 
for  you,  in  Heaven  and  in  earth.  Now  if  you  join  to 
another,  and  give  your  strength  of  heart  and  mind  to 
his  enemy,  then  the  work  of  God  ceases,  the  way  be- 
ing stopped ;  for  the  adulterer,  the  covetous,  the  idola- 
ter, the  wanton,  the  slothful,  or  whatever  of  that  na- 
ture you  join  to,  your  consent  giveth  him  strength  to 
stop  the  way  of  life:  and  this  is  your  condemnation, 
witnessed  with  the  light;  and  herein  had  death  its 
power  at  the  first,  which  can  be  no  head,  but  where  he 
is  hearkened  to,  let  in  or  obeyed  (but  being  resisted, 
flies)  but  being  let  in,  he  seateth  himself  in  the  heav- 
enly place,  with  much  policy  and  power,  and  is  not 
easily  got  out,  nor  seen  to  be  what  he  is.  So  when 
you  feel  your  way  darkened,  or  affections  grow  cold 
towards  Heaven,  then  take  heed  with  all  diligence  in 
the  pure  light  to  search,  for  your  enemy  hath  got  some 
entrance,  which  by  faithful  and  patient  waiting  in  the 
light  you  will  come  to  see,  and  through  the  power  of 
the  cross  to  kill  that  life,  and  cast  out  that  in  which  it 
was  conceived,  for  that  must  not  abide  in  the  house 
with  him,  that  is  heir  of  the  heavenly  inheritance,  but 
is  an  enemy  to  his  coming ;  for  it  is  he  that  letteth,  till 
he  be  taken  out  of  the  way.  which  while  he  is  in  the 


(   656  ) 

way,  dulls  the  affections,  and  clogs  the  heavenly  miud 
that  it  cannot  ascend.  Wherefore  that  which  you 
liave  received  of  the  holy  one,  his  unction,  hold  fast 
till  he  come,  and  with  it  stand  arnned  against  whatever 
would  enter,  to  lead  out  to  any  outward  observations; 
but  with  all  diligence  observe  that  which  you  have  of 
his  in  spirit,  which  the  adversary  seeks  so  much  to 
draw  you  forth  from,  lest  you  should  increase  your 
Lord's  money,  and  herein  you  maintain  your  daily 
watch,  and  war  with  that  you  have  of  life  and  power, 
and  not  with  that  you  have  not:  so  are  you  faithful 
stewards,  and  are  accepted  in  what  you  have,  and  not 
in  what  you  have  not;  for  the  world  is  in  darkness, 
and  so  wait  for  they  know  not  what,  and  have  no 
ground  for^jj^ir  faith,  nor  power  to  prepare  his  way 
to  his  coming,  further  than  words  of  others,  or  their 
own  conceivings,  but  are  not  in  him  that  is  true;  but 
you  are  in  him  that  is  true,  who  have  his  light  receiv- 
ed, and  are  in  it  to  observe  his  appearance  in  all 
things;  and  the  messenger  of  his  covenant  you  know, 
who  goeth  before  his  face  to  prepare  his  way,  turning 
your  hearts  from  every  evil  way,  and  out  of  the  paths 
of  the  destroyer,  that  you  may  be  faithful  upon  earth, 
that  so  he  may  receive  you  into  himself,  when  he  Com- 
eth to  smite  the  earth  with  a  curse,  which  that  which 
brings  forth  briars  and  thorns  is  nigh  unto,  whose  seed 
is  not  of  himself,  his  root  and  offspring,  but  is  begot  in 
the  adulterous  mind. 

For  the  mind  feeding  from  without  upon  any  knowl- 
edge, form,  or  observation  [but  what  the  life  leads  to 
in  spirit  and  power]  is  the  ground  of  the  mystery  of 
iniquity,  and  the  woman  of  witchcraft,  which  hunteth 
for  the  precious  life  of  the  holy  child,  seeking  to  draw 
your  strength  of  affections  from  him  afther  the  harlot, 
that  so  he  may  fall  and  die  daily  in  your  hearts  and 
affections,  while  the  lust  goes  out  to  another,  covered 
with  some  fair  pretence,  whereby  the  worldly  spirit 
gathers  strength  daily,  as  you  shall  feel  who  are 
watchful  and  diligent  in  the  spiritual  war,  so  shall  that 
truth  appear  to  you;  that  as  your  love  waxeth  cold. 


(   657  ) 


SO  will  iniquity  abound,  with  an  unresistible  power 
whatever  you  think  to  the  contrary,  which  is  not  in 
the  life;  or  whatever  you  believe  without  that  faith 
which  works  by  love  to  the  life  of  truth:  so  let  your 
wrestling  be  into  the  power  and  life  of  God,  and  there- 
on feed,  and  your  life  shall  endure  forever,  and  your  ' 
strength  and  virtue  shall  be  daily  renewed.  But  you 
read  of  some  who  had  the  form  of  knowledge,  and  of 
the  truth,  but  being  out  of  the  life  of  truth,  held  the 
truth  in  unrighteousness;  and  such  when  they  knew 
God  did  not  glorify  him  as  God  in  life:  so  he  gave  them 
up,  who  became  vain  in  their  imaginations,  who  re- 
tained not  the  life  in  the  knowledge,  turned  the  truth 
of  God  into  a  lie:  so  that  knowledge  could  not  keep 
them  from  being  filled  with  unrighteousness,  which 
stood  not  in  the  life  and  power  of  righteousness,  and 
who  received  not  that  truth  in  that  faith  which  loves 
to  live  the  life  of  it. 

Wherefore  let  your  food  be  in  the  life  of  what  you 
know,  and  in  the  power  of  obedience  rejoice,  and  not 
in  what  you  know,  but  cannot  live,  for  the  life  is  the 
bread  of  your  souls,  which  crucifies  the  flesh,  and 
confounds  that  which  runs  before  the  cross.  So  let 
your  labour  and  diligence  be  in  that  which  presseth 
into  the  heavenly  being,  and  seeketh  a  conformity  to 
Christ  in  obedience  of  what  you  believe,  and  hearken 
}  in  love  to  that,  not  in  that  mind  which  would  save 
your  own  lives,  nor  feed  you  where  you  are;  but  in 
love  to  that  which  separateth  you  from  self-life,  and 
changeth  you  into  his  life  whom  you  wait  for  from 
above;  so  in  receiving  his  commands  in  that  which 
loves  to  be  like  him  in  life,  your  faith  works  by  love, 
and  his  commands  are  joyous  through  love:  that  faith 
worketh  obedience,  quickness  and  willingness,  it  work- 
eth  out  the  old,  and  worketh  into  the  new ;  and  so 
through  the  hope  of  that  which  you  love,  and  obedi- 
ence of  faith,  the  entrance  is  made  with  the  life,  into 
the  holy  kingdom,  and  the  immortal  glory  is  put  on, 
which  in  the  light  is  seen,  and  in  the  life  is  obtained, 
s  with  the  word  of  faith  the  separation  is  made,  and 

83 


(   658  ) 

the  tirst  inrth  put  off,  whose  life  is  vvithot  the  vaii,aryd 
is  for  death,  with  that  life  who  makes  the  entrance 
through  his  hlood,  and  through  Iiis  flesh,  a  living  way, 
a  way  of  life,  a  new  way  to  all  who  are  seeking  the 
door  in  old  ordinances  and  traditions,  and  outward 
observations,  feeding  their  ininds  'Mth  thinking  or 
talking  of  what  others  did  long  since,  or  what  may  he 
done  in  limes  to  come,  and  so  are  in  times,  but  out  of 
that  life  which  endures  forever,  and  onlj  hath  the 
promise  of  the  father,  and  power  to  make  the  entrance 
to  him,  from  w  liom  all  the  world  are  driven,  who  arc 
in  the  lust,  and  in  that  nature  which  loves  itself,  and 
worketh  iniquity;  yet  wearying  themselves  to  find 
the  door,  without  the  light  of  that  life  which  is  not  of 
this  world. 

And  as  you  mind  only  to  feed  on  the  plant  of  life, 
you  will  come  to  know  the  work  of  the  father  in  his 
vineyard,  and  who  tiie  faithful  labourer  is,  and  what 
must  be  his  work  ;  and  the  slothful  servant,  and  what 
his  work  bringeth  forth;  and  the  cause  why  the  field 
of  the  sluggard  is  overgrown  with  evil  fruits,  and  why 
his  vine  bringeth  not  fruit  to  perfection.  For  you  will 
find  many  plants  besides  the  tree  of  life,  all  which 
seek  to  be  fed  and  strengthened  in  the  mind  and  affec- 
tions, and  many  grown  trees  tall  and  strong,  which 
Jiave  got  fast  rooting,  spread  and  bring  forth  abun- 
dantly after  their  several  kinds;  and  all  these  present 
themselves  to  the  eye  of  the  mind,  to  be  fed  from 
thence,  which  is  as  the  feet  fetching  food  from  far, 
without  which  they  cannot  live  long,  but  must  pine 
away  and  fall,  as  they  die  in  the  affections,  and  as  the 
mind  is  withdrawn  from  such  objects  as  they  are  fed 
withal.  So  the  vi.ork  of  him  that  isTafthful  is  to  num- 
ber these  to  the  axe,  and  to  tiie  fire,  and  not  to  suffer 
these  any  place  in  the  mind,  how  strongly  soever  they 
tempt,  and  try  every  way  to  spread  root  to  keep  life; 
that  so  through  the  death  of  these,  the  vine  may  grow 
alone  in  the  clean  affections,  and  holy  mind,  and  hon- 
est chaste  heart,  which  is  the  good  ground,  and  where 
the  pure  plant  will  bring  forth  of  itself  in  all,  where  it 


^  K5  not  cumbered  with  that  which  is  contrary  to  it  ; 
which  contrjiry  fruits  all  that  mind  the  light  may  see: 
but  the  sluggard  not  being  diligent  to  dig  up  the  root, 
as  well  as  to  condemn  the  fruit,  therefore  they  are- 
daily  growing,  and  the  good  ground  is  cumbered  with 
them;  and  such  know  what  they  should  do,  but  are 
not  able  to  abide  therein,  their  life  being  lost  in  the 
midst  of  this  wilderness,  and  overgrown  with  wild 
plants. 

But  you  being  diligent  in  your  watch,  you  will  see 
that  the  cause  of  all  your  troubles  and  confusion  (when 
you  come  to  the  true  labour  mdeed)  is  not  for  nothing; 
for  you  will  find  many  plants  of  several  kinds  [for  the 
world  is  in  :[,e  heart  of  man,  and  the  heart  in  the  earth, 
as  he  is  driven  out  from  God.]  And  every  Tiind  hath 
its  several  life,  which  lives  have  their  several  feedings, 
all  which  you  may  feel  in  the  light,  by  their  temptings 
to  lead  out  your  minds;  and  though  they  are  of  seve- 
ral motions,  and  live  upon  several  objects,  yet  the 
least  of  them  bemg  fed  by  consent  in  your  mind,  will 
overrun  the  vine,  and  in  time  bury  it,  by  growing  up  in 
you  affections:  wherefore  all  must  come  down,  that 
truth  aione  may  rise  in  your  affe  ctions,  and  the  w^ord 
of  life  have  place  in  your  hearts,  who  is  purer  than  to 
dwell  in  the  adulterous  mind,  and  whose  eye  cannot 
behold  iniquity,  who  hath  no  communion  w  ith  dark- 
ness, nor  fellowship  where  any  idol  stands  in  the  tem- 
ple. 

So  this  is  your  faith  in  your  labour,  even  that  which 
overcomes  the  world,  and  suffereth  nothing  thereof  to 
take  place  in  your  minds,  but  with  the  spirit  of  life  to 
watch,  and  wrestle  against  every  lust,  and  kill  every 
affection  that  wcmkl.,  go  out  for  food ;  for  whatever  goes 
out,  betrays  the  innocent;  and  every  pleasure  of  the 
flesh,  as  a  canker,  doth  eat  out  the  life  of  the  holy  and 
:  just  one;  but  by  faith  the  just  lives;  and  in  faithful- 
ness doth  he  judge,  and  make  war  against  all  his  ene- 
mies, in  everyone  who  are  exercised  therewith. 

And  in  this  work  mind  what  you  follow  ;  follow  noth- 
mg  rashly,  but  prove  all  things  with  the,  fire  ;  and  that 


{   680  ) 


which  will  not  endure  the  temptation,  and  bear  the 
corss,  is  the  adulteress  who  will  look  out  every  way 
for  ease;  and  ihe  serpent  will  present  many  likely 
ways  to  her  under  fair  pretences,  which  she  that  would 
Jive  at  ease,  will  hastily  hearken  to;  and  if  you  hear- 
ken to  her,  you  will  betray  the  work  of  life,  which  is 
bringing  forth  in  hard  travail  and  labour,  which  is  slain 
in  the  birth,  where  ease  and  sloth  is  consented  to;  and 
with  living  at  ease  and  pleasure,  hath  the  life  been 
slain  from  the  beginning  of  the  world,  and  hath  been 
kept  under  by  her  sorceries,  who  fares  deliciously  upon 
earth;  and  by  consenting  to  her  pleasures  hath  the 
election  been  lost,  and  covered  with  the  seed  of  wick- 
edness, wjiich  God  hates,  which  wars  after  the  flesh, 
and  lusts  after  the  flesh,  to  strenghthen  in  self  above 
the  holy  spiritual  seed ;  but  minding  to  make  that  sure 
to  you  which  calls  in  your  mind,  and  being  obedient 
thereto,  it  will  lead  down  by  the  power  of  the  cross, 
through  that  wdiich  is  above,  to  the  feeling  of  the  elec- 
tion ;  and  a  separation  being  made  betwixt  that  which 
God  choseth  in  his  working  power,  and  what  he  con- 
demneth,  you  will  come  therbey  to  know  to  what  to 
join, and  from  what  to  withdraw, that  you  may  be  work- 
ers together  with  him,  and  not  against  him,  which  the 
subtle  one  will  lead  you  to  do,  till  with  the  light  the 
separation  be  made;  and  so  joining  to  it  faith  and 
obedience,  the  election  will  arise,  and  by  diligence 
thereto  it  will  be  made  sure. 

And  once  feeling  the  innocent  to  move  under  the 
oppressor,  give  yourselves  no  rest  until  the  strong  man 
bow;  for  with  great  plagues  upon  that  nature,  and 
with  a  strong  hand  against  that  will,  must  the  seed  of 
promise  be  redeemed  from  under  his  power,  which  like 
Pharaoh,  if  he  get  but  rest,  will  not  let  Israel  go  from 
under  his  power;  and  if  you  keep  with  the  spirit,  and 
hearken  low,  it  will  let  you  see  what  must  be  the 
plagues  you  must  ponr  upon  him,  till  he  be  brought 
down,  that  a  little  child  may  lead  him,  and  reign  over 
him;  and  he  that  was  oppressed  by  the  beast,  may 
ride  upon  him:  and  as  that  nature  got  head  and 


(  661  ) 


strength  by  having  its  lusts  fulfilled,  so  it  fliust  be  sub- 
dued by  having  its  lusts  famished;  which  if  you  be 
not  faithful  to  the  seed  of  God  herein,  you  sell  your 
birth-right,  and  betray  your  own  redemption,  and  are 
found  deceitful  workers  against  God  and  your  own 
souls. 

Wherefore  run  not  with  that  which  is  in  haste,  but 
lie  down  in  that  which  is  meek,  lowly  and  patient,  that 
which  is  willing  to  wait  the  father's  time,  and  seeks  to 
obtain  by  the  obedience  of  faith,  and  not  in  the  will 
that  would  have  in  its  own  hand;  for  a  nature  there  is 
which  runs  out  for  help,  and  raveneth  abroad  to  be 
satisfied,  which  God  will  famish;  and  this  will  seek  to 
lead  the  mind,  if  it  be  followed,  and  will  hunt  about 
and  murmur  if  it  be  not  satisfied:  this  goeth  about  the 
city,  but  entereth  not;  and  this  must  suffer  hunger, 
and  feel  the  lamb's  wrath,  and  plagues  upon  the  head 
thereof,  what  way  soever  it  turns,  till  it  bow  and  (;ome 
under,  which  it  will  not  till  it  be  pined  with  famine,  and 
wearied  upon  the  mountains  of  prey;  then  shall  the 
Lion  lie  down  with  the  Lamb,  and  the  little  child  lead 
to  rest,  and  no  ravenous  beast  shall  take  his  feeding 
from  him.  But  in  this  work  take  heed  you  be  not  be- 
trayed with  that  spirit,  for  it  is  very  subtle,  to  run  to 
the  one  hand  or  the  other,  either  into  the  eagerness 
and  haste,  which  is  its  first  w^ay  after  convincement;  or 
else,  when  it  gets  not  its  ends  there,  then  into  sloth  and 
idle  carelessness,  and  both  these  keep  it  alive  in 
strength  above  the  seed ;  but  a  straight  way  there  is 
betwixt  these,  in  which  the  seed  ariseth,  which  is  a 
diligent,  watchful,  patient  meekness,  feeling  the  godly 
principle  moving  and  following  it  in  faith  and  obedi- 
ence in  all  things,  without  haste  or  ends,  further  than 
what  is  opened  in  the  life  of  obedience,  constantly 
diligent  least  any  thing  slip  out  of  the  mind,  which  is 
freely  given  either  for  practice  or  teaching;  for  only 
the  diligent  mind  holdeth  the  true  living  treasure;  but 
the  slothful  and  disobedient  are  leaking  vessels. 

So  as  wise  in  the  light,  prove  your  freedom,  from 
'hat  nature  which  is  high,  and  fierce,  and  hasty,  or 


4 


(  662  ) 


any  way  above  the  meekness,  for  therein  stands  you/ 
perfect  redemption,  to  know  that  you  are  not  servants 
to  that  nature;  for  it's  the  same  that  hasteth  into  the 
greediness  after  worldly  things,  and  fears,  and  dis- 
trusts, if  it  hath  not  in  its  sight  and  possession  what 
it  lusts  after;  whicli  being  convinced  of  an  inheri- 
tance in  heaven,  would  have  that  also  in  all  haste  by 
sight;  but  not  through  faith,  patience  and  obedience; 
which  if  it  may  not  obtain  into  its  own  sight,  and  in 
its  own  way  and  time,  it  will  be  ready  to  faint  and 
distrust,  and  this  will  never  strip  himself  of  all,  in 
hopes  of  an  inheritance  it  hath  not  seen;  so  this  is  in 
bondage,  and  not  to  be  heir:  but  the  just  live  by  faith, 
whose  birth  is  free  from  this  world,  and  your  redemp- 
tion for  the  other  into  the  leadings  of  this,  which  will 
bring  to  the  inheritance  of  the  purchased  posses- 
sion. 

Wherefore  prove  your  freedom  in  all  things,  that 
you  may  not  glory  in  vain,  but  in  the  liberty  of  sons; 
do  not  say,  all  things  are  lawful,  all  things  are  pure, 
&c.  And  so  sit  down  and  say,  you  are  redeemed, 
and  have  right  to  all;  but  first  pass  through  all  things, 
one  after  another,  as  the  light  leadetii  you;  and  with 
a  true  measure  see,  if  you  be  from  under  the  power  of 
any;  when  you  have  proved  this  throughout  all  things, 
and  found  your  freedom,  then  may  you  say,  all  things 
are  lawful,  and  know  what  is  expedient,  and  what  ed- 
#  ifies  yourselves  and  others,  and  the  rest  to  reign  over, 
without  bondage  thereto:  and  this  is  the  liberty  of 
the  sons  of  the  new  creation,  born  again,  not  in  bon^ 
dage ;  whose  liberty  is  glorious  above  all  visible  things ; 
and  these  are  the  pure,  to  whom  all  things  are  pure, 
who  have  proved  all  things  with  that  which  is  pure, 
and  hold  fast  only  tliat  which  is  good,  and  the  rest 
are  free  from. 

And  this  ever  mind,  that  whatever  freedom  you  ob- 
tain through  the  sufferings  and  patience  of  Christ  in 
spirit,  you  part  not  with  it  to  please  the  flesh,  but  hold 
it  as  your  everlasting  possession  purchased  for  you, 
not  with  corruptible  things;  so  that  which  is  dearly 


1 


(   663  ) 


uirchased,  iet  not  lightly  go;  but  remember  Israel, 
who  was  redeemed  out  of  Egypt  with  much  hardships, 
and  many  signs  and  sufferings,  but  soon  in  haste  got 
up,  that  which  said,  let  us  return  back  again;  and 
this  grieved  God  above  all:  and  this  you  will  find 
ready  to  rise  upon  every  further  hardship  and  want, 
as  it  was  with  them.  Wherefore  stand  fast  in  that 
which  you  have  proved  to  be  liberty  indeed,  and  by 
no  means  look  back  nor  hanker  to  that  which  is  be- 
hind, to  let  it  overtake  you  again:  remember  Lot's 
wife;  and  the  wrath  of  God  will  ever  be  upon  that 
mind  which  looks  back  into  old  things,  which  are 
judged  in  the  light,  and  led  out  of  with  the  life: 
wherefore  stand  single  in  your  minds  to  follow  nothing 
new  nor  old,  but  what  the  holy  spirit  leads  into;  for 
the  work  is  a  work  you  know  not,  nor  the  way  do  you 
know,  but  as  it  is  learned  in  the  obedience  by  which 
the  soul  is  purified  and  cleared  by  purging  out  the  old 
'  earthly  leaven,  which  hath  darkened  the  temple  of 
God,  and  God's  work  is  not  seen  in  that  nature. 

Wherefore  give  all  diligence  to  the  spirit's  motion 
and  leadings,  what  it  moves  against,  and  what  it 
leads  to;  for  now  will  God  make  all  things  new;  a 
new  creation,  new  heavens,  and  new  earth,  and  new 
heart  and  mind,  and  a  new  law,  a  new  man  to  walk 
therein  with  his  Maker  with  cheerfulness,  as  the  old 
bonds  are  broken  by  the  spirits  leading,  and  to  serve 
in  newness  of  spirit.  And  as  you  mind  the  pure  lead- 
ings of  the  spirit,  and  willingly  follow  and  obey,  you 
will  come  to  know  your  creator  in  the  days  of  your 
youth,  and  how  he  made  the  worlds  by  the  word  of 
his  holiness;  and  how  he  is  your  father,  and  in  what; 
and  how  he  begets  you  again  into  the  heavenly  de- 
lights, who  wiQ£  gone  out  from  him,  and  dr(ive;^into  the 
earth  with  your  hearts  and  affections,  and  so  those 
will  lead  out  still  further  from  God,  if  you  look  into 
them,  but  can  never  come  into  God  again,  but  must 
di€,  and  be  changed  by  the  spirit;  and  the  new  crea- 
ture is  accepted  of  God,  the  new  heart  and  mind,  and 
spirit,  which  is  renewed  after  God,  by  following  of  his 
spirit  who  created  him. 


V  664  ) 


And  this  work  will  be  darkened  to  your  understan- 
ding, if  your  minds  come  not  clear  out  of  the  old,  into 
the  new  :  for  wrath  will  arise,  and  confusion  will  be  to 
that  mind  which  is  double,  and  where  the  eye  is  not 
single,  kept  forward  in  the  belief  of  the  spirit  only, 
but  looks  back  into  the  loss,  and  to  that  which  is  dying 
and  condemned;  there  is  the  smoke  and  darkness  and 
torment,  and  temptations,  being  enticed  back  into  the 
old:  but  if  the  eye  be  single,  the  whole  body  is  full  of 
light,  and  the  faith  ariseth  to  endure  to  the  end  of  the 
world,  and  to  look  to  the  beginning  and  finishing  of 
the  new  work  of  regeneration.  And  standing  single  to 
God  herein,  though  the  world  pass  away  with  thunder- 
ing, earthquakes,  and  a  mighty  noise,  yet  shall  ye  not 
fear  nor  faint,  abiding  in  the  meek,  patient,  and  suffer- 
ing spirit,  and  the  leadings  of  that  which  endureth  all 
things  to  win  Christ:  and  coming  out  of  Babel,  you 
shall  not  fall  with  her,  nor  be  darkened  with  the  smoke 
of  her  torments,  as  all  that  abide  in  her  must,  and  of 
her  plagues  must  partake;  but  the  pure  mind  rejoicetlv 
over  her  in  the  midst  of  all. 


AN  EPISTLE  TO  FRIENDS. 

Dear  friends,  dwell  in  the  pure  power  of  God,  and 
HI  the  undefiled  life  walk  towards  one  another,  and 
feel  one  another  in  harmless  hearts,  and  in  the  bowels 
if  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  judge  all  straightness  in 
yourselves,  rather  than  one  another ;  how  good  a  thing 
is  unity  of  spirit  and  mind  ?    And  how  precious  is  that 
soul  that  seeks  peace  with  self  denial?    God  is  near 
you  who  seeth  all  your  works:  but  evil  th(^ughts  break 
your  peace,  and  grieve  God's  holy  spirit:  but  that  is 
the  child  of  his  love,  and  son  of  his  bosom,  that  seeks 
not  himself,  but  can  lay  down  his  life  for  another;  O 
feel  that  spirit  and  life,  my  dear  friends,  and  wait  for 
his  appearance,  who  is  that  life  in  whom  he  comes 
with  power ;  thy  peace  shall  be  as  a  river  that  is  clear 
and  broad,  which  shall  not  be  dried  up;  but  thou 
shalt  drink  into  eternal  rest,  and  quietness  shall  fill 
thy  dwelling,  and  the  God  of  peace  and  holiness  will 
delight  in  thee,  and  in  the  end  thy  fruit  shall  break 
out,  and  thou  shalt  not  long  be  hid,  but  thy  God  in 
whom  thou  delightest,  shall  cover  thee  with  his  glory, 
and  make  thee  to  shine  in  his  light;  and  the  Lamb 
shall  speak  out  of  his  temple,  and  shall  be  confessed 
to ;  but  the  self-ended  spirit  will  wither,  and  that  which 
lifts  up  itself  will  fall  to  nothing;  and  back-biters, 
and  whisperers,  and  they  which  carry  tales  to  make 
debate,  will  God  thrust  away  far  from  him,  and  the 
meek  shall  enjoy  his  inheritance  alone,  who  hath 
sought  his  praise  from  God,  and  not  from  men:  there- 
fore take  heed  to  your  spirits  in  God's  fear,  and  keep 
the  unity  and  covenant  of  God,  and  grieve  not  God's 
spirit,  nor  provoke  any  to  wrath.    And  again  I  warn 
you  all  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ,  speak  not  evil, 
nor  think  evil  of  brother  or  sister;  for  if  you  do, you 
cannot  be  guiltless  before  God,  nor  stand  before  the 
enemy  in  the  time  of  trial;  for  evil  thoughts  will  eat 
out  your  peace  and  precious  life,  and  devour  your 

84 


(   666  ) 


strength,  and  make  way  for  many  evils  to  enter  and 
prevail  upon  you.  Even  the  Lord  God  of  eternal 
power  preserve  you  ,all,  who  hath  called  you,  and 
given  you  a  name  amongst  the  living;  for  in  him  is 
my  hope  and  confidence  concerning  you  all,  for  the 
adversary  is  near  you;  but  to  him  that  is  true  and 
faithful  I  commit  you  all,  whom  many  of  you  have 
known  from  the  beginning;  and  as  you  dwell  and 
walk  in  his  power  and  life  of  holiness,  love  and  peace, 
God  will  keep  you  from  all  evil,  bear  you,  and  lead 
you  into  growth  and  improvement  of  what  he  hath 
committed  to  you,  and  in  faith  and  peace  you  will  be 
kept  from  running  to  the  hills  to  save  you,  or  for  ma- 
king a  refuge  of  lies;  but  with  the  everlasting  truth 
will  you  all  be  girded  and  armed  with  the  word  of 
life,  against  all  wickedness  of  flesh  and  spirit,  within 
and  without.  And  God  eternal  crucify  the  world  to 
you  all,  and  thoroughly  crucify  you  to  it  in  every  af- 
fection, and  out-going  of  the  mind,  so  that  you  may 
all  witness  him  come  who  is  the  end  of  the  world,  and 
eternal  life,  and  in  him  walk  in  the  singleness  your 
minds  as  free-born  children,  redeemed  into  perfect 
liberty  with  him.  And  dear  friends,  meet  often  to- 
gether, and  so  build  up  yourselves  above  visibles,  that 
you  may  enter  into  peace  and  life  everlasting:  the  day 
of  God  hastes  on  apace,  which  will  try  every  man's 
spirit,  and  every  man's  work,  of  what  nature  it  is, 
and  none  will  be  saved,  but  who  are  of  God ;  and  such 
he  receives  unto  himself,  who  are  builded  up  to  him 
in  that  which  is  from  above:  but  the  wandering  and 
unstable  spirit  he  will  shut  out,  and  punish  with  perdi- 
tion from  his  presence  evermore. 

Wherelore  dearly  beloved  in  my  soul,  above  what 
I  can  write^this  I  lay  upon  every  one  of  you  in  par- 
ticular, and  warn  you,  that  you  prove  and  examine 
yourselves  herein,  what  spirit  you  arc  of,  and  what  is 
your  freedom  herein;  and  note  that  spirit  which  steals 
your  minds  into  earthly  things,  and  wandering 
thoughts,  for  that  is  not  of  God,  but  is  of  this  world, 
and  works  after  the  power  of  the  prince  of  the  air; 


(   667  ) 

and  in  this  spirit  all  have  fellowship  with  the  world, 
and  are  in  the  power  which  works  against  God  and 
the  Lamb;  nor  can  any  in  that  spirit  serve  God,  nor 
have  fellowship  with  him  in  the  light;  for  it  is  carnal 
and  devilish,  and  shut  out  from  God  the  father  of  light, 
and  so  becomes  a  vagabond,  wandering  chaffy  spirit, 
not  capable  of  God's  counsel  nor  service;  nor  can  you 
have  fellowship  with  the  brethren  in  the  light  and 
power  of  truth,  so  long  as  this  reigneth  and  is  follow- 
ed by  you;  and  so  this  must  be  judged  in  every  mo- 
tion of  it, that  it  may  be  subdued  and  put  under  foot, 
lest  you  being  once  enlightened,  become  wandering 
stars  from  God's  presence  forever.  So  be  you  faithful 
to  God  whojudgeth  you,  and  gird  up  the  loins  of  your 
minds,  and  wait  for  stable  heavenly  spirits,  that  you 
may  be  born  thereof,  and  rule  therein  over  yourselves, 
and  so  overcome  the  world,  that  you  may  walk  at  lib- 
erty in  God,  and  in  Christ  Jesus  whom  he  hath  sent, 
and  herein  is  life  eternal,  and  rest  to  your  souls,  what 
ever  befals  you,  and  only  blessed  is  he  that  enters 
thereinto ;  and  it  is  the  faithful  that  enters,  and  in  faith 
and  obedience  is  the  covenant  kept,  which  keeps  quiet 
the  mind,  and  in  perfect  peace  in  all  conditions,  the 
purchased  possession  of  every  redeemed  soul,  through 
the  blood  of  Jesus.  So  God  cover  you  all  with  his 
spirit,  being  baptized  into  death;  and  the  Almighty 
arise  among  you,  and  judge  every  evil  root  in  its  first 
motion,  and  give  you  the  knowledge  of  himself  in 
love,  and  build  you  up  above  all  strife  and  enmity,  and 
fill  you  with  his  grace,  and  season  your  hearts  there- 
with, and  make  himself  your  delight,  and  bless  you 
all,  and  increase  you;  my  dearly  beloved  ones,  to 
whom  bowels  of  dear  love  runneth,  even  unto  the  least 
of  you  all,  in  your  innocent  simple  desires  I  am  on^e 
with  you  all,  beseeching  my  God  for  you  all,  that  not 
one  of  you  that  ever  have  tasted  of  the  call  or  power 
of  God,  may  be  lost,  or  offended,  or  driven  away ;  God 
eternal  build  you  up  into  his  life,  and  give  you  an  in- 
heritance in  him  that  seeks  the  lost,  and  brings  back 
that  which  is  gone  astray.    Dear  friends,  read  me, 


(   668  ) 


hear,  and  feel  my  bowels  towards  all  that  are  tempted, 
or  fallen;  and  treasure  up  mercy  against  the  day  to 
come;  even  as  ye  look  to  be  forgiven,  so  forgive  one 
another  unfeignedly,  and  keep  yourselves  separate 
from  the  world,  and  every  pollution:  O  fear  not  the 
world,  neither  covenant  with  man,  nor  say,  a  confed- 
eracy; but  fear  the  living,  powerful  God  of  Heaven 
and  earth,  who  is  a  sanctuary  to  every  clean  and  faith- 
ful heart ;  and  to  him  I  commit  you  all,  who  is  over 
the  world,  and  worketh  in  you,  to  make  you  eternally 
happy,  that  you  may  be  his  sons  and  daughters  forev- 
er, to  whom  give  thanks  and  praise  for  evermore. 

You  are  often  in  my  remembrance.  J.  N. 

This  epistle  was  given  forth  since  the  foregoing  book,  about  the  5ta 
day  of  the  6th  month,  1660. 


9 


Mis  LAST   TESTIMONY,  SAID  TO  DELIVERED  BY  HIM  ABOUT  TWO 

HOURS  BEFORE  HIS  DEPARTURE  OUT  OF  THIS  LIFE  J  SEVERAL 
FRIENDS  BEING  PRESENT. 

There  is  a  spirit  which  I  feel,  that  delights  to  do  no 
evil,  nor  to  revenge  any  wrong,  but  delights  to  endure 
all  things,  in  hope  to  enjoy  its  own  in  the  end :  Its  hope 
is  to  outlive  all  wrath  and  contention,  and  to  weary  out 
all  exaltation  and  cruelty,  or  whatever  is  of  a  nature 
contrary  to  itself.  It  sees  to  the  end  of  all  tempta- 
tions: as  it  bears  no  evil  in  itself,  so  it  conceives  none 
in  thoughts  to  any  other:  If  it  be  betrayed  it  bears  it; 
for  its  ground  and  spring  is  the  mercies  and  forgiveness 
of  God.  Its  crown  is  meekness,  its  life  is  everlasting 
love  unfeigned,  and  takes  its  kingdom  with  intreaty, 
and  not  with  contention,  and  keeps  it  by  lowliness  of 


(  669  ) 

mind.  In  God  alone  it  can  rejoice,  though  none  else 
re^sard  it,  or  can  own  its  life.  It's  conceived  in  sor- 
row, and  brought  forth  without  any  to  pity  it ;  nor  doth 
it  murmur  at  grief  and  oppression.  It  never  rejoiceth, 
but  through  sufferings;  for  with  the  world's  joy  it  is 
murdered.  I  found  it  alone,  being  forsaken;  I  have 
fellowship  therein,  with  them  who  lived  in  dens,  and 
desolate  places  in  the  earth,  who  through  death  ob- 
tained this  resurrection  and  eternal  holy  life. 

J.  N. 

He  died  in  peace  with  the  Ijord,at  Soam  (or  Home) 
in  Huntingtonshjre,  and  was  buried  at  Kings-Rippon 
in  the  said  county,  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1660. 
about  the  44th  year  of  his  age. 


SEVERAL  EPISTLES  AND  PAPERS 

TO  RUUERS,  PRIESTS  AND  PEOPLE, 

NEVER  BEFORE  PRINTED. 


TO  THEM  OF  THE  INDEPENDENT  SOCIETY, 

Some  grounds  why  I  deny  you  to  be  a  Church  in  Christ,  though  m 
the  times  of  ignorance  I  walked  with  you  in  these  things, 
worshipping  I  knew  not  what. 

Having  received  the  light  of  Christ  by  which  the 
man  of  sin  is  revealed,  with  all  his  deceitful  workings, 
in  teachers  and  people  professing  to  be  like  the  saints 
and  holy  men  of  God  in  words  and  form,  but  deny  the 
life  and  power  thereof;  and  being  by  the  light  com- 
manded from  such  to  turn  away,  in  obedience  thereto 
I  am  moved  to  declare  the  cause  why  I  have  withdrawn 
from  you  for  some  years ;  and  now  am  moved  to  declare 
against  you,  and  your  ground,  power  and  spirit  to  de- 
ny, by  which  you  are  acted  in  ways  contrary  to  Chris' 
the  apostles  and  holy  men  of  God,  as  in  scripture  i 
witnessed,  and  that  in  these  several  particulars. 

1.  Your  being  gathered  into  an  outward  covenant; 
in  a  form  of  words,  whereas  the  believers  were  gath- 
ered into  the  unity  of  faith  by  one  spirit,  into  the  invisi- 
ble covenant  Christ  Jesus,  and  there  they  knew  one 
another  in  spirit,  and  them  received,  and  not  only  in  a 
form  of  words,  nor  did  they  shut  out  any  that  believed 
for  such  things;  and  here  you  are  gathered  in  your  in- 
ventions, and  not  by  me,  saith  the  Lord. 

2.  Your  worshipping  in  the  idols  temple,  builded  for 
idolatry,  and  stands  consecrated  to  that  end  to  this 
day;  out  of  such  the  apostles  called  all  that  believed, 
to  worship  in  temples  made  without  hands,  and  they 


(    671  ) 


•^et  in  other  places,  after  they  were  called  out,  and 
'said  God  did  not  dwell  in  temples  made  with  hands. 

3.  Your  choosing  a  man  to  divine  to  you,  always 
from  a  text  of  another  man's  words,  or  which  he  hath 
not  received  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord,  taking  hire 
for  it,  being  called  master,  and  you  calling  him  master, 
which  both  are  forbidden  by  Christ.  And  here  you 
are  out  of  the  doctrine  and  faith  of  Christ,  which  res- 
pects no  man's  person,  and  amongst  the  heathens  and 
customs  of  the  world. 

4.  Your  sprinkling  infants  upon  the  faith  of  others; 
but  the  saints  baptism  was  upon  their  own  faith;  for 
with  the  heart  they  believed,  and  with  the  tongue  con- 
fessed to  salvation,  and  the  baptism  by  which  they 
were  saved  was  not  the  washing  away  the  filth  of  the 
flesh,  but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  through  the 
resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ. 

5.  Your  leading  people  to  sing  David's  conditions  in 
rhymes  and  metre,  in  the  invention,  and  not  in  spirit: 
and  so  you  join  with  the  world  to  make  songs  of  his 
words,  but  his  condition  you  know  not,  but  are  enemies 
to  it,  where  it  is  witnessed  ;  and  singing  in  words  what 
you  are  not  in  life,  you  are  found  liars,  and  lead  others 
to  lie  also;  but  the  saints  sung  by  their  gifts,  and  not 
other  mens  words,  as  you  do. 

6.  Your  holding  fast  the  form  of  sound  words,  the 
language  of  the  spirit,  always  used  by  the  holy  men  of 
God,  as  the  scriptures  do  witness.  And  here  you  err 
from  the  practice  of  Christ,  and  all  the  holy  men  of 
God,  and  are  with  the  world  in  the  confused  language 
of  Batjel,  yeing  and  youing  one,  and  thouing  another, 
after  your  own  wills  and  passionate  humours,  obser- 
ving times,  places  ^nd  persons  herein;  and  here  is  un- 
sound words,  and  not  after  the  spirit. 

7.  Your  persecuting,  stocking  and  shamefully  en- 
treating the  innocent,  for  coming  into  your  idols  tem- 
ples; yea,  though  they  never  speak  a  word  therein: 
which  none  of  the  church  of  Christ  ever  did,  but  suffer- 
ed the  same  from  the  world.  And  here  are  you  in  the 
wicked  world,  and  out  of  the  saints  practice. 


(  672  ) 


8.  And  many  other  things  I  cannot  own  you  in,  as 
your  hunting,  coursing,  keeping  dogs  for  your  pleasure, 
bowls,  shuflle-board,  or  such  sports  used  by  the  hea- 
then; but  never  by  any  of  the  saints,  for  they  were 
redeemed  from  these  vanities,  and  prayed  that  their 
eyes  might  not  behold  vanities,  and  waited  to  redeem 
the  time  they  had  spent  in  lusts  of  the  flesh.  Also 
your  vain  laughters,  wanton  jestings:  but  they  who 
know  Christ,  know  him  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  ac- 
quainted with  grief;  but  the  wicked  are  as  chaff,  who 
shall  not  stand  in  judgment.  Besides  I  may  instance 
your  backbiting  and  false  accusing  your  brethren, 
slandering  before  others,  for  that  you  never  spoke  to 
the  face.  And  this  is  not  charity  nor  order.  And  the 
whole  thing  you  call  worship,  which  you  perform  eve- 
ry first  day  in  your  idols  temple,  not  one  thing  perform- 
ed by  you,  as  was  by  Christ,  and  those  he  sent, 

9.  Your  limiting  the  holy  one,  no  more  to  speak  to 
his  people  but  by  the  letter,  wdiich  limiting  w^e  deny, 
having  heard  the  voice  of  the  same  living  God  that 
ever  was,  who  spoke  to  Al)raham  and  his  seed,  and 
not  only  I,  but  hundreds  in  the  nation,  in  whom  that 
seed  is  raised  up,  shall  witness  against  you. 

And  while  you  are  in  these  things,  I  cannot  own 
you  to  be  a  church  in  Christ;  nay,  you  are  proved  to 
be  no  christians,  for  they  who  were  called  of  men 
masters,  or  upheld  such  as  were  so  called  for  their 
teachers,  were  no  christians;  who  stood  praying  in 
the  synagogues,  had  the  chief  place  in  the  assemblies, 
whom  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  cried  wo  against,  were 
no  christians,  and  who  hauled  out  of  the  synagogues, 
stocked,  beat  and  imprisoned,  were  no  Christians; 
who  lived  in  sports  and  gaming,  backbiting  and  slan- 
dering, were  no  christians ;  who  had  the  faith  of  Christ 
in  respect  of  persons,  were  not  christians;  for  Christ 
taught  the  way  of  God  truly,  neither  did  he  respect 
any  man's  person.  And  here  you  are  found  out  of 
Christ  and  his  way,  and  according  to  your  works  you 
are  judged,  and  not  after  your  words;  and  by  the  light 
are  you  proved,  who  say  you  are  christians,  and  are 


(  673  ) 

aot,  but  are  such  an  assembly  as  the  envious  Jevvg 
were,  who  acted  these  things  against  christians.  And 
tho'  you  may  say,  that  God  is  your  father,  as  tliey  did, 
yet  your  works  prove  you  to  be  of  another  generation; 
for  whom  you  obey,  his  children  you  are  (he  that 
hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear.)  It  is  the  life  I 
own,  and  not  the  words  only,  for  only  that  differs  from 
hypocrites.  And  here  your  spirit  is  proved  and  tried, 
who  have  a  name,  but  are  dead:  for  that  is  not  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  that  is  found  out  of  the  doctrine  of 
Christ.  And  your  power  I  deny,  with  the  light  you 
are  seen  and  comprehended,  and  with  the  light  con- 
demned, who  are  found  out  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ: 
therefore  i  do  deny  you  in  the  light,  which  is  one  in  all 
your  consciences,  which  will  me  witness  eternally  at 
the  dreadful  day,  when  the  book  of  conscience  is 
opened  [tho' now  seared;]  and  then  you  shall  see  this 
'to  be  truth,  though  now  you  harden  yourselves  against 
it:  but  it  is  that  the  scriptures  may  be  fulfilled  upon 
you,  that  you  may  stumble,  fall  and  be  broken,  as  they 
did  who  acted  such  things  before  you;  and  their 
plagues  you  shall  witness,  whether  you  will  iiear  or 
forbear-  unless  you  repent. 

A  lover  of  your  souls^ 

JAMES  NAYLER. 


SOME  aUERtES  ANNEXED. 

1.  Whether  the  power  of  delivering  up  to  satan 
stands  in  the  power  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  or  in  the 
greater  number  of  voices? 

2.  Whether  it  be  he  that  walks  in  the  spirit  and 
power  of  Christ,  withdrawing  from  him,  that  hath  the 
form,  but  denies  the  power,  or  they  that  have  the 
form,  but  deny  the  power,  casting  out  of  their  syna- 
gogues or  meeting  places ;  whether  of  these  deliver- 
iugs  up,  are  after  the  counsel  of  God.  and  example  of 
the  saints  in  scriptures? 


(  674  ) 


3.  Whether  it  be  he  that  is  found  in  satan's  work^ 
^nd  pleads  for  it,  that  be  to  be  delivered  up  to  satan, 
or  he  fhat  is  found  in  the  work  of  God,  and  denies 
the  work  of  satan? 

4.  Whether  any  who  have  not  the  same  infallible 
spirit  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  judge 
withal,  can  give  any  up  to  satan,or  doth  the  scripture 
warrant  any  such  thing? 

5.  Whether  that  judgment  by  which  any  is  justly 
delivered  up  to  satan,  be  eternal;  yea, or  nay? 

'8.  Whether  assemblies  [tho'  never  so  great,  or  what- 
ever they  pretend]  who  have  not  this  spirit  and  pow- 
er, have  not  cast  out  such  as  Christ  hath  received; 
and  here  the  blind  cast  out  the  children  of  light,  whose 
eyes  Christ  hath  opened? 

7.  And  are  not  these  scriptures,  Isaiah  66.  5.  John 
16.  2,  3,  now  fulfilled  upon  this  generation,  that  acts 
such  things  now,  which  Christ  and  the  prophets  fore- 
told? 


TO  A  CONVINCED  BACKSLIDER. 


Friend  thou  sayest,  that  which  at  first  called  tiiee 
out  of  the  world's  vain  customs  and  worships,  was  a 
net;  and  thou  bids  me,  leave  my  nets  and  follow  thee. 

I  say,  truth  it  is,  that  the  net  of  the  kingdom  hath 
been  cast  into  the  sea,  and  many  have  been  caught  by 
it,  and  upon  trial  some  are  found  fit  for  the  masters 
use,  and  some  are  cast  back  into  the  sea  again.  But 
should  Heave  that  which  called  me  out  of  the  world, 
and  separates  me  daily  from  its  vain  customs,  and 
crucifies  me  thereto,  to  follow  thee  therein,  I  should  be 
unfaithful  to  the  spirit  of  Christ,  deny  my  calling,  and 


(   675  ) 


make  his  cross  [to  me]  of  none  effect;  and  in  joining 
to  that  again  which  he  hath  freed  me  from,  I  should 
deny  my  redemption  and  purchased  possession,  and 
fall  to  that  again  which  I  had  vomited  up:  which  lat- 
ter evil,  the  Lord  hath  showed  me  to  be  more  loath- 
some than  the  first,  in  his  sight. 

And  whereas  thou  sayest,  the  new  creature  cannot 
be  defiled :  then  are  all  the  saints  exhortations  to  per- 
severance, of  none  effect  and  needless,  and  he  that 
stands  need  not  take  heed  least  he  fall. 

Was  not  David,  of  whose  seed  Christ  came,  a  new 
creature,  and  anointed  after  God's  own  heart;  and 
was  not  David  defiled  with  sinning  against  God?  O 
friend,  take  heed  of  such  conceits,  for  it  is  the  voice 
of  presumption,  above  the  fear  of  God  which  should 
keep  the  heart  clean;  and  there  the  vessel  is  defiled 
already:  but  the  true  child  is  preserved  by  daily  fear 
and  obedience,  keeping  on  the  armour  of  light;  and 
by  the  power  of  the  cross,  is  the  spirit  of  the  world 
daily  kept  out,  never  more  to  be  received  nor  bowed 
to,  however  it  be  transformed  ;  and  here  is  faith  to  him 
that  hath  understanding. 

And  though  it  be  true,  that  he  that  abides  in 
Christ  sins  not;  so  it  is  as  true,  that  he  that  goes  forth 
again  into  the  world  is  sure  to  be  defiled:  and  saith 
Christ,  if  a  man  abide  not  in  me,  he  is  cast  forth. — 
Read  and  understand  with  that  which  is  meek  and 
tender,  what  spirit  thou  pleasest,  him  thou  servest. 

And  friend,  thou  should  not  have  condemned  that 
which  at  first  called  thee,  toward  a  kingdom  which  is 
not  of  this  world. 


HIS  EPISTJLES  TO  FRIENDS.^ 


EPISTLE  I, 

TO  FRIENDS  AT  LINCOLN. 

All  friends  about  Lincoln,  in  your  several  measures 
wait,  that  by  the  everlasting  nnmoveable  truth  of  God 
you  may  be  taught  and  guided,  as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus; 
that  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lamb  you  may  walk,  and 
liave  your  conversation  ordered  unreproveable  before 
all  men,  that  the  truth  of  God  be  not  blamed  amongst 
the  wicked  through  your  means,  and  so  the  displeas- 
ure of  God  rest  upon  you:  wherefore  all  take  heed  to 
that  pure  innocent  spirit  by  which  you  are  called: 
that  with  it  you  may  be  kept  clear  out  of  all  forward- 
ness in  the  will  and  eagerness  of  spirit,  by  which  the 
enemy  takes  occasion  to  present  his  false  doctrine,  to 
pervert  your  minds  from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  so  to  exalt  the  selfish  mind  into  the  imagi- 
nations, thereby  to  set  up  the  admiring  of  persons 
and  things  outward  in  the  visible  eye,  whereby  thr 
mind  is  drawn  away  from  the  invisible  power;  anu 
so  the  seed  suffers  by  your  minds  being  captivated 
from  the  simplicity,  and  being  got  into  the  thoughts, 
and  exalted  against  the  knowledge  of  Christ;  so  is 
the  creature  misled  and  betrayed,  which  would  not 
otherwise  be  overcome  of  the  enemy:  so  all  keep  low 
to  him  who  is  not  of  this  world,  whose  kingdom  and 
glory  stands  not  in  visibles,  nor  changeable  things,  but 
in  righteousness,  peace  and  joy  in  that  holy  spirit 
which  you  have  received,  that  in  due  time  you  n  ay  all 
come  therein  to  be  sealed,  even  with  the  same  spirit 
of  promise. 

And  all  take  heed  that  you  be  not  shaken  in  your 
minds  at  the  appearance  of  satan's  wiles  and  tempta- 
tions, who  must  be  revealed  (at  the  brightness  of  the 
Lamb's  appearance)  whose  coming  is  with  many  signs 
and  lying  wonders,  thereby  to  take  away  all  who  are 


(   677  ) 


jot  stayed  in  that  spirit  that  cannot  be  shaken,  noi 
taken  with  his  baits  and  wonders,  but  are  only  taken 
and  affected  vvitli  righteousness,  meekness  and  inno- 
cency ;  such  as  are  there  stayed,  and  love  those  things, 
shall  not  be  moved:  but  the  adulterous  generation, 
whose  minds  are  out  of  the  covenant,  cannot  stand. 
So  to  the  measure  of  the  spirit  of  God  all  take  heed, 
that  you  may  have  the  feelmg  of  the  just  princii)Ie  to 
stay  your  minds  in  this  hour  of  temptation,  and  having 
lone  all,  to  stand;  gird  up  your  loins  and  have  youi 
amps  burning:  and  the  mighty  God  of  power  preserve 
you  all  to  himself  out  of  all  deceit. 

JAMES  NAYLER 

LoodoD,  8th  day,  3d  month,  1635. 


ZPZSTLE  U. 

TO  ALL  FRIENDS  AT  LONDON, 

Dearly  beloved  in  the  father  and  in  the  son,  in  whom 
my  soul  is  knit  in  everlasting  bonds  of  love,  the  streams 
whereof  run  forth  towards  you  in  fervent  prayer  to  my 
father,  and  your  father;  that  you  may  be  all  kept  in 
that  light  and  life  by  which  you  are  called,  and  which 
you  have  received  from  above;  that  with  it  your  minds 
njay  be  all  stayed  in  your  measures,  from  closing  with 
that  out  of  which  your  minds  hath  been  called,  and 
that  you  may  not  be  shaken  in  your  faith  and  stedfast- 
ness  by  any  temptation  that  is,  or  shall  be  suffered  to 
appear  unto  you  for  your  trial;  but  that  you  may  all 
endure  the  trial  in  the  patience,  faith  and  long-suffer- 
ing of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  for  that  end  have  re- 
ceived a  measure  of  him,  that  you  may  thereto  give 


(  678  ) 


Qp  to  be  guided  in  all  assaults,  and  led  through  the 
greatest  darkness,  and  that  none  of  you  make  any 
likeness  in  your  thoughts,  to  follow  them,  seeming  like 
to  make  wise,  or  good  for  food,  which  is  all  done  in 
that  nature  which  is  impatient,  and  stands  not  in  the 
counsel  of  God;  but  that  you  all  stand  in  that  which 
is  not  of  flesh,  armed  against  self,  and  its  seeking, 
which  leads  out  from  the  suffering,  and  betrays  the 
just  in  the  battle  by  taking  flight  to  save  its  life,  atid 
so  loses  the  life  whom  the  vengeance  of  God  will  pur- 
sue to  eternal  destruction,  that  he  may  avenge  his 
seed  upon  the  head  of  the  deceitful  worker,  and  treach- 
erous dealer  gone  out  from  the  life  of  God.  Wherefore 
all  friends  take  heed  to  your  spirits,  and  keep  your  do- 
minion in  the  life  of  Christ;  and  therein  feel  your  au- 
thority over  all  that  would  shake  off  the  yoke,  and 
cannot  joy  in  the  cross:  hearken  not  to  unprofitable 
things,  neither  lend  an  ear  to  the  wicked;  stand  you 
still  armed  in  the  covenant  of  promise,  till  the  myste- 
ry of  iniquity  be  revealed  against  the  workers  thereof; 
for  this  must  be  perfected  for  your  entrance,  that  you 
may  be  proved  in  all  things,  that  your  possession  may 
be  of  faith  alone;  and  being  found  stedfast  in  your 
trials,  you  shall  not  only  save  yourselves,  but  as  eyes 
to  the  blind  shall  you  be  before  your  enemies,  and  your 
good  savour  shall  go  forth  to  the  nations,  and  many 
people  shall  call  you  the  blessed  of  the  Lord,  and 
from  far  shall  the  desire  of  the  nations  come,  and  you 
shall  be  as  when  the  sun  riseth  upon  the  earth,  as 
fruitfulness  in  the  wilderness,  and  as  the  breaking  forth 
of  the  barren  womb,  so  shall  you  be  to  them  that  are 
yet  afar  off,  and  to  them  that  are  near,  rejoicing. — 
Surely  I  see  the  eyes  of  the  beloved  ones  in  the  nation 
turned  towards  you,  and  your  fame  is  spreading*  as  a 
child  of  beauty,  and  hopeful  is  your  appearance  to 
such  as  have  seen  and  heard  of  you,  even  so,  jimen^ 
Let  their  expectation  be  double  fruit  on  your  behalf, 
and  your  reward  in  your  bosom.  J»  N. 

Wakefield  the  9th  day  of  the  4th  month. 


(   679  ) 


EPISTLE  m. 

TO  THE  CHURCHES  OF  CHRIST  IN  THE  NORTH. 

D^ar  friends  and  brethren,  whose  hearts  are  touch- 
ed with  the  love  of  God  and  have  been  awakened  out 
of  the  carelessness  of  the  flesh:  in  that  which  hath 
called  you  abide,  with  your  minds  single  thereto,  that 
the  plant  of  God  you  may  see  springing  above  the 
earth,  wherein  you  may  receive,  as  from  a  lively  ora- 
cle, counsel,  wisdom  and  strength,  every  particular; 
and  the  springs  of  life  open,  whereat  to  drink  as  you 
pass  out  of  the  world ;  and  the  clear  water  of  wash- 
ing you  may  know,  that  so  an  entrance  may  be  minis- 
tered abundantly  to  your  souls,  that  to  the  dominion 
you  may  come,  and  know  what  it  is  to  rule  well,  every 
one  in  his  own  house ;  that  none  of  you  seek  to  know 
as  the  world  doth,  that  to  your  knowledge  may  be 
added  what  ariseth  from  the  life;  so  you  shall  never 
wither,  but  shall  flourish  through  obedience :  take  heed 
to  your  spirits,  that  the  earth  get  not  above,  and  the 
»iind  be  defiled,  for  then  you  lose  your  authority,  and 
darkness  and  death  will  prevail  in  you  above  the 
pure ;  and  so  having  left  the  life,  that  mind  hath  not 
whereon  to  feed  but  what  is  behind;  as  a  pasture 
over  eaten,  so  doth  leanness  overtake  the  soul,  and 
poverty  as  an  armed  man:  and  this  from  the  Lord 
shall  be  the  portion  of  such  as  mind  earthly  things. 
So  in  the  name  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
I  warn  you  all  to  take  heed  to  yourselves,  and  that 
}ou  stir  up  that  which  is  pure,  which  you  have  receiv- 
«d  of  God,  that  you  may  keep  out  of  the  cursed  thing 
that  is  contemptible,  that  no  ill  savour  be  sent  out  to 
trouble  the  minds  of  God's  flock,  whom  he  hath  called 
to  purity  and  peace;  that  as  the  Lord  hath  been  pleas- 
ed to  call  you,  as  a  first  fruit,  and  hath  set  up  his 
standard  amongst  you,  and  your  sound  is  gone  out 
throughout  the  nations,  and  from  thence  hath  he  sent 
out  his  messengers  to  them  that  are  afar  ofi*;  so  that 
your  growth  may  appear,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lor4 


4 


(   680  ) 


may  be  your  reward,  and  none  may  step  in  before  you 
and  take  your  crown.  So  keep  your  garments  un- 
spotted in  the  presence  of  God,  and  before  all  his 
saints;  live  in  peace,  and  love  to  bear  one  another's 
burthen,  and  let  none  please  himself;  and  the  mighty 
God  of  power  preserve  you  spotless  in  your  measures, 
to  his  everlasting  praise,  j^men. 

Written  from  Loodon,  to  the  churches  of  Christ  in  the  north,  by  him 
whose  heart  is  enlarged  towards  you  in  the  Lord.  J.  N. 


xspisTZiZ:  zv. 

FOR  FRIENDS  IN  THE  CITY  OF  YORK. 

Friends  and  brethren,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  stand 
armed  against  all  deceit  and  division,  and  come  down 
-and  feel  after  the  spirit  of  the  Lamb,  to  be  united  in 
that  which  changeth  not  after  the  visibles,  where  the 
knowledge  is  outward,  for  there  is  the  ground  of  sects, 
and  seat  of  exaltation,  which  respecteth  the  person 
who  is  known  in  the  outward  sound,  and  the  same 
puffs  up  for  one,  and  against  another,  and  there  is  the 
simple  despised,  and  the  Lamb  trodden  upon,  and  in- 
nocency  suffers,  and  that  which  should  cover  you  be- 
ing despised  and  slighted,  the  schism  enters,  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Lamb  being  lost,  and  the  still  waters  re- 
fused: wherefore  every  one  mind  to  keep  low  in  tlie 
innocent  principle,  that  in  the  humble  spirit  you  may 
all  worship,  and  bow  before  him  who  is  despised  and 
forgotten,  when  you  are  above  in  the  extremes:  so 
with  meekness  receive  the  voice  of  the  spirit,  as  being 
ingrafted  thereby;  and  that  which  doth  not,  is  seen 
in  the  Lamb's  light  to  be  above,  and  not  in  the  rest 
where  righteousness  and  peace  kisseth  each  other. 
So  dear  friends,  feel  that  spirit  which  is  quick  in  hear- 
ing, peaceable  in  receiving,  and  willing  in  obeying,  for 
that  is  the  spirit  beloved  of  God,  and  all  being  joined 


(  681  ) 


thereto,  the  chords  of  God's  love  so  unite  as  not  to 
be  broken;  and  there  shall  no  disobedient  spirit  hide 
its  head  in  a  formed  power:  so  all  mind  that  which 
suffers,  and  doth  not  resist  nor  seek  itself,  for  that 
shall  forever  reign;  when  the  sanctuary  is  cleansed 
obedience  shall  be  your  life,  meekness  and  innocency 
your  rest;  the  dew  shall  fad  for  your  growth,  butter 
and  honey  shall  you  all  eat  at  the  table  of  the  Lamb, 
that  you  may  grow  wise  in  knowledge,  and  your  sa- 
vour may  be  sweet  among  the  flock  of  the  valleys, 
amongst  whom  you  are  beloved  for  the  father's  sake. 
So  every  one  look  to  that  which  is  low,  and  exalt  that 
which  is  easily  trodden  on;  so  shall  you  make  up  the 
breaches,  and  find  even  paths  to  walk  in,  the  spirit  of 
peace  shall  rest  upon  you,  your  walls  shall  be  salva- 
tion, and  your  gates  praise.  J.  N. 


EPISTIB  V. 

FOR  FRIENDS  TO  WAIT  TO  KNOW  BJIEAD  IN  THEIR  OWN  HOUSES. 
THAT  THEY  MAY  LIVE  THEREBY. 

jp*  Friends  and  brethren,  to  whom  the  eternal  covenant 
of  the  father's  love  hath  been  tendered,  and  his  light 
you  have  received,  in  it  waii  to  have  your  minds  stay- 
ed, and  your  hearts  opened  towards  God,  who  hath 
given  you  the  light,  that  therewith  you  may  all  see 
the  work  of  your  redemption  begun,  and  the  spirit 
working,  and  its  power,  and  you  joined  to  it  in  the 
faith  and  obedience,  whereby  your  souls  may  be  pu- 
rified, and  your  bodies  washed  from  the  dead  works, 
that  the  water  of  life,  and  the  blood  of  the  covenant 

,1  you  may  come  to  be  sensible  of,  and  the  effect  of  it, 

i  j  .and  that  which  is  born  thereof  i^contrarv  to  your  car* 

I  86 


(  682  ) 


nal  wills)  in  the  bidden  understanding;  for  out  of  the 
sight  of  the  world,  and  in  the  faith. of  this,  life  is  seen 
and  felt,  its  joy  and  power  that  carries  the  creatures 
above  the  visibles:  that  with  the  invisible  being  you 
may  have  fellowship  in  the  church  of  saints,  which  is 
in  God  the  ground  of  all  truth  and  true  worship  and 
acceptance,  that  to  the  fountain  you  may  all  corae, 
to  that  bread  which  is  one,  that  none  of  you  have  his 
food  to  seek  abroad ;  but  to  the  rest  of  the  Lord  you 
may  all  come,  unto  the  everlasting  sabbath,  every  one 
to  see  your  mansion;  and  this  know  every  particular, 
thou  art  not  called  to  seek  thy  food  abroad,  and  from 
others,  as  the  heathen  and  the  prodigals  do,  who  are 
out  from  my  father's  house,  who  are  always  wanting 
and  murmuring,  and  complaining,  but  to  partake  of 
his  fulness,  from  his  mouth  who  is  the  feeder  and  ful- 
ness of  all  things,  whose  honor  is,  that  he  be  only 
waited  on,  and  who  delights  in  filling  the  hungry  souls 
with  good  things;  and  for  this  end  hath  he  sent  out 
his  servants  to  cry  and  call  to  all,  to  come  to  him  who 
hath  made  ready  in  abundance,  even  everlasting  rich- 
es; so  all  mind,  that  to  him  alone  you  seek,  and  upon 
him  you  all  wait, that  you  all  may  have  power  over 
your  wills,  and  tliat  contrary  spirit  which  leads  out 
fron)  God,  upon  which  the  curse  and  want  is;  for  this 
I  say,  you  shall  receive  in  this  his  day  according  to 
the  works  done  in  the  body,  and  as  the  working  of  the 
spirit  that  worketh  in  you,  w^liether  of  obedience  or  , 
disobedience,  as  that  spirit  is  whom  you  obey  so  is 
your  reward:  so  shall  all  flesh  be  made  to  justify 
God,  who  worketh  of  his  own  will,  and  in  the  obe- 
dience to  his  own  spirit,  in  all  who  believe  and  wait 
upon  him,  in  light  and  peace:  but  hardness  of  heart, 
and  blindness  of  mind  happens  to  all  whose  eyes  are 
abroad,  out  from  the  covenant  of  his  promise,  and  so 
shall  every  one  receive  at  his  hand,  who  is  no  respec- 
tor  of  persons.    So  all  wait,  with  your  loins  girt,  and 
your  lights  burning,  that  at  his  coming  you  inay  all  be 
found  in  his  work,  every  one  according  as  he  hath 
called  you,  that  with  the  light  you  may  all  know  what 


(  683  ) 


A  is  that  commends  you  to  God,  and  justifies  you  in 
his  sight,  from  that  which  justifies  self  in  your  thoughts, 
but  with  the  light  is  condemned  in  God's  sight;  that 
so  you  may  not  run  in  vain,  but  obtain  that  which 
will  stand  at  that  day;  that  you  may  every  one  in 
particular,  know  that  which  cannot  be  deceived  nor 
overcome,  that  in  the  hour  of  temptation  you  may  re- 
joice, and  through  the  tribulation  you  may  enter  into 
the  kingdom,  and  so  nothing  be  able  to  move  you  in 
the  way,  or  lead  you  aside;  but  as  you  go  along  you 
may  learn  Christ  in  his  sufferings,  and  v^^atchings,  and 
fastings,  and  temptations,  and  steadfastness  and  pa- 
tience, in  faithfulness  and  obedience;  that  as  you 
have  received  Christ,  you  may  be  able  to  walk  in  him, 
and  his  power,  above  all  that  is  behind  you,  and  so 
come  to  know  your  strength,  and  where  it  is:  and  so 
all  come  to  make  proof  of  Christ,  and  his  power  and 
wisdom  in  the  light,  to  see  him  working  in  you  the 
will  and  the  power,  in  the  male  and  in  the  female,  who 
exerciseth  your  hearts  in  innocency  towards  God,  and 
one  towards  another,  and  all  men:  and  this  you  shall 
all  find,  that  as  you  abide  in  your  measures  so  you 
grow  herein,  and  so  come  to  feed  on  the  life,  when 
others,  whose  minds  are  abroad, feed  upon  the  wind; 
which  if  hereto  you  take  heed,  no  leanness  of  soul 
there  shall  be,  nor  darkness  of  mind;  but  the  least 
shall  be  as  David,  when  Jesse's  root  you  come  to 
feed  on. 

Dear  friends,  my  desires  and  prayers,  to  God  for 
you  are,  that  you  may  abound  in  his  knowledge,  which 
is  life  indeed,  and  that  you  may  not  always  be  learn- 
ing, complaining  and  wanting;  but  that  with  the  rest 
of  the  saints,  you  may  be  able  to  declare  his  power 
in  its  life  and  working,  to  the  redemption,  freedom  and 
fulness  thereof,  above  all  created  things.  So  be  dili- 
gent now  the  day  is  come,  that  none  of  you  be  found 
idle,  nor  a  sluggard,  nor  vain  and  light,  nor  busy- 
bodies  in  things  without,  nor  wandering  from  your  hab- 
itations, nor  prodigal  proud  boasters;  but  in  the  work 
of  God  you, may  all  be  found  diligent,  least  the  bonds 


(    684  ) 


Cti  iniquity  prevail  against  you,  and  draw  you  back 
again  into  the  world,  out  of  which  your  hearts  have 
been  turned,  and  so  the  candle  be  put  out,  and  the 
spirit  quenched,  and  so  you  be  left  in  his  power  whose 
work  it  is  to  blind  the  eye,  stop  the  ear,  sear  the  con- 
science, and  your  latter  end  be  worse  than  your  be- 
ginning: wherefore,  in  tenderness  unto  you  all  I  warn 
you,  before  you  be  overtaken;  and  the  mighty  God  of 
power  preserve  you  all  watchful  and  diligent  in  your 
measures^  to  his  praise  who  hath  called  vou. 

JAMES  NAYLER, 


EPISTIiE  VI. 

TO  THL  CALLED  OF  GOD  WHO  BELIEVE  IN  THE  LIGHT  JQ 
WALK  THEREIN. 

Dearly  beloved,  and  children  of  the  living  God  of 
life,  and  servants  of  tlie  Most  High,  and  all  who  love 
the  light  and  appearance  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that 
which  is  rejected  of  men,  and  the  world  cannot  re- 
ceive, but  to  you  is  become  precious  and  beloved;  in 
which  appearance  you  see  the  way  of  death  and  of 
life,  the  will  of  God  and  the  will  of  man,  and  the  ef- 
fects thereof,  by  which  you  are  led  to  count  it  great 
riches  to  deny  yourselves,  and  suffer  the  will  of  him 
that  hath  shewed  this  mercy,  whereby  you  are  turned 
from  the  world's  ways,  and  have  owned  this  light  of 
Christ  to  be  your  guide  out  of  darkness,  and  many  of 
you  have  obtained  mercy,  to  be  faithful  thereto,  and 
have  obtained  a  good  report  through  reproach  with 
your  brethren  of  the  same  household,  that  have  gone 
before  in  the  like  faith,  and  are  found  worthy  to  suffer 


(  685  ) 


with  joy,  what  you  are  called  to  in  your  several 
measures  and  places:  so  in  that  which  you  have  re- 
ceived all  abide,  even  as  he  hath  called  you  with  the 
holy  calling,  that  you  may  feel  his  arm,  and  know 
his  power,  and  in  what  principle  it  worketh,  and  how 
far  his  covenant  reacheth  which  he  hath  willed  for 
salvation,  that  therein  you  may  be  kept  safe  and 
clean,  and  that  you  may  be  found  a  willing  people, 
hearkening  and  diligent  to  answer  his  call,  and 
ooev  in  the  light  wherein  you  have  believed,  that 
the  righteousness  of  faith  you  may  all  come  to  in- 
herii,  wherewith  all  your  nakedness  shall  be  cov- 
ered, with  his  skirts  who  hath  loved  you,  and  there- 
in will  love  you  more,  and  rejoice  to  make  you 
glorious  therein,  even  the  praise  of  the  whole  earth, 
for  his  righteous  names  sake,  wherewith  he  will 
cover  yoij,  and  in  which  he  will  keep  you  out  of  the 
expectation  of  ungodly  men,  who  lie  in  wait  for  your 
slipping.  So  all  be  faithful  herein,  which  is  your 
beauty  and  comeliness,  and  wherein  indeed  God  hath 
made  you  lovely  to  behold  in  your  several  measures 
of  himself:  and  truly  in  this  my  heart  exceedingly 
rejoiceth  in  you,  to  see  that  God  is  preparing  you  for 
himself,  as  with  you  to  provoke  the  nations  to  life ;  yea 
verily,  my  soul  is  bound  up  with  you,  and  my  love  I 
leave  with  you,  in  the  bowels  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that 
therein  you  may  all  live  in  one. 

And  my  prayer  to  the  throne  of  glory  is  for  you, 
that  you  may  all  be  kept  without  blemish,  every  one 
having  salt  in  yourselves,  that  your  savour  may  be 
sweet  through  the  world,  and  that  you  be  not  blem- 
ished through  carelessness  and  coldness,  and  so  death 
get  in  amongst  you,  and  sow  divisions  and  rents 
through  want  of  improving  the  life  of  love.  Where- 
fore be  steadfast  in  the  faith,  every  particular,  and 
arm  yourselves  in  the  light  against  the  whole  world, 
and  the  power  thereof;  yea,  even  that  of  it  which  lies 
in  any  of  your  bosoms,  and  against  that  which  would 
enter  again,  make  no  covenant  therewith,  no,  not  for 
an  hour;  but  the  covenant  of  light  and  life  dwell  in, 


(  686  ) 


and  you  shall  never  be  driven  to  the  earthly  gods  foi 
help,  nor  beg  your  bread  from  any  other  than  he  who 
hath  called  you,  and  given  you  an  eye  to  wait  upon 
him,  that  he  might  fill  you  vi^ith  his  riches. 

So  all  take  heed  you  close  with  nothing  hastily ;  but 
first  ask  counsel  in  the  light,  and  there  stay  and  wait 
for  an  answer ;  but  measure  not  him  a  time  or  way  in 
your  own  thoughts,  for  then  you  tempt  him,  and  you 
cannot  hear  his  voice,  and  the  enemy  thereby  will  seek 
to  harden  your  hearts. 

Meet  often  together  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  therein  mind  to  be  gathered 
into  the  fountain  of  love  and  knowledge,  that  therein 
you  may  love  one  another,  and  from  thence  send  forth 
love  to  all  the  creation,  which  now  in  love  he  is  visit- 
ing. And  herein  shall  you  be  blessed,  and  become 
like  your  father,  heavenly  in  mind,  and  soul,  and  spir- 
it. ^And  having  found  him  thus  in  spirit  and  power, 
dwell  together  with  him  therein,  that  I  may  read  you 
in  one,  who  is  blessed  forever. 

JAMES  NAYLER. 


EFISTZiZ:  VIX. 

TO  FRIENDS,  TO  BE  DILIGENT  IN  MEETINGS. 

Dear  friends  and  brethren,  in  the  uprightness  ot 
your  hearts  walk  before  the  Lord  every  one  in  his 
measure  of  life,  with  the  eye  single  to  him  who  hath 
called  you  out  of  darkness  into  his  presence  who 
dwells  in  the  light.  So  before  his  face  see  you  all 
walk,  with  the  heart  fixed  perfectly  for  him  and  his 
truth  you  have  received,  witnesses  therein,  against  all 


(  687  ) 

the  world's  deceits  of  man's  heart  within  and  without, 
that  innocency  and  meekness  may  preserve  you  in  all 
your  ways  in  the  world,  and  in  the  eternal  unity  a- 
mongst  yourselves  meet  often  together,  and  suffer  a 
word  of  exhortation  one  from  another  in  the  spirit  of 
meekness.  Love  one  another  unfeignedly,  and  know 
one  another  in  that  which  is  pure,  that  therewith  you 
may  be  gathered  out  of  the  world,  up  to  God,  from 

■  whonT  the  gift  comes,  that  every  day  you  may  grow 
nearer  to  him  who  is  your  head,  that,  with  the  living, 
as  you  behold  him.  you  may  keep  death  out  from  pass- 
ing over  you:  so  shall  you  be  kept  sweet  and  cool,  and 
your  pastures  fresh  and  green,  feeding  in  one,  that  you 
all  may  grow  strong  in  one,  and  there  receive  power 
for  the  obedience  of  the  faith  you  have  received:  and 
the  mighty  God  of  power  preserve  you  all  lambs  in 

Jove,  and  unspotted  in  the  world,  till  his  appearing  for 
whom  you  wait,  your  salvation,  but  the  world's  con- 
demnation; for  whose  sake  you  now  suffer,  and  are 
not  ashamed,  the  Lord,  blessed  for  evermore. 

J. 


EPISTrS  VUI. 

CONCERNING   LOVE  AND  JUDGMENT. 

Friends,  he  that  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God,  for 
God  is  love,  and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dvvelleth  in 
God,  and  God  in  him.  Herein  is  love  made  perfect, 
who  are  as  he  is  in  this  world;  here  is  boldness  in 
judgment;  there  is  no  fear  in  this  love,  no  torment  in 
judgment.  But  if  any  man  love  the  world,  or  the  things 
that  are  in  the  world,  the  love  of  the  father  is  not  in 


(   688  ) 


him,  but  the  love  of  the  world:  which  judgment  tor- 
ments ;  for  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lusts  of  the  flesh, 
the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life,  is  not  of  the 
father.  These  are  in  the  world,  and  lie  in  wickedness, 
which  cannot  stand  in  judgment,  who  have  fear  in 
judgment,  who  are  tormented  in  judgment,  whose  life 
is  in  the  world,  in  the  lust,  in  the  pleasure,  in  the  [)ride, 
in  the  excess,  in  the  ease  and  in  the  world's  nature: 
these  are  not  of  God,  whose  love  to  these  things  is 
greater  in  them  than  the  spirit  which  calls  them  out 
of  the  world ;  such  cannot  endure  judgment,  cannot 
stand  in  it  without  torment,  fear  arises,  torjment  arises 
within,  which  makes  them  fly  judgment,  and  cry  out 
against  it;  which  God  loves,  which  the  sons  of  God 
love,  who  are  redeemed  therewith,  who  have  denied 
the  spirit  of  the  world,  which  is  to  be  tormented,  and 
have  received  the  spirit  of  adoption,  through  the  spir- 
it of  judgment,  and  the  spirit  of  burnmg,  and  are  puri- 
fied, and  sanctified,  and  baptized  into  Christ  Jesus, 
and  have  put  off  the  world  in  great  tribulation:  such 
love  judgment,  and  are  able  to  stand  therein,  and  to 
dwell  with  everlasting  burning,  that  which  condemns 
the  wicked,  the  world  and  the  spirit  thereof;  such 
love,  who  love  God,  who  love  his  appearance  in  Jesus 
Christ,  who  is  a  consuming  fire,  which  is  love  ever- 
lasting to  his  own  seed,  not  of  the  world,  nor  the  lust 
thereof;  but  that  which  strikes  at  the  world's  life,  van- 
ity and  glory,  which  cannot  stand  his  appearance, 
whose  day  burns  as  an  oven,  before  whom  the  world's 
glory  and  the  fashion  of  it  passeth  away,  that  he  may 
bring  forth  his  sons  and  daughters  in  another  image 
and  life  which  the  world  loves  not,  but  hath  torment 
in  judgment,  but  the  redeemed  rejoice  therein. 

And  who  is  it  now  that  cries,  away  with  judgment, 
and  who  hath  turned  it  into  wormwood  ?  Such  as  have 
their  life  in  the  world,  whose  delight  is  in  that  which 
will  be  burned,  who  are  for  condemnation,  who  are 
disobedient  to  him  that  calleth  them  out  of  the  world, 
who  deny  the  light  of  the  world,  sent  to  convince  the 
world  of  all  sin, and  lead  into  all  truth;  such  cannot 


(   689  ) 

stand  in  judgment;  what  boldness  can  sirch  have 
therein,*  who  are  condemned  already,  for  unbelief  in 
the  light  and  disobedience  thereto,  fear  and  torment 
must  needs  arise  and  drive  them  away,  and  as  chaff 
must  they  be,  that  the  scripture  may  be  fulfilled. 

And  these  cry  out  for  love,  who  cannot  stand  in 
judgment,  who  stand  in  the  enmity;  who  love  the 
things  of  the  world,  are  in  the  enmity  against  God, 
and  whose  life  is  therein,  what  have  you  to  do  with 
love?  You  must  first  deny  the  enmity,  aud  give  up 
that  life  that  stands  therein,  through  obedience  to  the 
light,  which  is  God's  love  to  the  world,  that  th.rough 
the  cross  of  Christ,  and  by  the  spirit  of  judgment  and 
baptism  of  fire,  all  the  bonds  of  iniquity,  which  keep 
you  in  the  world,  in  tlie  enmity  and  out  of  God,  may 
be  broken,  ajid  you  brought  out  frea,  born  of  that  spirit 
which  the  world  hates  and  condemns,  which  con- 
demns the  world.  And  so  through  death  of  that 
life  which  holds  you  in  the  world,  in  the  enmity,  un- 
der the  law,  under  the  wrath,  you  may  come  to  enjoy 
God,  who  is  love,  whom  without  holiness  none  can  see 
to  their  comfort. 

God's  iove  stands  DOt  in  man's  will,  nor  can  any 
who  stand  in  the  will  of  man  either  give  or  receive  it, 
only  to  those  who  have  no  other  lovers  in  the  world, 
he  gives  himself:  who  so  loves  Christ's  life,  as  to  hate 
their  own,  whose  hearts  can  join  to  nothing  but  what 
is  of  God.  And  this  is  that  true  chastity  and  true 
charity,  which  all  must  learn  with  the  loss  of  the 
world's  gain,  e're  God  be  enjoyed  as  a  husband.  And 
who  hath  obtained  this  treasure  in  his  vessel,  must 
possess  it  in  holiness,  or  lose  it;  he  cannot  let  the  har- 
lot in  and  be  undefiled,  nor  give  it  out  to  the  nature 
which  he  hath  denied  to  obtain  it,  and  not  betray  it 
and  lose  it,  which  is  only  retained  in  holiness  alone. 
So  he  that  dwells  in  the  light  calls  to  all  in  love:  come 
unto  me,  saith  Christ,  and  drink  and  eat  freely:  this 
is  love,  but  do  all  hear?  Do  all  obey?  Do  all  come? 
Do  all  inherit?  Do  all  own  correction?  Are  all  of 
God?  Do  not  many  cast  off  judgments,  and  despise 

87 


(   690  J 

-Reproof?  will  not  bear  the  rod,  and  yet  would  havt 
the  love?  Whom  1  love,  I  rebuke, saith  the  spirit, and 
chasten  every  son  that  1  receive.  This  is  God's  way; 
so  you  who  reject  it,  reject  love, and  not  it  you. 

Ah!  silly  people,  how  are  you  deceived!  Doth  he 
that  sees  you  fast  in  the  world  and  in  the  curse,  where 
you  have  not  power  to  do  well,  as  yourselves  confess, 
but  to  do  evil,  and  comes  and  cries  peace  to  you  there, 
and  sits  down  with  you  in  that  form  or  fellowship, 
doth  he  bring  you  Icve,  or  hath  he  the  love  that  is  of 
God  in  him,  who  flatters  you  iiere?  And  doth  he  who 
hath  the  sword  of  judgment,  and  faithfully  uses  it  to 
part  you  and  the  world  in  which  the  enmity  stands 
against  God,  to  bring  you  out  into  sons  freedom,  doth 
he  hate  you,  or  is  he  your  enemy?  Is  not  this  to  put 
enmity  for  love,  and  love  for  enmity,  as  it  is  at  this 
day  with  all  that  love  the  things  of  the  world,  and  are 
kept  captive  therein,  when  truth  comes  to  pass  upon 
them  where  you  are? 

And  you  say  you  are  come  to  the  son  and  to  free- 
dom, &c.  and  you  are  all  in  love,  as  you  say:  but  when 
judgment  from  God  is  sent  amongst  you,  and  falls  upon 
that  which  is  of  the  world  where  it  finds  you;  then  a 
fire  kindles  amongst  you,  and  you  have  torment,  and 
your  love  leaves  you ;  which  shows  your  love  is  not  of 
God,  which  loves  judgment,  where  mercy  rejoiceth, 
wiiose  love  hath  not  torment  nor  fear. 

Now  the  day  tries  your  sonship,  your  freedom  and 
your  love;  for  judgment  I  am  come  into  the  world, 
saith  the  son:  and  are  you  come  to  him  and  cannot 
stand  therein?  Are  you  frt  e-born  who  are  in  that  na- 
ture whereon  the  fires  kindle?  Is  your  love  that  which 
bears  all  things,  who  are  tormented  in  judgment,  and 
driven  into  heaps  of  confusion  and  fear,  speaking  you 
know  not  what?  Is  this  the  voice  of  sons,  which  cries, 
away  with  judgment?  Is  this  to  receive  correction? 
Is  this  the  son's  freedom,  or  of  his  nature?  Nay,  this 
is  to  kick  against  that  which  pricks  you,  wherein  you 
plainly  show  jou  have  not  learned  your  sonship  of  the 
father,  after  Christ  Jesus;  nor  known  him  formed  ins 


(  691  ) 


you,  who  bears  the  chastisement  of  peace,  but  have 
got  your  knowledge  another  way,  than  in  learning  of 
Christ,  and  your  love  is  not  obtained  through  the  fire, 
with  the  loss  of  all  that  is  to  be  consumed,  which  God 
hates,  nor  are  you  born  of  that  spirit  of  Christ,  to 
whom  all  judgment  is  committed  in  Heaven  and  earth, 
nor  do  you  know  the  key  of  David. 

Now  honestly  search  your  house  with  the  candle 
which  God  hath  lighted,  and  when  you  find  the  truth 
in  your  inward  parts,  then  shall  you  say,  there  is  no 
love  but  in  it;  and  that  the  world's  love  stands  in  that 
which  God  hates,  and  is  a  lie,  and  pierceth  the  soul  of 
all  that  serve  it,  or  let  it  into  their  bosom.  And  for 
this  we  may  not  join  in  your  love,  though  we  love  you, 
in  that  which  is  beloved  of  the  father,  wherem  alone 
we  can  have  boldness  in  the  day  of  judgment,  and  iu 
that  life  alone,  in  which  love  is  made  perfect,  which 
none  can  inherit  further  than  they  become  as  he  is  in 
this  world,  walking  as  he  walked,  dwelling  in  God  who 
is  love  without  end. 


z:fzstz.e  XX. 

TO  SOME  THAT  WERE  BACKSUDDEIV. 

The  child  is  born  who  is  not  of  this  world,  and  ma- 
ny  are  called  to  bear  his  testimony  against  the  world, 
who  are  no  more  of  this  world,  nor  the  spirit  thereof 
will  they  receive,  nor  be  in  bondage  thereto,  who  have 
received  the  spirit  of  freedom,  even  of  the  father  and 
the  son,  in  which  they  are  begotten  out  of  the  world, 
and  the  love  thereof. 

Now  what  are  you  about  to  do,  who  have  been 
called,  and  once  enlightened  to  see  the  vanities  of  the 


(  692  ) 


#or]d,  and  the  evils  of  its  customs  and  fasiiions,  ways 
and  worships,  and  have  been  touched  with  judgment 
for  your  conforming  thereto,  and  now  are  turning  back 
to  settle  and  build  therein,  and  there  to  take  up  your 
rest,  seeking  to  get  a  peace  to  yourselves  in  that  which 
judgment  halh  once  entered  upon  you,  shall  this  your 
building  stand?  Shall  not  your  peace  be  broken?  Ask 
your  own  hearts,  if  they  condemn  you  not  herein,  and 
of  unfaithfulness  to  his  faithful  witness  in  you  ;  I  know 
God  hath  not  left  himself  without  a  witness  in  you  for 
judgment,  which  sometimes  doth  arise,  and  cause  fear 
in  you,  and  lets  you  plainly  see  you  take  not  counsel 
of  his  spirit,  but  of  your  pleasures  and  profits  in  the 
v/orld,  and  by  them  are  you  led,  and  not  by  that  spirit 
which  calls  you  to  bear  his  testimony  against  them. 

And  do  you  see  this  deceitful  dealing  in  your  own 
spirits  towards  Christ,  and  that  your  hearts  are  not 
npright  in  his  testimony  against  the  evil  of  this  world. 
And  will  you  cover  all  this  deceit  with  conceits,  words 
and  notions,  and  seek  to  build  you  a  place  of  peace 
above  all  this?  Will  you  thus  heal  your  hurt  deceit- 
fully and  know  it?  And  shall  this  stand  before  God? 
Shall  not  judgment  arise  in  due  time,  and  your  hurt  ap- 
pear again?  Is  not  this  worse  than  all  your  former 
sins  of  ignorance,  which  you  now  add  knowingly? — 
Ask  your  own  hearts,  if  they  fear  not  the  end  of  this 
dealing  towards  God  and  your  own  souls. 

You  are  seeking  rest,  but  not  in  the  sabbath  of  God, 
but  in  the  world,  you  deny  the  first  days  work,  (to  wit) 
that  which  separates  light  from  darkness.  So  you 
are  far  from  the  sabbath  of  pure  rest;  so  your  rest 
shall  spew  you  out:  it's  unclean,  and  your  building 
shall  fall  upon  your  own  heads.  The  foundation  is 
polluted  and  mixed  with  the  world,  your  garment  shall 
rot ;  it's  defiled  with  the  flesh,  and  all  your  notions 
and  conceits  as  hay  and  stubble  and  chaff,  shall  burn 
in  the  day  when  he  shall  arise  to  judgment,  whom 
you  now  betray  for  the  world,  and  to  get  yourselves 
ease  and  pleasure,  your  ease  shall  slay  you,  and  your 
pleasure  pass  away  with  bitterness  of  soul,  when 


(  693  ) 


your  own  work  shall  set  you  on  fire,  and  all  your  air^' 
notions  and  high  words,  and  all  your  knowledge  you 
have  got  in  that  disobedient  nature,  shall  become  fuel, 
and  all  your  fears  shall  fall  upon  you  to  the  utmost, 
because  you  have  wilfully  made  a  path  for  yourselves 
to  err,  and  sought  to  hide  your  way  from  the  light, 
thereby  to  stop  judgment  in  your  hearts,  and  that 
equity  should  not  enter,  who  have  denied  him  that 
called  you,  and  have  with-holden  your  body  from  him 
that  made  it,  lest  he  should  have  purged  you,  and 
have  drawn  away  your  shoulder  from  his  burthen,  lest 
you  should  have  borne  his  testimony  against  the 
world's  lusts  and  your  own,  who  have  cast  off  his 
yoke,  and  proclaimed  liberty  to  yourselves  in  that 
which  grieves  the  holy  spirit. 

Therefore,  as  you  are  joined  with  the  world  against 
the  judgment  of  the  just,  who  comes  to  restore  all 
things,  so  with  the  world  will  be  your  portion,  when 
the  just  comes  to  judge  the  world,  and  when  all 
comes  to  be  restored  in  the  covenant,  you  who  have 
not  kept  covenant  will  be  cast  out:  then  shall  you 
know,  that  whoever  denies  the  light  is  a  child  of 
darkness,  notwithstanding  now  your  conceits  cover 
you. 

Against  whom  do  you  strengthen  yourselves,  when 
you  say,  we  shall  have  peace,  notwithstanding  the 
witness  in  our  conscience  speak  not  peace?  And 
when  you  call  that  the  spirit  of  bondage,  that  would 
have  you  free  from  the  evil  of  the  world  and  service 
of  sin,  do  not  you  speak  this  against  the  Lord  and 
your  life?  Do  not  you  herein  rise  up  against  the  just 
and  innocent,  and  to  stop  the  mouth  of  him  that  is 
faithful,  that  the  wicked  may  escape  unreproved  and 
live?  Have  you  any  thing  else  that  will  show  you 
your  hearts  deceits?  And  is  he  become  your  enemy, 
because  he  will  not  flatter  you  therein?  Doth  not  he 
speak  peace  freely  to  the  obedient,  though  he  never 
prophecies  good  of  the  world,  in  its  corrupted  ways? 
Shall  you  prosper  who  seek  deep  to  hide  your  sin  from 
his  reproof?  and  will  you  be  found  children  of  the 
day,  who  seek  to  hide  your  ways  from  the  light? 


(   694  ) 


Whose  image  do  you  bear,  who  are  like  the  world, 
except  in  opinion  or  notion?  And  who  can  so  far 
conform  unto  it,  as  to  procure  its  love,  and  escape 
the  cross  which  should  crucify  it  to  you?  Are  you 
like  Christ,  because  you  profess  him,  when  you  crucify 
every  appearance  of  him  to  yourselves  afresh?  Will 
you  boast  in  the  saints  lines  to  make  you  a  cover, 
whilst  that  lies  crucified  in  you  which  should  lead  to 
their  lives?  Will  not  you  be  found  the  sepulchres 
that  appear  well  without,  but  death  and  dry  bones 
within?  The  babe  slain,  that  is  not  of  this  world, 
and  his  life  buried  in  the  earthly  minds,  and  the  grave 
garnished  with  his  words?  Shall  he  who  steals  his 
neighbour's  ass  be  condemned  fourfold ;  and  shall 
he  that  slays  the  innocent,  and  steals  his  garment  go 
free? 

The  holy  men  of  God  travailed  in  sorrow,  to  bring 
forth  what  God  begot  in  them,  and  not  their  own  con- 
ceiving; and  when  they  brought  it  forth  it  was  contra- 
ry to  the  world,  and  could  not  bow  to  it,  nor  join  with 
its  ways,  but  held  forth  another  image.  So  their  cov- 
ering was  with  the  spirit  of  God,  and  with  the  re- 
proach of  the  world.  And  in  obedience  to  that  spirit 
they  spoke  as  it  moved;  in  which  words  you  take 
liberty,  and  resist  the  holy  spirit,  and  call  their  lives 
bondage.  Now  ask  your  own  consciences,  if  you  be 
not  they  who  glory  in  words  without  the  life,  in  ap- 
pearance but  not  in  heart;  but  this  is  seen  amongst 
you,  that  the  blood  of  the  slain  cries  so  loud,  that  few 
dare  look  within  his  own  house:  so  you  make  ado 
without,  to  stop  it  for  a  time;  but  by  what  is  done 
within  must  you  be  judged  in  the  end. 

Are  you  the  restorers  of  the  pure  paths  for  the  sim- 
ple to  walk  in,  as  in  the  beginning,  ere  the  God  of  this 
world  caused  error  by  his  inventions  ?  Or,  are  you  the 
makers  up  of  the  breach,  wherewith  he  hath  broken 
in  upon  our  forefathers,  in  the  days  of  darkness,  error 
and  superstition?  When  will  your  practice  preach 
redemption  from  all  those  vanities,  and  your  lives  de- 
dare  a  liberty  from  his  bondage  of  corruption,  and  to 


(   695  ) 


things  that  perish  with  using?  Doth  not  the  creation 
groan  because  of  pride,  and  the  oppression  that  is 
used  to  uphold  it,  in  its  becking  and  bowing,  and  false 
worships  and  customs?  And  are  not  men  and  women 
wholly  in  bondage  to  things  that  God  never  set  up, 
nor  commanded;  because  they  please  the  spirit  of 
this  world,  with  whom  you  are  turning  back  to  wor- 
ship, and  call  it  your  liberty.  So  your  liberty  is  in 
that  which  lies  in  corruption,  and  your  glory  in  that 
which  is  unrestored,  the  end  whereof  is  death ;  but 
the  sons  of  God  are  they  that  are  led  by  the  spirit  of 
God,  whose  glory  is  his  likeness,  and  their  substance 
is  eternal  life. 


EPISTLE  X, 

FOR  FRIENDS  TO  BE    TENDER  AND  COMPASSIONATE  ONf^ 
TO  ANOTHER. 

Dear  friends,  be  tenderly  affected  towards  one  and* 
ther,  as  brethren  in  the  Lord,  and  often  remember 
whose  spirit  it  is  you  profess  to  have  upon  you,  and 
whose  image  you  are  to  bear  before  all  men;  but  es- 
pecially  towards  all  that  love  Christ  Jesus,  and  bear 
his  testimony  this  day,  and  his  reproach;  and  that 
you  seek  to  support  the  weak,  and  recover  such  as  are 
tempted,  shaken  or  fallen:  seeking  all  occasions  to 
restore  and  forgive  one  another,  and  to  blot  the  re- 
membrances of  offences  out  of  your  hearts,  and  re- 
member the  bonds,  with  which  the  Lord  Jesus  hath 
bound  us  all  to  this,  who  laid  down  his  precious  life 
for  his  enemies,  whom  we  were,  and  are  if  we  receive 
not  this  spirit  in  the  life  of  it,  therein  to  walk  towards 
one  another;  h«  cannot  live  in  us  else,  but  suffers  in 


C   696  ) 


us  as  in  the  world.  And  remember  how  the  father  ac- 
cepted  his  son's  atonement  for  us,  and  forgave  iis  much 
at  the  beginning,  which  we  had  done  against  him  when 
his  life  we  knew  not,  but  oppressed  it  in  us.  And 
this  should  bind  us  to  do  the  like  for  all  souls;  for 
they  are  his,  as  we  were  his  when  we  knew  him  not; 
but  especially  to  every  brother  or  sister,  for  this  is 
pleasant  in  his  sight,  and  in  his  house  it  is  his  honour 
and  anointing,  wherewith  his  children  are  anointed 
into  tenderness,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest.  And 
that  spirit  where  he  lives  seeks  not  self,  but  seeks  the 
lost,  and  to  bring  again  to  God. 

So  prove  your  own  selves,  if  Christ  be  in  you,  and 
the  anointing  makes  soft  and  gentle,  and  melting  the 
hardness  makes  peace  and  oneness.  And  this  is  his 
glory  and  work  above  every  spirit,  and  his  name  above 
every  name;  that  as  he  is  just  and  pure,  and  sepa- 
rate from  sinners,  yet  is  he  tender  to  seek,  and  to  save, 
and  ready  to  forgive  above  all  other,  thereby  turning 
away  wrath.  And  for  this  he  is  loved  of  God  and 
men  who  are  reconciled  thereby;  and  pleasing  it  is  to 
God  that  he  walk  in  you,  and  you  in  him,  in  whom 
wrath  is  quenched,  and  forgiveness  received. 

And  dear  friends,  this  is  our  peace,  and  his  glory  is 
upon  us  if  with  this  spirit  w^e  be  covered,  and  armed 
against  the  adversary  who  waits  for  evil,  and  to  di- 
vide and  keep  in  division,  and  to  keep  the  evil  in  mind, 
that  it  should  not  be  blotted  out;  and  there  wrath 
abides  as  a  spark  in  secret,  and  the  fire  is  ready  to 
kindle,  more  than  to  forgive.  And  where  this  is  so, 
it  cannot  be  long  till  it  will  break  out,  where  peace  is 
denied,  and  there  satan  gets  his  daily  advantage;  and, 
saith  Christ,  it  is  impossible  but  that  offences  will 
come;  wherefore  he  saith,  take  heed  to  yourselves; 
and  if  thy  brother  trespass  against  thee,  rebuke  him, 
and  if  he  repent  forgive  him ;  and  if  he  trespass  against 
thee  seven  times  in  a  day,  and  seven  times  in  a  day 
turn  again  to  thee,  saying,  I  repent,  thou  shalt  forgive 
him.  And  if  you  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses, 
neither  will  your  heavenly  father  forgive  you  your 


(   697  ) 


trespasses.  So  look  at  God  in  what  you  do  to  men 
herein,  for  to  him  you  owe  it,  and  much  more:  if  you 
know  God  and  yourselves  you  know  this,  and  for  want 
of  thissatan  hath  got  advantage  at  this  day,  and  the 
enmity  eats  as  a  canker,  and  pride  gets  up,  and  wrath 
is  heavy  and  devours,  though  many  see  it  not;  yet  it 
is  seen  and  felt  by  some,  and  lamented  and  feared, 
who  see  it  spread  over  the  tenderness  in  many,  where 
love  did  abound  at  first;  and  how  little  a  thing  will 
now  give  occasion  of  wrath  to  work  high;  yea,  many 
times  when  no  just  occasion  is  given. 

And  this  is  the  advantage  that  satan  hath  got  in 
this  time  of  trial,  which  hath  tried  many,  and  shaken 
many.  Oh!  that  it  might  once  be  truly  sai'd,  that  wo 
had  all  taken  warning,  and  gotten  strengh  by  it  in  the 
best  things  and  most  pleasing  to  God,  and  which 
might  most  honor  him  before  all  men,  and  double  the 
bonds  of  pure  truth,  and  live  in  all  his  called  people, 
who  hear  his  name  openly;  and  that  we  might  all  be 
found  in  his  nature,  and  no  appearance  else  seen,  that 
so  the  adversary  might  be  holy  without  his  hope 
within  and  without.  And  some  breath  after  this  more 
than  any  outward  glory,  and  many  lament  the  want 
of  it ;  which  if  we  all  seek  it,  our  rest  will  then  be  tru- 
ly glorious,  yet  again,  in  one  heart  and  mind,  as  at  the 
beginning.  And  this  is  longed  and  believed  for,  with 
desire  of  heart,  that  none  may  come  short  of  seeking 
and  obtaining  the  same. 

And  you  that  have  the  word  of  God,  which  is  the 
sword  of  the  spirit,  take  heed  how  you  use  it,  and  be 
not  rash  in  your  vi^ords,  nor  unadvised  ;  but  take  coun- 
sel at  that  which  leads  to  do  to  another,  as  you  would 
be  done  to,  that  you  may  use  your  power  for  editica- 
tion,  rather  than  for  destruction;  you  may  bind  or 
loose  here  on  earth  who  have  the  word.  This  power 
is  given  from  above,  abuse  it  not,  to  bite  or  devour 
withal,  lest  you  be  devoured  thereof,  and  wrath  kindle  ^ 
against  you,  who  reject  mercy,  and  choose  it  not  ra- 
ther than  judging  one  another,  in  things  where  mercy 
might  take  place  amongst  brethren.    And  you  may 

88 


(    698  ) 


"bind  a  brother  or  sister  under  a  trespass,  who  bath 
trespassed  against  you,  and  cause  them  to  suffer  much, 
and  give  satan  advantage  against  them  above  their 
strength;  but  this  I  am  sure  God  delights  not  in, on 
your  behalf,  though  you  may  say  it  is  just,  and  an  eye 
for  an  eye;  yet  surely  if  God  had  so  dealt  with  you, 
your  debt  had  remained  upon  you;  and  the  time  will 
come,  that  he  that  hath  shewed  no  mercy  must  have 
judgment  without  mercy.  And  for  that  end  hath  God 
shewed  us  mercy  and  forgiveness,  that  we  should 
walk  in  it  towards  the  brethren,  and  be  like  him. 
And  some  are  tried  that  all  may  fear,  and  know  by 
what  you  stand;  and  if  God  doth  but  leave  you  to 
your  own*spirits,  you  will  appear  but  as  other  men, 
and  high-mindedness,  and  hard-heartedness  against 
your  brethren,  is  the  way  to  provoke  him  to  do  it,  that 
as  you  have  done,  so  you  receive. 

And  this  will  certainly  come  upon  all,  who  in  the 
forgiveness  of  God  abide  not,  though  some  men's  sins 
go  before  to  judgment,  and  some  follow  after;  and 
happy  is  that  man  whose  iniquity  is  covered,  and  puts 
on  that  spirit  towards  the  brethren  and  fellow-servants, 
which  hath  power  to  keep  it  so. 

I  speak  not  this  to  hide  the  transgressor,  or  keep 
the  evil  one  from  judgment,  wherever  he  is  seen;  for 
that  will  defile  you:  but  to  preserve  the  brotherhood 
from  him  that  now  seeks  occasion,  that  no  place  be 
given  to  him,  but  that  all  may  be  done  iji  that  spirit 
that  hath  the  power  and  effectual  working  together, 
and  heal  and  save  through  judgment,  making  an  end 
of  sin,  and  the  remembrance  of  it,  and  in  peace  sow- 
ing the  fruit  of  righteousness  in  him  alone  that  makes 
peace,  not  kindling  the  fire;  but  with  fear  to  be  defi- 
led pulling  out  of  the  fire,  putting  a  difference  in  this 
case,  which  none  can  do  but  who  have  received  the 
power  of  forgiveness  from  above,  and  walk  in  it.  And 
such  indeed  have  put  on  the  Lord,  who  would  have 
none  defiled,  nor  any  lost  for  want  of  compassion ;  and 
in  whom  sin  is  covered,  wrath  is  put  away,  and  mercy 
hath  taken  its  place,  and  such  love  mercy  and  sal- 


(  699  ) 

vation;  but  they  in  whom  wrath  and  strife  is  abov^^ 
mke  heed  and  glory  not  over  another,  which  will  bring 
jroiirselves  under  greater  condemnation* 


EPISTXiE  IX. 

NOT  TO  STRIVE,  BUT   OVERCOME   BY  SUFFERING. 

Children  of  God,  seek  a  kingdom  in  you,  that  flesh 
and  blood  strive  not  for,  nor  cannot  enter  therein,  a 
kingdom  undefiled,  a^d  that  fadeth  not  away,  hid 
from  that  which  feeds  on  earthly  things,  a  heavenly 
kingdom,  bearing  heavenly  fruits,  and  where  heavenly 
things  abound;  wherein  the  heavenly  spirit  rules, 
guides,  and  brings  forth  fruits  of  itself,  heavenly  fruits, 
the  fruits  of  grace  and  meekness,  and  of  a  lowly  mind, 
the  fruits  of  peace  and  gentleness,  and  forbearance 
amongst  yourselves.  These  are  heavenly  fruits,  and 
the  virtues  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  that  which  the 
loftiness  of  flesh  and  blood  looks  not  for,  nor  doth  es- 
teem, which  loves  the  praise  of  men,  and  to  be  known 
in  that  which  this  world  can  see  into  with  the  out- 
ward understanding:  but  wait  with  patience  to  feel 
that  quickened,  which  is  sown  in  tears,  and  springs  up 
with  joy,  out  of  the  sight  of  the  natural  understanding, 
that  that  alone  may  bear  you,  and  therein  all  your 
fruit  may  be  found,  and  so  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  tree  by  its  fruits;  and  let  the  life  open  the  under- 
standing (and  not  the  notion,  or  a  sight)  that  is  the 
heavenly  learning  of  Christ  Jesus  the  righteous,  full 
of  grace  and  truth  ;  but  striving  to  get  up  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  heavenly  things  in  notion  and  form,  before  the 
thing  itself  be  born  and  brought  forth,  this  is  the 
wrong  way  to  learn  Christ,  and  the  way  of  the  world, 
that  veils  the  life;  for  this  knowledge  stands  in  the 
sensual  part,  to  exalt  and  puff  up  the  mind  above  the 


(  700 


meekness  and  iovvliness  that  is  in  the  spirit  of  Chris! 
Jesus,  and  l)eguiles  the  sonl  of  the  simplicity  in  which 
it  should  feed;  and  so  a  tree  may  grow  high,  and 
hard,  and  strong,  yet  fruitless  and  out  of  the  power, 
got  above  the  poor,  above  the  innocent,  out  of  the 
feeling  of  the  sufferer  and  man  of  sorrows  where  he 
is;  and  the  end  of  this  growth  is  not  in  the  pure  rest, 
for  the  higher  any  one  grows  here,  the  more  doth  that 
wither  and  die  in  them,  which  is  soft,  and  tender  and 
melting,  which  makes  one,  and  is  the  true  fold  for 
lambs,  where  the  lions  must  lie  down  in  the  end,  if 
they  come  to  rest,  and  that  eye  put  out  which  looks  to 
be  great  among  men,  that  comes  not  into  the  rest,  but 
hath  strife  in  the  mind,  strife  in  words  and  secret  smi- 
lings,  which  defile  the  rest,  and  lead  into  the  division 
and  separation ;  but  the  little  diild  leads  into  the  rest, 
and  that  which  is  lowly  gives  the  entrance. 

So  feel  that  which  is  lowly  and  meek  to  arise  above 
self,  that  which  stills  all  strife  at  home  in  your  minds, 
and  gives  peace  in  temptation  and  tribulation;  that's 
a  soft  and  tender  thing  in  you,  thai  is  the  peace-maker, 
that's  blest  of  God.  And  this  is  first  felt  under  the 
world,  under  the  strife,  suffering  by  the  strife  in  pa- 
tience, to  bring  to  the  end  of  the  strife  and  the  world, 
and  in  the  end  of  it,  and  all  exaltation,  he  comes  to 
arise  over  the  world  and  the  enmity,  who  is  not  of  a 
striving  nature,  but  lives  by  hope,  and  believes  to  see 
to  the  end  of  all  things  under  which  he  suffers,  and  to 
out-live  every  temptation  by  suffering.  And  so  by  an 
everlasting  life  comes  over  the  world,  and  to  reign  over 
all  things  that  are  not  of  that  eternal  nature;  but  not 
to  join  with  the  evil. 

And  he  that  in  the  particular  is  born  of  this,  hath 
overcome  the  world  in  himself,  and  knows  how  to 
walk  towards  his  brother  in  that  which  hath  power 
over  the  world  and  outlives  all,  whereby  he  can  suffer 
therein,  and  brings  forth  its  own  undefiled  into  one  to 
rest,  ever  aiming  in  all  ministrations  at  the  kingdom  of 
truth,  peace  and  holiness,  which  is  the  end  of  all 
gifts  and  callings  amongst  the  brethren,  and  is  only 


\ 

(   701  ) 

obtained  as  that  arises  in  all  which  suffers  by  the 
world,  but  is  not  of  the  world,  which  he  that  is 
Christ's  minister  comes  to  turn  men  unto. 

And  this  seed  all  should  know,  which  is  beloved  of 
the  father  and  heir  of  the  everlasting  kingdom,  who 
strives  not  by  violence,  but  entreats;  who  seeks  not 
revenge,  but  endures  all  contradictions  from  all  against 
himself,  to  the  end  he  may  obtain  mercy  for  all  from 
the  father.  And  this  is  the  seed  of  eternal  peace, 
and  the  eternal  peace  maker,  which  was  foreordained 
of  the  father,  and  hath  power  to  endure  all  things,  and 
subdue  all  things  by  overcoming. 

So  this  seek  in  yourselves  and  all  men,  and  in  it 
seek  one  another  as  brethren.  This  is  that  which  is 
perfect,  and  is  never  to  be  done  away,  neither  can  it 
be  overcome  of  the  world ;  wrath  cannot  enter  it,  pride 
cannot  enter  it;  it  strives  for  nothing  but  to  live  its 
own  life,  which  the  world  strives  not  for;  nor  can  any 
that  are  of  it  strive  with  it;  the  worldly  spirit  seeks 
not  that  crown,  whose  life  is  to  suffer  all  things,  to  be 
meek,  and  low,  and  poor,  and  rejected;  reviled,  con- 
temned of  all  the  world,  bearing  the  reproach  of  all 
that's  above  that  of  God  in  all.  And  little  striving  in 
the  will  of  man  is  there  for  this  kingdom,  or  the  cross 
that  belongs  thereto,  which  no  exalted  mind  can  bear 
nor  glory  in. 

And  this  is  the  righteousness  that  exceeds  the 
Scribes  and  Pharisees,  and  professors,  and  that  where- 
in they  cannot  enter;  nor  can  any  reign  in  this  king- 
dom, but  who  can  bear  the  cross  which  leads  to  the 
crown,  and  hath  a  habitation  in  that  which  cannot  be 
moved  with  change  nor  kindled  with  wrath. 

This  is  the  heritage  of  the  meek,  and  the  kingdom 
which  only  belongs  to  the  poor  in  spirit  and  pure  in 
heart,  where  the  hardness  of  heart  is  broken,  and 
melted,  and  self  dead,  many  spirits  desire  to  look  into 
it;  but  few  to  live  the  life  of  it;  it's  only  for  the  heirs 
who  are  born  through  sorrow,  and  slain  with  ease;  to 
whom  flesh  and  blood  is  an  enemy,  and  with  the  eye 
that  looks  out  lightly  esteemed  amongst  men. 

JAMES  NAYLER, 


(   702  ) 


EPZSTZ.E  XIZ. 

EXHORTING  TO   MERCY   AND  FORGIVENESS^ 

Dear  friends,  mind  whereon  you  feed,  and  in  what 
you  grow,  and  keep  all  low  in  your  minds,  that  the 
virtue  of  meekness  you  may  feel,  and  know  the 
strength  of  it  with  God;  take  heed  of  the  knowledge 
above  the  life,  and  of  getting  words  of  wisdom,  and 
therewith  set  yourselves  above  the  meek,  and  despise 
the  weak,  and  so  become  strong  trees  without  fruit, 
which  God  will  overturn  by  the  roots:  but  every  one 
feed  in  a  clean  spirit,  and  therein  know  the  power  of 
the  word  of  life  in  yourselves,  which  as  it  passeth 
breaks  the  rocks,  and  melts  the  hardness  in  every 
heart,  and  melts  you  all  into  one  heart,  as  one  man, 
all  into  one  mind  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  you  may  be  knit 
in  one  body,  and  one  spirit,  and  one  head,  the  lamb 
over  all,  glorified  over  all;  having  come  through  the 
world,  and  through  the  law,  now  know  the  power  of 
love  in  yourselves,  as  it  is  in  Christ,  and  the  mercy  seat 
and  forgiveness  of  God ;  even  as  you  have  received  of 
the  Lord  freely,  so  do  one  to  another  freely,  that  you 
may  be  sealed  therein;  that  there  be  no  evil  in  any 
heart  unblotted  out  before  God,  that  he  may  walk  in 
you  all  in  pure  peace  and  mercy,  and  that  all  may 
know  into  whom  you  are  begotten;  and  v^^ith  the  sa- 
ving health  of  God  you  may  be  all  covered,  and  the 
weak  strengthened  and  comforted,  that  none  be  driven 
away  for  want  of  compassion,  but  that  such  be  visited 
with  the  same  you  have  received,  or  would  receive 
from  God  for  yourselves:  and  this  is  brotherly  kind- 
ness, as  God  is  kind:  and  all  know  the  virtue  of  a 
healing  tongue,  and  how  to  use  it;  and  often  remem- 
ber, ye  were  enemies  to  God,  and  ignorantly  did  that 
which  you  should  not;  and  in  that  state  God  sought 
you  with  much  patience  and  long  suffering  towards 
you,  and  with  great  forgiveness  were  you  gathered  in- 


(  703  ) 


lo  his  love  and  mercy,  that  he  might  lead  you  an  ex- 
ample towards  your  brethren,  for  all  souls  are  his:  how- 
much  more  should  you  be  tender  to  such  as  lire  al- 
ready called,  and  serve  them  as  brethren  who  have 
but  received  the  truth  in  belief  thereof,  and  are  turned 
towards  God,  bearing  their  testimony  in  that  faith 
against  the  world,  though  in  much  weakness?  Yet  of 
such  be  tender,  and  feed  them  with  milk,  as  the  Lord 
hath  fed  you;  so  do  vi^ith  much  fear  and  gentleness, 
least  the  same  be  driven  out  of  the  way,  and  give  no 
advantage  to  the  enemy ;  and  set  not  yourselves  above 
them  with  that  which  you  have  received  from  God: 
but  seek  the  life  of  God  in  all, to  set  up  over  all;  and 
let  that  be  the  chief  thing  you  aim  at  in  all,  for  the 
Lord's  sake,  leading  them  the  w^ay  of  meekness  and 
fear  which  is  in  God,  and  in  the  pure  wisdom,  putting 
a  difference  betwixt  weakness  and  wilfulness,  and  be- 
twixt the  brethren  and  the  world ;  and  as  your  hearts 
are  found  perfect  to  the  seed  (the  word  of  God'^  here- 
in, God  will  make  you  wise  to  salvation,  nurses  and 
fathers  shall  you  be  called,  and  a  blessing  will  be  in 
your  hand  on  whom  ever  you  lay  it ;  and  you  will  grow 
in  grace  and  mercy  as  you  come  to  feel  this  rise  in 
you,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  salvation,  and  the  pow- 
er of  God's  arm  you  will  feel  you  have  to  gather  with- 
al unto  God,  and  he  will  write  his  name  of  peace  up- 
on your  assemblies,  and  build  you  as  a  city  without 
breaches. 


(  704  ) 


SFXSTZ.S  xm. 

TO  SOME  FRIENDS  IN  THE  NORTHERN'  PARTS. 

Dear  friends,  my  soul  salutes  you  all,  in  the  breath- 
mgs  of  eternal  love,  which  we  have  in  the  bowels  of 
Jesus  Christ,  v^^ho  is  the  holy  one,  and  full  of  the  fa- 
ther's love,  truth  and  mercy,  and  in  him  we  drink  into 
the  same  eternal  spirit,  and  of  his  fulness  we  all  re- 
ceive enlargedness  of  bowels  towards  every  living 
soul,  whom  God  hath  quickened  in  the  life  towards 
himself.  And  trul}  friends,  it's  in  that  life  that  the 
remembrance  of  you  arises  in  my  heart,  amongst  the 
rest  of  the  living  of  my  father,  whose  faces  I  have  not 
seen  for  many  days,  though  often  I  have  felt  desires 
thereunto;  yet  your  remembrance  is  sweet  to  me  for 
the  truth's  sake,  whose  testimony  you  bear  before  all 
men,  and  are  not  ashamed;  and  some  of  you  have 
stood  in  it  from  the  beginning,  in  which  I  see  you  pre- 
sent, and  feel  you  in  spirit  and  life,  which  1  have  in 
God. 

Dear  hearts,  it's  by  the  arising  of  the  Almighty  we 
have  unity  and  strength;  the  morning  of  our  light  he 
is  in  us,  and  his  rising  is  our  glory  and  crown,  and  he 
is  the  father  of  all  our  righteousness,  in  the  harmless- 
ness  of  our  hearts:  how  often  doth  he  revive  us  with 
new  life,  and  refresh  us  with  the  streams  of  his  pure 
virtue,  and  is  more  in  our  hearts  many  times  than 
tongue  can  utter:  and  then  he  brings  to  a  sight  one  of 
another;  and  then  in  what  glory  stands  his  beloved 
lambs  in  the  eye  one  of  another ;  and  how  doth  his  ten- 
der spirit  make  our  bowelsyearn  towards  one  another? 
Thus  doth  the  Lord  often  for  us,  and  lays  us  in  his  bo- 
som together,  and  removes  all  evil  far  from  us,  and 
then  shows  us  the  spiritual  relation  that  we  are  in,  in 
him. 

Friends,  in  this  you  are  near  to  me  in  God,  I  can 
speak  it,  to  whom  be  glory  forever;  and  here  I  had  a 


(  705  ) 


sense  of  divers  of  you  when  I  was  under  the  nmoun- 
tains,  and  when  my  adversary  had  dominion:  verily  I 
<jannot  forget  you  in  those  parts,  and  your  tender  hearts 
which  I  felt  in  that  day,  yea,  well  could  my  soul  feel 
the  hard  and  the  tender;  and  he  that  delivered  my 
soul,  hath  written  you  in  my  heart,  never  to  be  forgot- 
ten: and  God  will  bring  his  people  all  into  a  clean  and 
peaceable  land,  and  feed  them  with  life  everlasting; 
and  thereto  I  commit  you  all,  dear  children  of  God, 
that  therewith  you  may  be  armed  against  whatever 
evils  may  assault  you  in  this  evil  time,  and  generation, 
that  knows  not  God. 

And  when  I  was  in  the  north,  it  was  in  my  heart  to 
have  seen  you,  that  I  might  have  rejoiced  with  you  in 
God's  holy  fear;  but  on  a  sudden  was  I  brought  back 
to  this  city,  and  here  I  wait  the  will  of  our  father,  to 
do  or  suffer,  to  whom  be  all  fear  and  obedience  for 
evermore. 

Your  dear  brother^  J.  N. 


ISP1STI.E  XIV. 

EXHORTING  TO  WATCHFULNESS. 

Blessed  forever  be  the  father  of  light,  who  hath 
called  you  out  of  the  world,  and  hath  given  to  you  a 
testimony  to  finish  in  behalf  of  Christ  Jesus;  that 
through  you  he  may  manifestly  declare  him  to  the 
world,  in  the  true  savour  of  God,  wherein  you  are  the 
first  fruits  to  his  glory,  as  you  die  and  arise  in  him :  and 
so  the  son  is  the  light  of  the  world.  So  I  beseech 
you,  let  your  shining  be  in  the  right  nature,  and  your 
rising  be  as  you  are  born  of  God,  and  covered  with 

89 


(  706  ) 


the  same  spirit  and  life  by  which  you-  have  been  be- 
gotten towards  him:  that  none  of  you  may  be  found 
false  witnesses  of  his  coming,  when  you  are  proved 
with  fire,  when  nothing  will  abide  with  you  but  what 
you  are  in  his  nature;  that's  all  you  have  of  the  treas- 
ure of  God,  even  what  you  are  in  him,  who  worketh 
in  you  against  the  flesh  and  the  world;  as  many  as 
abide  in  the  feeling  of  his  measure,  and  therein  re- 
ceive him  as  head  over  all.  But  if  you  receive  any 
thing  above  him,  in  your  minds,  which  is  not  of  this 
nature,  then  you  oppress  him  who  is  meek  and  ten- 
der, which  hinders  his  arising  to  walk  and  dwell  in 
you. 

Wherefore  dear  friends,  watch  against  all  fleshly, 
selfish,  hasty  motions;  take  heed  what  you  receive  in- 
to his  temple,  least  you  defile  it,  and  he  leave  you  des- 
olate and  in  darkness. 

Because  of  evil  thoughts,  covetousness,  and  pride  of 
heart,  is  his  spirit  grieved  ;  every  self  end,  in  whatever 
you  do  or  suffer,  is  an  enemy  to  his  life,  he  suffers  by 
whatever  is  done  deceitfully  towards  God  or  man; 
and  if  you  give  wSy  to  wrath  you  deny  his  kingdom  : 
yea,  you  that  have  tasted  of  him,  you  know  in  meas- 
ure how  pure  his  way  is  in  all  things;  and  I  pray  God 
you  may  all  grow  therein,  being  so  much  the  more  dil- 
igent, as  you  see  your  adversary  seeking  by  all  means 
to  darken  that  glory  of  your  holiness  in  Christ  Jesus, 
that  spirit ;  to  whom  I  commit  you  all,  that  in  the  holy 
bowels  of  his  tender  love  you  may  know  one  another, 
in  whatsoever  any  of  you  shall  meet  with  from  the 
world,  in  this  way  of  your  pilgrimage ;  that  your  unity 
in  him  nothing  may  be  able  to  break. 


(    707  ) 


SPZSTLZ:  XV. 

iO  WATCH  AGAINST  THE  ENEMy's  WILES,  ANIK 
BE  FAITHFUL   TO  THE  END. 

Dear  friends,  in  tenderness  of  heart  which  I  receive 
of  God  daily,  I  am  with  vou;  and  I  pray  God  our  fa- 
ther, in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  your  minds  may  be 
kept  pure  and  single  to  himself,  so  as  at  the  fountain 
•of  eternal  life  you  may  ever  feed  and  receive  counsel, 
and  grow  in  strength  against  that  spirit  which  hath 
many  subtil  wiles  to  draw  your  minds  from  the  bread 
of  life;  even  the  Lord  God  of  truth  discover  them  all 
to  every  one  of  you,  and  preserve  you  daily  against 
them* that  to  the  root  which  bears  you,  you  may  all 
be  kept,  thence  to  receive  renewed  strength,  that  to 
God  you  may  be  fruitful  forever;  and  not  as  trees 
whose  root  withers,  and  must  needs  fall  in  the  end, 
though  never  so  high  in  knowledge  or  conceit;  even 
the  Lord  keep  you  all  from  this,  which  is  that  which 
is  much  in  me  to  write  to  you  of  at  this  present,  who 
to  me  are  dearer  than  I  can  express;  that  to  the  foun- 
dation of  God  you  may  all  be  kept,  and  all  the  people 
of  God  on  the  rock  to  drink,  who  are  his  portion  in 
this  his  day,  with  him  to  stand  against  the  powers  of 
darkness  that  are  arising  against  the  Lamb,  to  whom 
be  glory. 

And  blessed  are  they  who  with  him  are  found  faith- 
ful, even  such  as  continually  feed  with  him,  where 
eternal  life  is  manifested ;  and  none  can  feed  there,  but 
as  they  come  to  have  their  minds  redeemed  out  of 
worldly  things.  So  dear  friends,  all  take  heed  of  ma- 
ny thoughts,  and  many  works,  and  walk  humbly  with 
God,  with  single  minds  always;  and  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  yon  all,v4mcn. 


(  708  ) 


Something  in  answer  to  two  letters  sent  from  New-England,  to  some  of 
England,  to  persuade  to  persecution one  letter  in  the  name  of  Rich- 
ard Billingham;  and  the  other  in  the  name  of  John  Endicott,  Gov- 
ernor of  Boston.    The  1th  month,  1 658. 

Friends  of  New-England,  called  independents,  you 
have  taken  the  name  to  depend  upon  the  spirit  of 
Christ  Jesus  alone  for  your  defence,  as  though  your 
way  did  not  depend  on  the  arm  of  flesh;  and  thus  like 
sheep  you  had  clothed  yourselves,  and  got  a  name  of 
life  above  the  beast  and  his  mark,  more  than  many 
other  sects  in  the  world.  But  now  the  Lamb  (who 
will  not  give  his  glory  to  another)  hath  weighed  and 
proved  you,  and  your  work  hath  made  it  apparent  you 
know  him  not,  nor  his  spirit  and  power  that  bears  all 
things,  and  overcomes  all  things,  you  not  having  on  the 
armour  of  light,  nor  the  sword  of  the  spirit,  that  is 
able  to  judge  and  divide  aright,  to  cut  down  heresies 
[as  you  call  them]  confound  errors,  in  the  way  of  sal- 
vation: but  are  found  a  people  filled  with  rage,  wrath 
and  bitterness,  cruelly  entreating  his  servants,  whom 
he  hath  sent  amongst  you  in  his  name  and  nature; 
whereby  you  have  shamed  your  profession,  and  stain- 
ed your  colour;  you  have  blotted  your  name  out  of  the 
Lamb's  life,  and  writ  it  in  blood,  that  all  the  world 
may  read  it:  the  Lamb  you  have  denied  in  works,  his 
spirit,  his  power  and  his  mark  ;  and  you  have  made  it 
fully  appear  whence  you  are,  and  that  you  are  not 
from  above,  nor  your  power  spiritual;  but  from  below, 
and  your  arm  flesh,  your  weapons  carnal  and  devilish, 
as  those  which  formerly  you  have  condemned,  even 
the  worst  of  them  you  exceed ;  and  out  of  the  power 
you  are  gone  which  is  able  to  bear  all  things,  try  all 
things,  aud  hold  fast  that  which  is  good ;  who  have  no 
way  to  stop  the  power  of  heresies,  but  with  killing 
those  whom  Christ  came  to  save:  so  your  birth  is 
brought  forth ;  here  is  wisdom, let  him  that  understands 
read,  how  little  a  thing  God  hath  chosen  to  confound 
so  great  a  name,  and  to  write  it  amongst  the  number 
of  the  man  of  blood. 


(  709  ; 

And  to  strengthen  your  arm,  and  cover  that  *shame 
i'ul  thing  you  have  in  hand,  you  have  sent  your  letters 
into  England,  filled  with  bitter  words  and  untruths,  the 
foulness  that  abounds  in  your  own  hearts  have  you 
cast  abroad  for  a  covering;  which  is  so  much  too  nar- 
row to  cover  innocent  blood,  that  it  further  lays  open 
your  rage  and  rashness,  and  folly,  to  every  moderate 
spirit  that  reads  you. 

You  undertake  to  inform  (with  many  grievous  and 
false  accusations)  against  a  people  who  are  better 
known  here  in  England  than  you  know  them,  and 
which  have  a  witness  of  truth  in  most  hearts  in  this 
nation  (if  suffered  to  speak)  which  may  return  your 
accusations  back  upon  you  as  false;  and  the  ground 
to  be  but  malice  arising  in  yourselves:  and  this  is 
your  folly  with  sober  men  of  sound  judgment  and 
wisdom. 

What  have  these  people  acted  (saith  truth)  against 
the  present  government,  these  years  wherein  they 
have  been  proved  sundry  ways?  What  is  the  rebel- 
ion,  written  or  spoken  against  authority;  seeing  you 
say  its  all  their  religion?  Who  is  that  magistrate 
which  they  have  sought  the  destruction  of?  And 
what  is  that  all  manner  of  disobedience  and  malignity 
which  they  encourage  against  lawful  authority,  seeing 
you  accuse  them  with  these  things?  What  discon- 
tents have  they  had  a  hand  in,  as  to  strengthen;  and 
what  are  the  words  they  have  spoken  against  the  pre- 
sent government;  and  what  are  those  combinations 
and  insurrections  they  encourage,  seeing  you  charge 
all  these  things  upon  them?  And  what  plots  have 
any  one  of  them  been  found  in  since  this  present  gov- 
ernment, against  which  many  have  been,  and  opportu- 
nity hath  not  been  wanting,  seeing  you  say  they  have 
all  plots.  O  men,  be  ashamed  of  your  words:  are  not 
they  known  in  England,  to  have  been  men  who  gener- 
ally did  adventure  lives  and  estates,  with  those  who 
are  in  present  government,  purchasing  their  freedom 
as  men,  with  great  loss;  and  now  seeing  they  cannot 
seek  it  that  way,  do  not  they  sit  down  and  suffer,  in 


K  no  ) 

the  way  of  Christ,  all  that  man  hath  power  to  inflict: 
upon  them,  holding  forth  the  name  of  Christ  in  a  pure 
conscience  for  a  witness  against  them,  for  repentance 
to  salvation,  and  not  for  destruction;  and  a  witness 
there  is  in  every  conscience  of  the  truth  hereof,  though 
all  men  should  be  silent,  or  set  themselves  against  it. 
And  for  the  blasphemies  you  tell  on,  heresies  and  se- 
dition, what  are  they?  Bring  them  forth  into  opea 
view,  and  let  the  scriptures  of  truth  judge  thereof: 
and  if  therewith  [without  wresting]  you  can  convince 
us  thereof,  then  you  shew  a  spirit  suitable  to  scripture, 
and  one  with  scripture,  and  yourselves  as  men  of  God ; 
and  deny  that  spirit  of  murder  that  calls  Christ  a 
devil,  and  his  servants  blasphemers  and  hereticks: 
but  was  never  able  to  convince  them  thereof  before 
the  face  of  truth:  yet  with  swelling  words  of  accusa- 
tion stir  up  men  to  take  away  their  lives,  saying,  if 
they  were  not  so,  we  would  not  have  delivered  them 
to  death,  or  persecution:  and  if  like  sober-minded 
men  of  spirit,  you  had  done  this,  to  have  proved  be- 
fore you  had  pronounced,  the  heat  of  this  fiery  mat- 
ter had  been  quenched  in  your  own  bosoms  ere  it  had 
been  kindled,  or  come  thus  far  witness  against  you  to 
your  hurt ;  and  when  it  comes  to  return  again  into  the 
vessel  from  whence  it  came,  you  will  know  it  had 
been  good  it  had  rotted  ere  it  had  risen;  though  now 
the  innocent  bear  it  till  its  time  be  fulfilled. 

You  accuse  them  for  killing  the  witnesses;  what 
with  crying  against  sin,  which  hath  slain  the  witnes- 
ses, and  with  preaching  to  you  amendment  of  life, 
calling  you  to  the  witness  of  God  in  you;  and  this  is 
known  to  be  our  chief  work  in  old  England,  and  new, 
and  through  the  world;  and  this  is  that  end  they  aim 
at,  which  would  call  their  mischievous  end.  But 
friends,  it's  your  pride  and  fulness,  and  the  lusts  of 
your  fleshly  wills  that  slays  the  witness  of  God  in 
yourselves,  and  your  exalted  wisdom  above  and 
against  the  spirit  of  truth  and  meekness ;  where  Sodom 
and  Egypt  is,  there  lies  the  witnesses  slain,  which  they 
who  are  come  out  of  come  not  to  kill. 


(  711  j 


And  you  say,  if  the  Lord  have  given  them  commis 
sion  to  kill  the  witnesses.  Doubtless  the  Lord  hath 
given  them  commission  [but  not  to  kill  his  witnesses] 
for  had  not  they  commission  from  him,  and  power  al- 
so, little  hope  could  be  to  go  about  this  work  against 
that  bloody  spirit  which  is  now  in  the  world,  which 
hath  slain  the  Lord  of  life,  murdered  the  prophets  and 
apostles,  and  martyred  his  messengers,  under  the 
name  of  hereticks,  in  all  ages;  and  from  which  no 
other  can  be  expected  now,  had  they  not  commission 
from  him,  who  hath  also  put  on  them  the  same  suffer- 
mg  spirit,  who  loves  not  their  lives  unto  death,  to  which 
you  are  made  to  confess,  saying,  they  regard  not  their 
lives;  though  you  call  this  the  spirit  of  the  devil,  as 
persecutors  ever  have  done,  who  are  too  mad  in  zeal 
without  knowledge  to  mind  what  they  do,  or  against 
whom,  as  at  present  you  are  seen  to  be,  though  the 
witness  of  God  sometimes  forces  you  to  confess  to  the 
truth  ;  and  this  is  borne  witness  to  by  them,  and  not 
slain.  And  now  see  what  a  work  you  are  found  in 
against  the  Lord,  who  are  slaying  his  witnesses,  for 
which  you  are  accusing  others,  and  as  if  the  Lord  had 
given  them  commision  to  kill  his  witnesses;  is  not 
this  horrid  blasphemy?  Then  see  what  you  are  do- 
ing, who  are  about  to  kill  the  bodies  of  such  whose 
commission  is  from  the  Lord:  surely  had  you  the  spir- 
it of  children  [were  the  messages  as  bad  in  truth  as 
you  would  make  it,  by  false  accusations]  should  your 
work  be  to  contrive  their  death  who  come  with  his 
commission  to  preach  amongst  you:  hath  such  a  thing 
as  this  been  known,  that  a  child  should  arise  against 
the  rod  in  the  hand  of  his  father,  and  say,  if  I  can  but 
destroy  it  I  shall  have  peace?  This  is  your  work, 
and  this  you  send  in  counsel  into  old  England,  saying, 
persecute  them  with  the  severest  censures,  so  the 
wrath  of  God  would  be  appeased  towards  England. 
May  not  all  that  ever  heard  what  you  once  fled  from, 
out  of  Englan(i,  stand  amazed  at  this  return?  Alas, 
for  your  loss  and  darkness;  did  ever  any  of  your  fore- 
goers  in  this  way  appease  the  wrath  of  God.  by  follow- 
ing this  counsel*^ 


(   712  ) 


What  became  of  that  persecuting  power  which  your 
eyes  once  saw,  and  from  which  you  fled,  their  rulers  and 
their  teachers,  who  taught  them  this  very  same  way, 
and  they  took  it  as  you  do?  They  that  stayed  behind, 
bearing  the  cross  from  which  you  fled,  can  tell  you: — 
though  when  you  left  that  authority,  they  esteemed 
themselves  as  safe  in  that  way  as  you  can,  and  was 
as  confident  to  settle  their  peace  with  persecuting  the 
Puritans  [then  so  called]  as  you  with  killing  the  Qua- 
kers [now  so  called.] 

O  men,  fear  the  Lord  God  of  power,  and  take  heed 
what  you  do  in  the  height  of  your  pride,  and  heat  of 
your  cruelty;  the  hearts  of  such  as  love  your  souls 
are  wounded  with  your  counsels  and  actings ;  and  read 
the  scriptures,  and  see  if  that  way  did  ever  lead  but 
to  desolation  and  ruin;  and  you  are  grown  to  a  great 
height  in  a  little  time,  and  your  encouraging  others  to 
goon  with  confidence  in  that  way,  and  your  gladness 
at  it  where  you  hear  of  it  practised,  shews  your 
hearts  are  hardened;  and  the  heart  never  hardens  in 
cruelty  but  where  its  filled  with  a  corrupt  treasure:  it 
were  better  that  you  should  condemn  it  in  yourselves, 
than  wrath  should  rip  it  up  and  reward  it. 

And  in  your  papers  you  pretend  great  danger  to  be 
overcome,  and  say,  there  is  more  danger  of  these 
than  the  king  of  Scots,  or  all  the  popish  princes  in 
Germany,  &c.  What!  overcome  with  a  people  that 
bears  no  weapon  against  you  but  the  sword  of  a  suf- 
fering spirit:  w^hat  fear  is  this  that  besets  you,  and 
what  do  you  fear  will  be  overcome  without  hands? 
Do  you  see  where  this  fear  arises,  and  is  not  that 
within  you  that  causes  it?  Is  it  not  the  spirit  of  this 
world  within  you  exalted  where  it  ought  not,  which 
is  now  afraid  the  witness  of  God  should  arise  in  you 
and  your  people,  which  hath  long  suff'ered  under  false 
pretences,  and  feigned  worships,  pride  and  covetous- 
ness,  and  the  whole  body  of  wickedness:  and  ye  be- 
ing awakened  to  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  it  would 
arise  and  testify  against  you,  to  the  overturning  of  the 
throne  of  iniquity,  which  is  framing  mischief  by  a 


(  713  ) 


law,  and  lay  your  honor  in  the  dust,  that  he  alone  may 
be  exalted  in  you,  who  hath  no  fellowship  therewith. 
This  is  seen  to  be  the  cause  of  your  fears,  and  the 
danger  you  are  in  to  be  overcome,  and  the  cause  qf 
confederacy,  and  calling,  to  such  as  fear  your  fears, 
for  more  help  to  strenghten  you  against  the  burthen- 
some  stone ;  and  a  bad  cause  you  have  undertaken 
against  the  Lord  God  of  power,,to  withstand  the  day 
of  your  visitation;  and  as  badly  do  you  manage  it, 
to  set  briers  and  thorns  against  him  in  battle,  which 
he  will  make  his  way  through  with  fire:  it  was  better 
counsel  to  kiss  the  Son,  ere  his  wrath  wax  hot  against 
you,  least  the  smoke  thereof  wholly  blind  you ;  for  he 
is  near  you  who  will  overcome  you,  or  condemn  you, 
who  hath  begun  to  work  a  strange  work  among  you, 
and  in  a  strange  way  to  your  wisdom,  is  he  turning 
your  inside  outward  to  be  seen  of  all  men,  so  that  a 
wolf  must  no  longer  be  called  a  lamb,  nor  the  bramble 
the  vine,  with  any  who  are  not  wilfully  blind,  but  can 
judge  of  the  tree  by  its  fruits,  and  with  base  and  fool- 
ish things  in  your  eyes,  this  is  coming  to  pass ;  and  that 
which  you  count  the  work  of  the  devil  must  discover 
the  devil  in  whom  he  is,  and  the  lamb  in  whom  he  is, 
and  each  must  have  his  name  after  his  kind  and  na- 
ture, that  truth  may  pass  an  even  judgment. 

Your  words  are,  that  the  spirit  of  God  should  rule 
in  his  people ;  and,  say  you,  he  that  is  in  them  is  stron- 
ger than  the  spirit  that  is  in  the  world,  and  here  you 
pretend  to  set  spirit  against  spirit  in  trial  for  victory; 
but  in  works  you  deny  this,  betaking  yourselves  to  the 
arm  of  flesh,  making  whips,  prisons,  banishment,  cut- 
ting off  ears  and  framing  laws  to  shed  blood,  your 
chiefest  strength;  these  are  not  spirit,  nor  spiritual, 
but  carnal  and  devilish,  never  used  by  the  spirit  of 
Christ  to  overcome  evil,  or  heresies:  will  you  say 
you  are  God's  people,  and  his  spirit  rules  in  yon, 
and  is  the  stronger;  and  will  you  murder  and  shed 
blood  under  this  pretence?  Is  the  spirit  of  God,  and 
his  strength,  to  martyr  and  mangle  his  own  workman- 
ship?   Hath  he  no  other  way  to  overcome  the  devil? 

90 


(   7U  ; 


What  a  God  would  you  make  of  him  in  your  dark 
minds?    Doth  he  give  some  of  his  servants  commis- 
sion to  come  amongst  you,  and  doth  his  spirit  rule  in 
you  to  kill  them  for  obeying  his  commission?  Shall 
the  judge  of  all  the  earth  do  this  thing  to  his  creatures? 
Is  not  this  the  highest  kind  of  blasphemy,  and  shall 
his  holy  spirit  be  guilty  of  innocent  blood?  Nay, 
God  is  not  divided  against  his  creation,  no  more  than 
satan  against  his  own  kingdom.    He  that  kills  the 
body  because  of  the  spirit  of  error  that  he  says  is  in 
it,  shews  his  power  can  go  no  farther:  but  he  that 
hath  power  to  confound  the  error  and  save  the  life, 
he  is  the  saviour  to  whom  the  creature  belongs,  who 
comes  to  save  his  own  and  slay  his  enemy  that  is 
therein;  and  here  is  read  the  mark  of  the  lamb  and 
the  mark  of  the  beast:  but  the  lamb  must  have  the 
victory,  and  those  that  war  with  him,  over  the  bloody 
colored  beast,  and  that  spirit  that  rides  thereon;  and 
had  you  followed  the  lamb,  and  stood  with  him  in  suf- 
fering when  you  fled  before  this  spirit,  then  had  you 
overcome  it,  and  not  taken  it  with  you,  which  now 
hath  overcome  you  above  measure,  with  more  eager- 
ness devouring  in  you,  than  ever  in  those  from  whom 
you  then  fled,  as  both  your  works  and  words  manifest; 
such  outraging,  false  and  bitter  words  in  your  letters, 
as  the  gates  of  hell  cannot  exceed:  and  you  tell  ot 
the  actings  of  Munster  being  remembered  by  you ;  but 
sure  it  is  for  imitation,  for  your  cruelty  to  those  few 
who  have  come  amongst  you  have  not  come  short 
thereof,  and  yet  you  are  not  satisfied  with  blood,  and 
when  in  rage  you  do  this,  are  not  ashamed  to  say  that 
they  who  bear  all  your  wrath  are  they  that  make  the 
magistrate  a  man  of  blood,  and  contemptible:  and 
thus  every  way  you  load  the  oppressed  u'ith  your  evil 
deeds,  and  evil  words,  who  must  bear  all  from  you  to 
hasten  a  testimony  against  you.    But  O  men  consider, 
you  are  fallen  upon  a  poor  helpless  despised  people, 
who  have  few  among  men  to  plead  their  cause,  but 
every  where  hated  of  men:  yet  in  time  you  will  find, 
that  you  are  stumbled  on  the  rejected  stone;  take 


(  715  ) 


lieed  least  he  fall  upon  jon  who  must  first  finish  his 
testimony,  and  you  fill  up  your  measure,  that  he  may 
be  clear  of  your  blood;  wherefore  deal  not  proudly, 
for  verily,  yet  a  little  while  and  judgment  must  arise 
to  the  meek,  and  power  to  the  weak,  and  wisdom  to 
fools,  (as  to  the  wisdom  of  the  world)  to  comprehend 
•with  all  saints,  what  is  the  breadth  and  length,  and 
depth  and  heighth,  &c.  and  to  search  out  the  hidden 
things  of  Esau;  and  the  days  are  coming  upon  all 
flesh  which  you  will  not  believe,  who  are  settled  in 
your  own  wills  and  self-confidence. 

Wlierefore,  men,  be  sober,  and  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  God  of  power  take  heed  what  you  act  in  his 
name;  for  he  is  zealous  for  it;  and  pretend  not  his 
spirit  to  shed  innocent  blood  with,  for  it  is  holy  and 
pure,  and  the  virtue  and  power  of  it  stands  not  in  car- 
nal weapons,  nor  is  it  known  in  hard  and  cruel  hearts  ; 
there  his  honor  comes  not,  but  where  the  heart  is 
broken  into  tenderness,  and  the  will  of  man  sifted  out. 
and  seen  to  be  vanity,  there  he  dwells  and  makes  his 
power'  known,  and  the  weapons  of  such  are  mighty 
through  him,  but  not  to  shed  blood,  but  to  judge  and 
discern  of  spirits  and  powers  of  the  darkness  of  this 
world,  and  to  cut  down  that  which  is  exalted  in  the 
dark  hearts  of  proud  men,  and  to  open  the  eyes  of 
the  blind  therewith.  And  now  how  weak  is  your 
shield  become  already  in  his  sight?  And  how  narrow 
is  your  covers  you  have  sent  over  to  England,  to  hide 
your  shameful  thing  you  have  in  hand. 

You  say,  the  juncture  is  great  betwixt  those  you  call 
hereticks  and  the  Jesuits;  when  it's  open  to  the  view 
of  men,  that  their  head  at  Rome,  and  your  head  is  all 
in  one  counsel,  and  in  one  spirit  against  them;  how- 
ever, like  Herod  and  Pilate,  your  horns  may  seen  to 
divide  amongst  yourselves;  do  not  they  there  toss 
them,  and  torment  them  without  cause  [as  you  do] 
from  prisons  to  inquisitions,  and  so  to  Bedlam?  And 
though  they  know  not  what  to  judge  of  them,  yet 
they  will  have  their  blood:  and  will  not  sober-minded 
men  soon  jud^e  betwixt  whom  the  juncture  is  in  thi« 
case,  and  your  cover  will  shame  you. 


(  716  ) 


You  say,  one  of  them  pressed  much  for  a  conferencfi 
with  one  of  your  teachers,  but  say  you,  the  Quaker 
was  quickly  weary.  And  presently  you  say,  that  un- 
less your  court  do  make  a  law,  to  banish  them,  and 
not  to  return  upon  pain  of  death,  you  cannot  be  rid  of 
them.  What  a  pk  of  darkness  is  this  you  are  fallen 
into  [may  wise  men  judge?]  Can  one  of  your  teach- 
ers so  quickly  weary  out  one,  and  might  not  then  all 
your  teachers  rid  you  of  six  [for  that  is  all  the  number 
you  tell  on  from  England]  in  a  more  noble  way,  and 
more  suitable  to  the  authority  of  the  spirit,  and  power 
of  Christ  Jesus,  than  to  cut  their  ears,  and  banish  and 
kill  them?  How  shameful  is  your  glorying  here? 
Or  how  doth  this  covering  hang  together,  to  be  believ- 
ed for  a  truth  with  men  of  understanding? 

In  your  letters  you  would  have  people  to  believe, 
that  the  spirit  in  those  you  thus  torture  is  but  the  spi- 
rit of  the  devil,  and  much  weaker  than  that  spirit  in 
you;  for  you  are  the  people  of  God,  and  that  is  the 
spirit  of  God  which  rules  in  you,  &c.  And  yet  a 
fenceless  fear  possess  you,  that  unless  a  carnSil  law 
be  made  to  kill  the  body,  you  cannot  overcome  the 
spirit. 

And  this  way  you  mistake  for  victory,  notwithstand- 
ing their  commission  be  from  him  whose  spirit  you 
pretend  rules  in  you.  What  stuff  is  all  this,  when 
judgment  comes  to  pass  upon  windy  words?  What  a 
boast  of  the  people  of  God,  having  the  spirit  of  God 
in  you,  and  the  strength  and  greatness  of  that  spirit 
in  you,  and  the  ruling  of  that  spirit  in  you ;  and  yet  no 
power  to  overcome  and  vanquish  your  adversary,  but 
what  you  have  from  the  murderer?  May  not  the  least 
child  of  true  light  see  your  shame  through  all  this 
glorying,  and  that  you  are  men  yet  under  the  power  of 
the  spirit  of  this  world,  and  never  yet  came  to  know 
a  victory  over  that  spirit  in  yourselves?  and  how  are 
you  like  to  judge  the  spirit  of  the  devil  in  another,  but 
like  all  the  bloody  spirited  persecuting  men,  call  evil 
good, and  good  evil, darkness  light,and  light  darkness? 
And  it  can  be  no  other  while  the  murderer  is  exalted, 


(   717  ) 


for  tliere  the  devil  is  his  God  and  father,  who  cloth  his 
works  by  lying  and  murdering,  &c.  And  you  that 
are  there,  are  seen  to  be  out  of  the  power  of  Christ 
Jesus,  which  binds  the  strong  man,  and  are  in  that  na- 
ture  which  is  fierce,  and  cruel  and  devouring;  which 
nature  issues  out  of  the  evil  treasure,  corrupt  and  per- 
verse words,  calling  rogues,  and  emissaries  of  satan, 
and  diabolical,  and  such  like  reproachful  language, 
ill  becoming  the  mouth  of  any  christian,  and  with  all 
that  know  the  fruits  of  the  spirit,  this  is  favoured  to 
come  from  a  root  of  pride  and  disdam;  and  as  it's 
from  a  bad  father,  so  it  begets  the  like  in  such  as  are 
under  you,  and  have  aot  power  to  judge  it  in  you. — 
And,  friends,  you  have  a  great  fight  to  go  through  in 
yourselves,  to  overcome  all  this,  and  the  father  of  it; 
which  you  must  do  e're  you  glory  in  a  spiritual  victory 
in  yourselves  or  others. 

Also  your  unlimited  boundless  slanders,  that  all 
may  judge  that  hear  them,  that  they  cannot  be  true, 
show  that  you  have  not  power  to  bridle  your  tongues 
to  moderation,  which  is  set  on  fire  of  Hell ;  as  to  say, 
they  cause  all  discontents,  all  bold  speech  against  the 
present  government,  encourage  all  combinations,  all 
insurrections,  all  their  religion  to  speak  and  write  re- 
bellion, and  they  have  all  plots,  frc.  As  though 
they  had  all  of  these  things,  when  in  truth  you  can 
prove  none  of  all  these  things. 

O  men,  without  shame  or  measure,  what  words  are 
these  you  utter!  How  deep  is  truth  buried  in  you,  that 
you  should  not  hear  its  voice,  to  stop  your  mouths, 
and  stifle  this  shameful  thing  e're  it  came  out!  You 
say,  was  there  ever  state  so  void  of  reason  to  suffer 
such  things  ?  Which  things  they  suffer  not,  as  that  of 
God  in  them  can  witness;  and  they  are  void  of  reason 
indeed,  if  they  go  from  that  which  in  themselves  they 
know  to  be  true,  to  believe  what  envy  speaks  to  the 
contrary;  and  so  leaving  their  own  light  to  be  led 
blind  to  kill  the  innocent  to  appease  God's  wrath,  as 
you  seem  to  teach  them. 


C  718  ; 


Friends,  this  is  bad  counsel,  and  it's  not  unlike  but 
you  will  find  some  ready  to  take  it,  who  as  yourselves 
are  too  rash  to  mind  either  way  or  leader.  And  all 
your  wrath  must  be  born,  as  it  comes  upon  the  help- 
jess,  simple  and  despised  for  its  time,  who  often  lament 
for  your  souls,  more  than  for  what  you  have  power  to 
inflict  upon  their  bodies,  and  in  heart  could  wish  that 
you  were  so  wise  as  to  take  into  your  bosom  again 
this  shameful  thing:  and  if  you  can  come  to  a  little 
coolness  in  yourselves  aione,  and  sink  down  therein, 
and  more  seriously  inquire  at  the  spirit,  which  in  se- 
cret calls  you  to  do  as  you  would  receive,  if  perad- 
venture  God  may  give  you  a  feeling  within  yourselves 
from  what  root  this  hath  risen,  that  there  you  might 
condemn  it,  e're  it  go  any  further,  and  own  the  day  of 
yoxn  visitation  and  salvation. 

And  this  is  the  worst  they  wish  you,  whom  you  so 
fear,  and  their  lives  seek,  \vho  are  seeking  your  souls 
in  the  sight  of  God. 

J.  N. 


TO  THE  PARLIAMEN-T  OF  THE  COMMONWEALTH  OF  ENGLAM». 

As  I  was  passing  down  the  borough  of  Southwark 
not  many  days  ago,  I  saw  the  greatest  abominations 
acted  that  ever  mine  eyes  beheld,  in  several  places  in 
the  open  streets  men  upon  scaffolds,  by  two,  three,  four 
or  five  on  a  scaffold,  transformed  into  several  shapes, 
lifted  wickedness  up  on  high,  and  acting  such  abom- 
inable folly  in  words  and  actions,  in  the  sight  of  the 
sun,  as  might  make  any  tender  heart,  fearing  God,  to 
tremble  at  the  sight  of.  And  this  was  in  many  pla- 
nes of  the  streets  openly,  besides  what  was  within  the 


(   719  ) 


liouses,  where  several  trumpets  were  sounding  to  gath- 
er vain  minded  people  thereto:  which  wounded  my 
heart  to  see,  that  ever  such  things  should  be  tolerated 
under  your  government,  for  whom  God  hath  so 
wrought,  that  you  might  reform  these  evils ;  and  though 
I  was  moved  to  declare  against  them  in  the  name  and 
power  of  the  Lord  openly,  yet  am  I  not  clear  thereof, 
till  I  have  laid  it  before  you.  And  this  I  am  to  say 
nnto  you,  that  as  you  look  to  stand  before  God,  so  do 
yon  speedily  and  effectually  remove  these  abomina- 
tions out  of  God's  sight,  throughout  your  government 
and  dominions,  that  his  righteous  soul  be  no  more 
grieved  therewith;  for  he  will  not  give  you  rest, unless 
you  quiet  his  spirit  herein,  by  rooting  out  both  secret 
and  open  appearance  of  all  such  ungodly  sights  of 
vanity  and  folly  out  of  the  land,  with  all  other-ungodly 
sports  and  pageants,  which  if  you  set  yourselves  ta 
do,  with  a  perfect  heart,  God  will  answer  you  therein, 
and  be  for  you,  if  you  will  be  for  his  spirit,  that  it  be 
not  grieved  nor  oppressed  through  your  neglect;  and 
also  thereby  you  w^ill  give  a  sure  testimony  to  all  the 
good  people  of  these  nations,  by  publishing  your  ef- 
fectual law  against  it,  that  your  hearts. are  set  against 
all  open  wickedness,  and  are  resolved  to  drive  it  out 
of  the  land,  root,  and  branch  and  remembrance ;  which 
if  you  do,  all  that  love  the  spirit  of  God  will  love  you, 
and  join  to  you,  and  the  wicked  shall  hear  and  fear 
•the  Lord  and  you:  so  shall  you  be  a  means  to  cleanse 
the  peoples  minds  from  vanity,  that  they  may  receive 
better  things.  And  this  is  to  bear  the  sword  for  God, 
and  work  reformation  in  truth  and  righteousness,  and 
scatter  wickedness;  the  neglect  whereof  causes  the 
nation  to  stagger,  and  wrath  to  increase.  And  with- 
out this  reforming  the  God  of  peace  will  not  dwell 
with  you,  nor  establish  you,  for  his  pure  eye  cannot 
behold  iniquity,  nor  dwell  with  folly. 


From  one  vho  seeks  your  peace  with  God,  and  one  with  another, 

TAMES  NAYLER. 


(  720  ) 


Home  considerations  needful  to  he  taken  into  mind  by  such  as  are  in 
place,  to  ease  the  oppressed,  reform  abuses,  and  set  the  people  in 
their  right  freedom,  so  as  it  may  be  for  the  advantage  of  the  truth, 
as  it  is  in  the  kingdom  and  power  of  Christ  Jesus. 

1.  If  any  be  moved  of  God  to  come  into  your  pla- 
ces of  worships,  to  speak  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  the 
people,  or  to  show  your  teachers  their  error  from  the 
truth  of  Christ's  worship,  and  prove  it  so  before  the 
people,  by  scripture  and  plain  words  of  truth,  do  you 
serve  Christ  Jesus  in  counting  these  offenders,  and  ma- 
king or  executing  laws  against  them  as  disturbers? — 
And  would  not  this  way  you  take  have  withstood  that 
way  by  which  the  ministers  of  Christ  were  sent  out  to 
gather  his  own  out  of  all  false  worships,  and  by  which 
the  churches  were  gathered  by  the  apostles,  whose 
manner  was,  to  dispute  daily  in  their  synagogues, 
schools  and  market  places,  as  you  may  read  in  the 
scriptures.  And  now  you  that  call  this  misbehaviour, 
and  peace-breaking,  and  seek  to  stop  it,  do  not  you 
withstand  the  good  old  way  of  Christ,  by  which  the 
churches  were  gathered  ?  And  though  you  profess  the 
apostles  words,  yet  deny  their  lives  and  practice,  and 
the  way  of  their  ministry;  and  is  not  this  to  fight 
against  the  liberty  of  Christ,  and  testimony  of  scrip- 
ture, and  christian  freedom? 

2.  Is  he  worthy  the  name  of  a  minister  of  ('hrist, 
who  when  any  come  to  him  in  this  way  of  Christ,  hath 
neither  power  nor  patience  in  spirit,  to  abide  the  trial 
of  truth  before  his  hearers ;  but  forthwith  stirs  up  his 
hearers  into  a  tumult  against  that  one  person,  calling 
to  carnal  strength  against  him  [who  only  comes  with 
spiritual  weapons]  shewing  plainly  that  he  hath  not 
the  spirit  and  power  of  Christ  Jesus,  to  resist  gainsay- 
ers,  and  defend  himself  and  his  doctrine  in  the  way  of 
Christ  and  his  ministry,  whose  weapons  are  not  carnal, 
but  mighty  through  God,  to  bring  into  subjection  what- 
ever exalts  against  Christ  Jesus?  And  have  not  such 
magistrates  as  have  made  and  executed  laws  upon 


(   721  ) 


this  account,  withstood  the  breaking  forth  of  light  and 
truth  in  former  ages,  which  manifests  itself  most  clear- 
ly in  open  place,  that  all  may  hear  and  judge  thereof? 
search  the  scriptures  and  other  histories,  and  see  if  this 
hath  not  been  the  way  that  the  light  hath  broken  forth 
from  under  all  sorts  of  false  worships,  though  it  was 
ever  condemned  with  false  worshipers  under  evil  names 
and  reproach,  as  it  is  at  this  day. 

3.  Did  ever  Christ  Jesus  require  it  at  the  hand  of 
any  magistrate  to  interpose  with  his  carnal  weapon 
betwixt  his  ministers,  in  any  thing  about  his  spiritual 
kingdom  ?  Or,  did  ever  any  of  his  ministers  seek  si>ch 
a  thing  from  them?  Is  not  this  to  deny  the  judgment 
and  power  of  Christ  in  themselves,  who  is  the  only 
judge  and  lawgiver  to  all  his  own  servants,  in  whom 
he  is  known;  who  need  not  go  out  for  judgment  or  for 
defence;  and  to  betake  themselves  to  such  a  way  as 
he  hath  not  appointed.  And  is  not  this  a  shame  to 
their  calling,  that  they  who  should  be  your  teachers, 
and  have  power  with  God  for  you,  should  come  to  you 
to  be  regulated  in  spiritual  matters,  or  defended  one 
from  another?  Have  not  these  lost  the  government  of 
Christ  Jesus  in  themselves;  and  his  salvation?  Let 
truth  judge  thereof,  after  the  practice  of  Christ's  min- 
isters recorded  in  scripture. 

4.  Would  you  not  count  that  an  idle  and  bad  hus- 
bandman, who  hath  ground  enough  to  till  freely,  and 
doth  so  manage  it  as  it  will  not  find  him  bread?  would 
you  think  it  your  duty,  to  make  him  a  law  to  take  by 
force  his  neighbours  increase,  who  hath  no  more  ad- 
vantage of  the  earth  than  himself?  If  this  seems  un- 
equal in  carnals,  take  heed  how  you  force  it  in  spirit- 
uals, as  touching  your  ministry;  but  as  they  sow  let 
them  reap,  and  as  his  hope  is  that  thresheth,  so  let  him 
partake  of  his  hope;  and  if  his  gospel  will  not  keep 
him,  it's  time  to  give  over,  his  dead  work  doth  more 
harm  than  good.  Wbat  fruits  is  the  Lord  of  the  har- 
vest like  to  receive,  where  the  whole  increase  will  not 
maintain  him  that  tills  the  ground  ?  Read,  and  deal  by 
Christ  the  Lord  as  you  would  be  dealt  with,  and  deny 

91 


(  722  ) 


^liiii  not  the  liberty  of  ordering  and  keeping  his  own 
servants,  if  you  look  for  freedom  in  him. 

5.  In  truth  and  plainness,  as  you  will  answer  before 
the  Lord  for  what  you  do,  have  you  any  order  from 
Christ  Jesus  in  spirit,  or  from  the  scripture  [were  you 
the  chiefest  of  his  disciples]  to  go  any  further  in  ap- 
pointing Christ  a  ministry,  than  to  pray  to  the  Lord  of 
the  vineyard,  to  send  forth  faithful  and  painful  labour- 
ers into  his  harvest?  And  is  it  any  less  than  taking 
upon  you  the  royal  prerogative  of  Christ  Jesus,  for 
man  to  say,  this  shall  have  hberty  to  preach,  and  the 
other  shall  not;  the  latter  being  more  conformable  to 
Christ  than  the  former?  Take  heed  what  you  do  here- 
in;  and  seeing  you  say  Jesus  is  Lord,  let  it  be  so,  and 
seek  not  to  stop  him  of  his  right,  lest  he  be  angry,  he 
is  able  to  send  out,  and  maintain  his  own  servants,  and 
he  that  comes  to  man  for  want,  shames  his  master. 

6.  Seeing  that  which  is  called  the  gospel  is  become 
so  chargeable  in  this  nation,  in  respect  of  great  sums 
of  money,  &c.,  that  yearly  are  paid  to  uphold  it,  lest  it 
should  fall;  which  charge  is  to  the  undoing  of  whole 
families,  and  loss  of  the  lives  of  some  who  are  impris- 
oned till  death  for  want  of  payment  thereof.  May  not 
the  oppressed  people  therein  look  upon  it  as  a  special 
mercy  from  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  taking  off  this  heavy 
burthen,  by  calling  and  sending  out  his  message- of 
good  tidings,  b}  the  mouths  of  such  as  will  go  freely 
without  hire  or  reward,  as  in  the  beginning,  whom  he 
fits  with  power  to  turn  people  from  their  sins,  which 
those  that  teach  for  hire  have  not.  And  now  let  truth 
judge  in  all  in  whom  it  is,  if  such  as  withstand  his  free 
gift  and  tender,  do  not  deny  the  gospel  as  it  was  in  its 
freedom  in  the  beginning,  and  stand  up  for  that  which 
doth  so  much  burthen  the  nation,  and  hath  brought 
forth  such  bad  fruits.  And  do  not  such  withstand  the 
manifestation  of  the  powder  of  Christ,  in  his  managing 
his  own  work  freely,  and  taking  clear  away  the  ground 
of  that  cruelty,  and  heavy  burthen  from  his  oppressed 
people,  witliout  which  power  the  nation  cannot  be 
eased  of  that  yoke,  nor  set  free. 


(   723  ) 


7.  Can  ever  the  people  of  this  nation  be  made  free 
as  christians  [as  you  have  promised]  so  long  as  they 
are  forced  to  maintain  a  sort  of  teachers  with  their 
estates  and  labours,  which  they  are  persuaded  upon 
good  ground,  both  by  demonstration  of  the  spirit  and 
testimony  of  scripture,  that  they  are  out  of  the  doctrine 
of  Christ,  and  way  of  his  pure  worship,  and  in  the 
steps  of  the  false  prophets  and  false  apostles,  whose 
ways  both  Christ  and  the  scriptures  witness  against, 
and  are  ready  to  make  proof  of  it  before  you,  if  they 
can  be  admitted  upon  equal  terms  face  to  face  with 
them;  which  if  they  be  denied,  are  they  not  denied 
christian  freedom,  and  sought  to  be  kept  in  bondage  to 
that  which  is  against  their  faith  and  conscience,  which 
ought  not  to  be  bound,  but  set  free? 

8.  Have  the  tender  consciences  of  this  nation  that 
liberty  promised  to  them  upon  engagement?  Or,  is  the 
reformation  intended  by  the  honest  hearted  brought 
forth,  whilst  people  are  forced  against  their  faith  to  re- 
pair the  idols  temples,  with  their  crosses,  and  images 
and  false  worships,  paintings  and  picturings,  and  other 
vanities  of  bells,  fonts  and  glasses,  to  pay  clerk-wages 
and  easter  reckonings,  and  tithes  of  eggs,  pigs  and 
geese,  and  all  other  things  never  used  in  the  true 
church  of  Christ  Jesus,  but  brought  in  through  popery, 
and  cannot  be  bowed  to  by  any  who  truly  make  con- 
science to  follow  either  the  power  of  Christ  or  true 
form  of  scripture  in  his  way  of  worship.  And  what 
freedom  hath  the  people  of  God  obtained  by  your  re- 
moving  kings  and  bishops,  who  are  sought  to  be  kept 
in  bondage  to  these  same  things  under  great  suffering? 

9.  Seeing  there  is  no  confidence  to  be  put  in  flesh 
and  blood,  but  as  it  comes  to  be  ruled  and  ordered 
in  all  things,  national  and  religious,  by  the  spirit  of 
truth  in  the  inward  parts,  wherein  the  kingdom  of  God 
is  in  men  on  earth ;  and  seeing  no  other  spirit  can  be» 
get  brotherly  affection  and  everlasting  peace,  and  lead 
and  give  power  rightly  to  reform  what  is  amiss;  then 
ought  not  all,  who  desire  the  peace  and  freedom  of 
the  nation,  to  seek  it  first  from  thence,  by  giving  the 


(  724  ) 


spirit  liberty  to  be  Lord  in  every  conscience?  Or 
can  you  lay  any  foundation  of  freedom  that  will 
stand,  till  the  spirit  of  Christ  be  set  free,  and  owned 
as  head  and  law-giver  in  yourselves  first,  and  then  lay 
no  bonds  upon  it  in  others?  And  thus  all  confessing 
and  bowing  to  the  king  in  his  kingdom,  he  will  not 
have  occasion  to  dash  you  into  pieces;  as  he  hath 
done  so  often,  for  going  about  to  set  bounds  to  his 
authority  in  tender  consciences,  who  will  not  be 
bound. 

And  if  the  nation  be  found  worthy  thus  to  receive 
him  into  your  house,  who  is  king  of  truth  and  peace, 
then  will  he  for  you  cast  out  the  evil  one,  who  is  the 
author  of  all  strife  and  envy,  wars  and  divisions, 
which  are  up  in  the  hearts  and  minds  of  such  wherein 
Christ  rules  not,  who  are  daily  waiting  for  evil  one 
towards  another,  and  want  but  opportunity  to  put  it 
into  action;  which  you  cannot  but  be  sensible  of: 
which  hath  been  and  will  be,  until  the  powers  of  the 
earth  are  willing  that  the  heavens  should  rule;  and 
those  who  pretend  to  rule  for  Christ  be  willing  to  be 
ruled  by  him  in  themselves,  and  suffer  him  to  reign  in 
others. 

And  further,  consider  your  present  work,  who  are 
professing  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  his  kingdom,  but 
where  will  you  have  him  to  reign?  And  who  must 
be  his  subjects,  while  the  earthly  powers  would  not 
suffer  him  to  have  the  ordering  of  such  in  whom  he 
lives,  neither  in  matters  religious  nor  civil,  not  so  much 
as  to  the  hat  on  their  heads,  or  words  of  their  mouths, 
or  manner  of  their  worship?  So  that  the  name  of  a 
king  he  is  allowed,  but  his  place  and  authority  is 
withstood  by  the  spirit  of  the  world,  which  would 
suffer  none  to  conform  to  Christ  Jesus,  but  to  the 
world's  customs,  laying  the  peaalty  of  carnal  com- 
mands upon  such  as  follow  on  to  obey  his  spiriiuai 
movings;  as  in  not  swearing,  and  many  other  things 
which  might  be  instanced. 

10.  Consider  your  promises  to  God  and  the  honest 
people  of  this  nation,  in  the  day  of  your  fears  and 


(  725  ) 

weakness;  was  it  not  then  in  your  hearts,  that  if  ever 
the  Lord  gave  you  power,  you  would  set  free  the  op- 
pressed people,  especially  such  as  made  conscience 
of  their  ways  towards  God,  and  that  cruel,  proud  and 
covetous  men  should  not  be  in  any  place  of  power,  to 
Lord  it  over  any  tender  conscience,  so  that  many  so- 
ber people  believed  you  herein,  that  you  would  not 
have  suffered  a  corrupt  self-ended  man  to  have  borne 
an  office  through  the  nation;  but  such  as  would  have 
acted  freely  for  God  and  his  people  for  conscience 
thereto,  and  not  for  gifts  and  rewards;  and  that  all 
popish  unrighteous  laws  and  false  worships  should 
have  been  utterly  rooted  out;  and  to  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  alone,  and  after  the  scriptures  of  truth, 
you  would  have  come  to  have  laid  the  foundation  of 
all,  as  in  the  beginning  before  the  apostacy,  both  as 
to  law  and  gospel,  which  you  not  doing  when  you  had 
power,  the  simple-hearted,  who  were  drawn  in  by  these 
fair  pretences,  and  had  no  other  ends  in  all  their  act- 
ings and  suffering  with  you,  but  righteous  freedom  to- 
wards God  and  man;  such  begun  to  leave  you, and" 
return  home,  as  men  disappointed  of  their  expecta- 
tion ;  and  were  brought  to  see  what  was  in  men,  and 
their  error  in  looking  at  flesh  and  blood.  Others  cried 
out  to  the  army,  who  then  seemed  much  to  condemn 
you  for  your  neglect:  and  one  of  them  took  upon  him 
the  title  of  protector;  and  you  were  cast  by ;  and  he 
had  power  to  have  done  good,  to  whom  many  cries  of 
oppression  came;  which  awhile  he  answered  with 
good  words,  and  sometimes  with  tears:  but  instead  of 
taking  away  the  ground  thereof,  he  sought  to  make 
his  own  house  strong;  and  for  that  end  were  such 
thrust  out  from  their  places,  as  would  not  betray  their 
conscience  and  trust.  And  such  were  put  in  places 
as  would  become  any  thing  he  would  have  them. 
And  as  he  grew  high,  so  the  cries  of  the  oppressed 
were  shut  out  at  his  doors;  and  then  many  were  sent 
from  the  Lord  to  warn  him  against  oppression,  and  to 
speak  to  him  the  word  that  now  God  hath  fulfilled; 
who  waited  many  days  at  his  gates,  but  were  shut 


(    726  ; 


oOt,  and  often  abused  by  his  evil  servants;  and  when- 
they  could  come  to  speak  to  him,  as  he  went  to  take 
his  pleasure  abroad,  they  were  thrust  from  him  in  his 
sight,  and  he  suffered  it  many  times.  And  when  he 
did  hear  them,  he  would  not  believe;  but  said  how 
shall  I  know  it  is  the  word  of  the  Lord;  though  the 
light  in  his  own  conscience  did  witness  thereto.  And 
thus  he  rejected  the  counsel  of  God  against  himself, 
till  his  day  was  over.  In  which  time  the  innocent 
deeply  suffered,  and  some  of  yourselves  tasted  a  little 
thereof;  and  some  of  you  seemed  sensible  of  your 
neglect,  and  promised,  that  if  you  ever  came  in  power 
again,  what  you  would  then  do;  but  many  could  not 
believe  that  ever  you  should,  so  strong  had  he  made 
himself;  but  an  arm  hath  wrought  which  none  can 
let,  and  you  are  in  place  figain,  who  have  been  ready 
to  renew  your  promises,  to  set  the  people  free,  both  as 
men  and  as  christians;  which  the  Lord  halh  heard, 
and  stirred  up  many  of  his  oppressed  people,  to  lay 
their  oppressions  before  you,  to  try  you:  for  a  short 
'work  will  the  Lord  make,  for  his  name's  sake  and  hi& 
oppressed  seed. 

And  now  take  heed  to  your  spirits,  and  consider 
you  are  called  and  set  before  the  living  God,  and  his 
eye  runs  through  you,  who  is  most  pure  and  just,  and 
will  own  nought  in  you  but  that  which  is  truth  in  your 
inward  parts.  And  as  you  intend  to  approve  your- 
selves in  his  sight,  or  receive  power  to  quit  yourselves 
of  your  engagements  to  him  and  his  people ;  so  to  that 
be  faithful,  for  there  only  will  he  give  you  of  his  coun- 
sel in  secret,  and  in  the  hidden  parts  will  he  teach 
you  his  wisdom;  if  you  will  hearken  thereto;  and  in 
spirit  must  you  receive  his  strength,  and  not  in  flesh 
and  blood :  and  he  that  searcheth  your  hearts,  and  de- 
clares to  man  his  thoughts,  his  name  is  the  Lord  of 
hosts.  And  take  heed  of  making  any  other  thing 
your  arm  or  counsellor ;  so  shall  truth  teach  you.  And 
take  heed  of  corrupt  men,  and  their  subtle  counsel ;. 
you  have  seen  the  end  of  that  which  is. established 
therewith:  and  take  heed  of  shutting  out  the  word  of 


(  727  ) 


♦he  Lord, or  despising  the  counsel  of  his  people;  or 
oppressing,  or  suffering  to  be  oppressed  by  others; 
such  as  are  tender  in  conscience,  for  such  are  nearer 
the  Lord  than  yon  are  aware  of.  And  as  their  hearts 
are  open  to  his  movings,  so  is  his  ear  open  to  their 
cries;  and  in  all  their  afflictions  he  is  afflicted;  for  the 
living  God  is  in  them,  and  it  is  he  that  bears  them  up 
under  oppression,  though  oppressors  cannot  believe  it^ 
and  if  they  be  oppressed  he  is  grieved,  and  will  plead 
with  you. 

And  now  seeing  you  pretend  to  do  the  work  now 
indeed,  and  to  bring  forth  perfect  freedom  for  all  men, 
as  for  yourselves;  and  to  that  end  seem  to  draw  the 
people  of  God  near  you  again,  and  have  called  some 
of  them,  that  they  would  present  their  burthens  and 
oppressions,  which  grieve  the  spirit  of  Christ  in  them; 
and  you  appear  as  though  you  would  accept  of  sound 
counsel  from  such  in  whom  truth  speaks,  and  have 
been  preserved  in  the  nation,  by  suffering  with  it,  this 
time  wherein  so  many  have  betrayed  it;  so  that  God 
hath  not  wholly  left  the  nation.  And  these  you  now 
seem  to  give  ear  to,  who  indeed  know  best  what  op* 
pression  is,  and  the  way  of  God  in  removing  it,  with 
whom  God  hath  been  in  it,  and  is  with  them,  glory  for 
evermore! 

And  now  if  you  will  hear  what  truth  saith  to  you  in 
these  considerations,  concerning  you  and  your  laws, 
you  are  out  of  course,  and  gone  out  of  the  right  way 
of  God's  law  and  his  gospel;  and  those  who  should 
ease  the  people  of  all  heavy  burthens,  are  become 
themselves  a  burthen  too  heavy  to  be  borne,  and  are 
become  devourers,  and  not  relievers  of  the  helpless, 
as  you  will  hear,  if  you  will  indeed  hearken  to  the 
oppressed ;  for  in  the  place  of  judgment  is  wickedness, 
and  in  the  place  of  righteousness  there  is  iniquity,  and 
the  horrible  thing  is  committed  in  the  land,  which  God 
hates ;  the  judges  thereof  judge  for  rewards,  the  priests 
thereof  preach  for  hire,  and  the  people  who  know  not 
God  love  to  have  it  so;  and  through  this  doth  the  just 
suffer  oppression,  and  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  is  grieved. 


ft 


(   728  ; 


But  if  you  will  undo  the  heavy  burthen,  this  is  the 
way,  if  you  can  receive  it. 

As  to  your  laws,  come  to  the  law  of  God,  and  what 
is  written  by  him;  that  observe  for  a  rule  without; 
and  let  the  same  spirit  of  truth  in  you,  and  such  as 
fear  God,  and  hate  rewards  and  gifts,  have  the  execu- 
ting of  it  freely,  for  a  gift  blinds  the  eyes  of  the  wise; 
and  that  which  is  freely  of  God  alone,  hath  his  bless- 
ing and  power  to  cut  down  the  man  of  sin,  and  make 
the  wicked  afraid.  So  may  the  land  be  cleansed  of 
Open  wickedness,  and  sin  made  ashamed  to  appear 
in  your  streets  and  markets,  which  is  now  become 
bold,  and  the  proud  are  counted  happy.  And  this 
God  requires,  to  punish  all  known  sin  by  his  law, 
which  respects  no  man's  person,  neither  oppressing 
the  poor,  nor  sparing  the  proud. 

And  for  the  gospel,  such  as  have  it  are  not  made 
ministers  by  the  will  of  man,  nor  by  the  law  of  a  car- 
nal commandment,  but  by  Chrst  and  his  power,  being 
sent  out  by  him  who  is  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  who 
is  with  and  in  them,  whom  the  world  cannot  receive, 
neither  knoweth.  And  as  many  as^  have  this  treasure 
in  their  earthen  vessels,  have  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
and  are  freeborn  thereof,  and  will  never  trouble  you, 
nor  burthen  the  nation  with  hire,  glebe-lands,  tithes 
and  augmentations,  nor  great  houses  to  dwell  in, 
nor  burthen  themselves  with  such  things;  but  he 
that  is  in  them  will  lead  them,  and  feed  them  as  pil- 
grims and  strangers  upon  earth,  as  his  ministers  ever 
were.  If  you  can  believe  the  scriptures  then  receive 
such,  and  deny  them  who  dare  not  trust  him  as  to  a 
maintenance:  so  shall  his  servants  be  known, the  true 
worshippers  of  Christ  restored  as  in  the  beginning,  and 
the  land  eased  of  its  burthen ;  and  that  will  fall  of  it- 
self, which  hath  been  set  up,  and  holden  up  without 
Christ  and  against  him.  And  this  freedom  the  chil- 
dren of  light  wait  patiently  for;  which  if  you  deny 
them,  it  will  come  another  way.  Reject  not  truth, 
least  you  be  rejected  thereof.  N. 


(  729  ) 


A  WARNING  TO  THE  RULERS,  IN  THE    YEAR,  1659.     WhEREIN  A 
JUST  LIBERTY  OF  CO.VSCIEKCE  IS  PLEADED. 

It  is  not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  nor  the  wisdom  of 
flesh  and  blood,  that  God  will  honour  with  setting  the 
nations  free;  but  the  spirit  of  Christ  Jesus  God  hath 
chosen  and  appointed  to  make  free,  and  whom  the 
son  makes  free  are  free  indeed.    So  if  you  intend  to 
make  good  your  promise  to  the  nations,  then  must 
you  work  with  that  spirit  which  God  will  own,  else 
God  will  not  work  with  you,  nor  own  your  work,  but 
will  overturn  it,  till  he  come  to  be  owned,  whose  right 
it  is.    So  if  you  look  to  do  the  work  of  God,  wait  for 
his  spirit  in  yourselves  first,  to  work  you  into  obedi- 
ence to  his  will  and  fear;  and  have  respect  to  that 
spirit  alone,  which  respects  not  persons,  but  truth  in 
all  persons.    And  if  you  know  the  truth  to  be  Lord  in 
you,  the  truth  shall  set  you  free^  in  yourselves  first, 
free  from  the  spirit  of  bondage,  free  from  the  spirit  of 
this  world,  which  would  be  lord  above  the  spirit  of 
Christ,  and  worshipped  above  Christ,  and  against  his 
commands.    This  must  you  die  to,  that  you  may  live 
unto  Christ,  and  become  his  disciples,  all  taught  of 
him,  and  he  alone  worshipped,  and  your  hearts  cir- 
cumcised, so  as  to  hear  his  voice,  who  calls  to  all  that 
will  own  him,  to  do  to  all  men  as  you  would  be  done 
imto,  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets;  and  this  must 
you  receive  from  the  lawgiver  in  spirit,  if  you  will  act 
for  him,  and  act  out  all  your  old  popish  laws,  which 
have  been  made  out  of  the  truth,  to  uphold  corrupt 
interests;  for  upon  that  foundation  must  you  build  no 
house  for  Christ  Jesus  that  he  will  own  as  his.  And 
come  to  the  scriptures  of  truth,  which  you  have  been 
long  saying,  should  be  your  rule,  and  lay  them  a- 
mongst  you,  instead  of  old  popish  statutes,  and  cor- 
rupt counsels,  and  err  not  from  it,  nor  suffer  not  any 
to  wrest  it  by  subtility,  but  wait  for  the  spirit  of  truth 
to  lead  you  into  the  truth  thereof;  and  there  is  no 
bondage  in  that  law,  nor  in  that  spirit  which  gave  it 
forth;  and  so  the  perfect  law  of  liberty  (if  into  it  you 
look  and  do      vou  will  be  blessed  in  vour  deeds,  and 

92 


(   730  ) 


he  that  will  not  own  mens  laws,  made  by  the  spirit  of 
the  world,  will  own  his  own,  and  his  own  spirit  he 
knows  and  owns,  who  rejects  the  world's  spirit,  and 
its  self  ends  hates,  and  will  blast  and  confound. 

And  if  here  you  would  begin  faithfully,  your  way  to 
peace  would  open  to  you  in  the  spirit  of  truth  and 
judgment,  and  an  easy  thing  would  you  find  it  with 
God,  to  establish  freedom,  and  stop  the  mouths  of  all 
unreasonable  men,  which  no  other  spirit  shall  ever 
have  power  to  do,  but  that  which  leads  you  to  do  as 
you  would  be  done  to. 

So  if  you  will  act  laws  for  Christ,  you  must  begin 
with  the  law  and  the  prophets,  and  with  them  prove 
yourselves,  which  is  Christ's  rule  to  walk  by.  VVould 
you  have  others  to  compel  your  consciences  in  your 
worship,  or  lord  over  your  faith  to  God?  If  not,  then 
do  it  not  to  others;  for  that's  out  of  Christ's  doctrine 
and  scripture  rule,  which  saith,  whatsoever  you  would 
that  others  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  so  unto  them  : 
this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets.  Examine  yourselves, 
and  let  truth  judge  you;  are  you  all  of  one  opinion 
touching  your  worship?  And  would  you  have  your 
faith  bound  to  another's  opinion,  wherein  you  differ, 
contrary  to  your  conscience?  Jf  not  (as  none  that 
serve  God  more  than  man  would)  then  seek  not  to  bind 
another,  here  is  the  law  and  the  prophets,  saith  Christ 
Jesus,  if  you  will  hear  his  voice.    And  if  you  say,  but 
the  greater  number  of  you  are  of  one  opinion ;  is  this  a 
safe  rule  for  you  to  walk  by?   Did  not  the  greater 
number  crucify  Christ, and  cry,  away  with  him?  And 
doth  that  prove  him  infallible  in  judgment, or  give  you 
cause  to  think  so,  seeing  Christ  saith,  they  be  few  that 
find  the  way  of  life?  And  if  you  go  by  the  greater 
number,  and  not  by  the  spirit  of  Christ  alone?  Is  not 
that  to  leave  Christ  Jesus,  and  his  work,  anji  betake 
yourselves  to  the  arm  of  flesh:  let  truth  in  you  all 
jirdge?   The  scripture  saith  not,  follow  the  greater 
number,  but  follow  the  commands  of  Christ ;  who  saith, 
all  things  whatsoever  you  would  that  others  should  do 
unto  you,  do  you  even  so  to  them ;  this  is  the  law  and 
the  prophets.    Now  you  are  like  to  be  tried,  whether 


(   731  J 


you  will  own  Christ's  commands,  or  your  own  intei- 
€sts  and  opinions;  and  if  you  own  Christ  Jesus,  then 
with  his  commands  shall  you  stop  the  mouths  of  un- 
reasonable men,  who  would  have  others  bound  and 
themselves  at  liberty.  When  such  come  to  you  to  get 
a  yoke  for  the  consciences, of  others,  ask  them  if  they 
will  first  take  it  up  themselves,  and  be  bound  to  their 
way  whom  they  seek  to  bind,  which  they  denying, 
shew  themselves  in  the  unreasonable  nature,  v»  hich 
would  not  do  as  they  would  be  done  unto,  these  deny 
the  law  and  the  prophets.  And  if  they  say,  theirs  is 
the  true  way,  and  therefore  they  would  bind  all  to  it; 
I  say,  that  is  yet  to  prove,  and  the  more  to  be  suspec- 
ted, by  their  seeking  a  carnal  law  to  uphold  it  contrary 
to  Christ's  doctrine,  which  the  way  of  the  gospel  needs 
not,  nor  ever  used.  And  it  is  not  safe  to  judge  of 
things  that  differ  by  the  hearing  of  one  party;  but  let 
both  have  equal  liberty  before  you,  and  the  scripture 
and  words  of  Christ  judge;  and  he  that  is  denied  of 
this,  hath  not  his  freedom  as  a  christian.  And  he  that 
would  compel  others  to  maintain  his  teacher,  or  his 
meeting  place,  and  other  outward  things,  which  he 
calls  worship,  see  if  he  will  first  be  compelled  to  do 
the  same  to  them  in  their  way  of  worship.  And  this 
is  the  law  and  the  prophets,  and  equal  and  reasonable 
freedom;  and  this  will  quench  the  fire  of  unreasona- 
ble spirits,  and  stop  their  mouths  who  seek  to  bind 
heavy  burthens  and  lay  on  others,  which  themselves 
w^ill  not  bear;  as  the  opposers  of  Christ's  kingdom 
have  ever  done,  which  comes  to  set  free  from  all  their 
bondage. 

And  when  you  have  herewith  stopped  the  mouths  of 
these  unreasonable  men,  and  shewed  them  their  na- 
ture, and  how  far  they  are  erred  from  Christ's  doc- 
irine,  and  how  far  they  are  short  of  the  law  and  the 
prophets,  then  you  may  he  at  rest  for  them,  and  so 
have  an  open  way  to  christian  liberty  for  all;  and  let 
him  that  will  have  an  hireling  teacher,  hire  him;  and 
he  that  can  receive  a  free  teacher, receive  him  freely; 
and  he  that  will  have  a  clerk,  hire  him;  and  he  that 
will  worship  in  the  steeple-house,  repair  it;  and  this  is 


(  7:52  ) 

reasonable  in  the  sight  of  all  men,  and  freedom  of 
conscience,  and  none  forced,  nor  have  cause  to  com- 
plain of  another. 

And  if  any  say,  this  will  cast  down  all  worship  and 
ordinances,  &;c.  I  say,  not  so,  for  it  casts  down  noth- 
ing that  is  conscientious,  only  it  leaves  every  form  free 
from  persecution,  to  stand  of  itself,  and  nothing  will 
fall  thereby,  but  what  is  out  of  the  power  of  Christ  Je- 
sus, and  is  upholden  by  carnal  laws  and  arm  of  flesh, 
and  not  by  his  spirit,  which  is  the  false  worship  which 
hath  crushed  so  many  before  you  by  seeking  to  uphold 
it,  and  will  break  all  who  take  it  upon  them  to  uphold, 
under  the  name  of  Christ's  worship;  for  his  own  wor- 
ship he  will  have  the  honour  to  uphold,  and  to  the 
powers  of  the  earth  he  hath  not  given  it;  nor  hath  he 
at  any  time  committed  that  charge  to  men,  to  send  out 
iab(>urers  into  his  harvest,  or  to. provide  for  his  servants, 
his  own  house  hath  bread  enough  in  it,  who  is  Lord 
of  all;  all  that  he  lays  upon  the  powers  of  the  earth 
is,  not  to  touch  them,  nor  do  them  harm:  and  he  thafl 
saith  he  is  a  servant  of  Christ,  and  comes  to  the  worldly 
powers  for  relief  shames  his  master,  and  his  house,  and 
Christ  will  not  own  such  servants;  and  he  that  saith 
he  is  sent  out  by  Christ,  and  wants  a  place  to  preach 
in,  and  comes  to  the  world  for  a  place,  is  a  liar,  and  is 
not  sent  out  by  Christ,  but  runs  unsent  for  your  gifts 
and  rewards,  whose  work  is  not  with  God ;  and  who 
saith  he  is  sent  out  by  Christ,  and  then  seeks  to  men 
to  be  approved,  or  else  be  silent,  shews  he  is  not  ap- 
proved of  God,  nor  his  mouth  opened  by  him,  vi^hich 
those  that  have,  none  can  shut,  who  have  the  living 
word.  So  mind  these  things,  and  buj^then  not  your- 
selves with  that  which  is  too  heavy  for  you  to  bear. 
Will  you  tell  of  making  the  nation  free,  and  will  not 
suffer  Christ  to  have  the  freedom  to  send  out  his  own 
messengers,  with  his  free  message,  freely;  and  shall 
they  not  be  suffered  to  declare  his  will,  unless  they 
come  to  you  for  hire  or  approbation,  after  the  will  of 
man?  What  freedom  is  it  you  talk  on,  who  would  bind 
the  word  of  God,  and  limit  the  holy  one?  So  take  heed 
what  you  do  against  the  heir,  and  free-born,  who  is 


i 


(   733  ) 


Hiisen  to  work  a  new  work  in  the  earth,  and  to  undo 
what  the  will  of  man  hath  been  doing  without  him,  and 
to  exalt  the  spirit  of  truth  over  the  head  of  deceit  and 
false  worships. 

Wherefore  men  be  still,  and  fear  the  Lord  God  of 
power,  and  wait  to  see  his  spirit  in  you  moving,  and 
what  he  is  about  to  do,  that  you  may  serve  the  son  in 
fear;  and  think  not  that  you  can  do  any  thing  in  his 
work,  but  as  he  worketh  in  you  of  his  own  will,  and 
not  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  men; 
and  it  is  vain  for  you  to  think  to  build  upon  the  old 
foimdations,  which  are  not  of  God's  laying;  for  with 
the  life  of  truth  are  they  seen  to  be  out  of  course, 
and  not  that  on  which  the  prophets  and  apostles  were 
built,  and  therefore  rejects  the  cornerstone,  the  light, 
and  so  the  light  hath  rejected  them,  and  discovered 
their  foundation,  and  made  them  naked  and  bare  to  all 
that  are  spiritual  men;  and  in  vain  do  you  labour,  as 
those  before  you  have  done,  who  have  thoughts  to 
mend  and  repair  the  old,  your  thoughts  are  not  God's 
thoughts,  who  is  about  to  make  all  new,  by  the  spirit 
of  him  by  whom  the  world  was  made;  in  vain  do 
you  labour  to  piece  the  old  garment,  or  mend  the  old 
bottle,  your  rent  is  still  the  worse,  your  priesthood 
and  national  worships  is  too  far  gone  out  of  God's 
good  old  way  ever  to  be  mended;  they  must  be  let 
alone,  and  to  the  beginning  must  you  come,  and  to  the 
foundation  which  was  laid,  which  is  Christ  Jesus,  as 
in  the  apostles  times,  before  the  apostacy  and  popery, 
and  if  to  that  you  look  with  a  single  eye,  you  will 
see  your  national  worships  wholly  out  of  the  good 
old  way  in  every  particular;  and.  where  nought  is 
right  how  can  that  be  repaired  but  by  making  new,  as 
it  was  in  the  beginning. 

And  for  your  laws,  if  you  will  say  you  will  be 
christians  therein,  then  must  you  not  look  back  to 
what  laws  were  made  by  popish  kings  and  queens, 
and  self-interested  men,  which  have  in  them  respect 
to  any  other  thing  but  the  kingdom  and  righteousness 
of  Christ  Jesus,  in  all  consciences;  and  ail  these  you 
must  cast  by,  and  to  the  pure  law  of  God  must  you 


(   734  ) 


look,  which  respects  no  man's  person,  but  is  spiritual 
ly  just  and  holy,  which  answers  to  that  of  God  in 
every  conscience,  and  that  must  you  set  over  all,  your- 
selves and  others,  that  every  one  may  be  subject 
thereto  for  conscience  sake:  then  is  your  power  ot 
God,  and  he  that  resists  receives  damnation  in  his  own 
conscience:  but  by  resisting  and  unjust  law  men  have 
not  damnation,  for  this  were  to  conclude  under  dam- 
nation the  whole  army  of  martyrs,  who  in  all  ages 
have  fought  the  lamb's  battle  against  the  beast  and 
his  mark;  and  this  were  to  condemn  yourselves  in 
your  present  work. 

And  this  consider,  it  is  not  merely  the  name  of  a  king,  nor  of 
a  bishop,  by  which  the  innocent  people  of  God  have  sutfered ; 
but  by  that  lordly  oppressing,  cruel  spirit,  and  corrupt  ordinan- 
ces, laid  upoa  pure  consciences;  and  this  is  evidently  seen  of 
late,  that  in  six  or  seven  years  last  past  hath  been  more  inno- 
cent sufferings,  and  open  oppressions,  than  in  many  years  be- 
fore: this  is  known  to  be  true,  though  you  being  now  got  up 
above  the  feeling,  have  not  an  ear  to  hear  the  cry  thereof;  yet 
if  one  had  told  some  of  you  of  it,  a  very  little  while  ago,  when 
you  were  either  in  sufferings  yourselves,  or  fear  of  it,  then  it 
would  have  been  better  received  by  you;  so  soon  doth  man's 
heart  deceive  him,  whose  only  guide  is  not  the  exercise  of  a 
tender  conscience  in  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  towards  God  and 
man:  wherefore,  if  you  will  do  aught  against  oppression,  then 
in  truth  and  faithfulness  condemn  the  spirit  and  power  of  op- 
pression, and  nature  of  it,  and  not  the  name  under  which  it 
works,  least  it  be  worse  in  you  than  in  those  before  you:  for 
hitherto  it  hath  exceeded  and  got  strength  rn  every  one  who 
have  overturned  others,  pretendino:  reformation  and  freedom, 
whose  work  hath  been  to  set  safe  themselves  and  their  inter- 
ests [as  they  thought]  but  let  the  yoke  lie  heavy  on  the  neck  of 
tlie  poor  helpless;  and  your  hearts  are  viewed  already  in  this 
thing,  and  are  not  found  upright  in  the  sight  of  God,  as  the 
light  of  Christ  in  you  shall  witness,  when  he  visits  for  unfaith- 
fulness and  breach  of  promise;  and  God  is  drawing  away  the 
expectations  of  his  people  from  you,  who  feels  you  cooling  ra- 
ther than  quickening  to  that  one  thing  most  needful  and  ac 
ceptable  in  the  sight  of  God,  to  wit,  breaking  the  power  of  the 
oppressor,  and  easing  the  spirit  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  so 
long  suffered  in  his  despised  members,  who  for  his  sake  have 
given  up  their  bodies  and  estates,  and  have  been  laid  as  the 
streets  for  the  oppressors  to  go  over,  and  have  been  a  prey  to 
the  proud  and  covetous  teachers  and  rulers  of  these  times  last 
past:  and  this  should  have  touched  your  hearte  with  compas- 


(  735  ) 


^ion  towards  them,  and  a  true  zeal  for  God;  and  you  shouMnot 
have  delayed  their  deliverance,  nor  spared  that  cursed  thing 
by  which  the  innocent  have  thus  suffered,  that  so  you  might 
have  cleared  yourselves  of  the  blood  that  hath  been  shed,  and 
lives  lost  in  prisons,  and  the  havoc  that  hath  been  made  of  es- 
tates, and  ruin  of  whole  families;  and  this  will  lie  on  you  till 
you  purge  the  nation  thereof,  for  God  is  just,  and  the  blood  of 
his  saints  is  precious  to  him,  though  little  esteemed  with  men: 
and  this  cruelty  you  should  have  put  a  stop  with  your  whole 
heart,  and  not  in  the  least  seemed  to  uphold  that  spirit  by 
which  it  is  and  hath  been  done,  neither  in  teachers  nor  people; 
so  would  you  have  manifested  to  all  men,  in  the  sight  of  God, 
your  innocency  as  to  what  hath  been  done  against  the  just  in 
this  evil  time,  and  so  the  spirit  of  Christ  Jesus  in  his  prisoners 
would  have  been  eased,  and  would  have  lifted  up  their  souls  to 
God  in  praises,  and  in  prayer  for  you;  whose  prayers  God  hath 
respect  to,  who  have  been  faithful  to  his  interest  and  kingdom 
this  day,  which  all  self-ended  men  and  teachers  have  betrayed, 
by  turning  with  times  and  powers  after  the  commandments  of 
men,  and  not  after  the  Lord  Jesus;  and  these  are  seen  by  the 
children  of  light,  to  be  flocking  and  creeping  to  you  now,  as 
they  have  done  at  every  change,  to  cover  them,  and  strengthen 
their  hands,  and  remove  their  fears  which  guilt  hath  brought  up- 
on them,  and  to  justify  them  in  their  evil  and  deceitful  dealing 
against  the  hfe  of  truth  and  faith;  which  you  doing,  you  con- 
demn thejust  and  clear  the  guilty,  and  this  will  quench  the  spir- 
it of  justice  in  you,  and  bring  a  load  and  darkness  over  it,  and 
the  Lord  will  not  be  with  you,  nor  give  you  power  to  do  what 
you  have  promised  in  his  sight,  which  was  in  the  hearts  of  some 
of  you  to  do,  when  you  came  in  place;  for  if  you  keep  not  out 
the  accursed  thing  from  you,  God  will  not  be  with  you,  but 
against  you.    And  this  those  know,  who  know  the  living  God. 

Therefore  in  the  dread  of  the  Lord  God,  take  heed  to  your 
spirits, and  act  not  after  the  wisdom  and  will  of  man;  for  you 
are  not  to  act  for  man,  but  for  God.  And  this  you  cannot  do, 
but  as  you  receive  the  spirit  of  truth  from  above,  judgment  and 
mercy  to  teach  and  establish  on  the  earth,  without  respect  to 
any  changeable  thing. 

And  take  heed  how  you  respect  persons,  or  feigned  words 
and  false  pretences;  but  keep  true  judgment,  as  God  is  just; 
and  mercy,  as  he  is  merciful.  And  this  is  after  God's  own 
f  heart,  and  for  God,  and  answers  that  of  God  in  all  consciences, 
and  gives  the  kingdom  and  glory  to  thejust  and  merciful;  then 
Christ  reigns,  and  the  righteous  rejoice,  and  the  mouth  of  ini- 
quity is  stopped,  and  fear  will  fall  on  the  hypocrite,  and  good 
pieafearing  God  will  draw  towards  you,  not  to  beg  of  you  for 


(    736  ) 


their  self-interests,  nor  load  you  with  their  wickedness,  but  to 
add  to  you  of  the  strength  and  power  of  the  Lord  God,  who 
dwells  with  such  as  fear  him. 

And  this  is  the  kingdom  of  God  with  men,  which  if  you  will 
not  seek  to  set  up  first  in  yourselves,  and  then  in  every  one  that 
comes  before  you  for  judgment,  then  are  you  not  for  God,  but 
for  yourselves;  and  God  will  divide  you,  and  overturn  you,  till 
he  find  such  to  choose  as  are  willing  that  he  alone  should  reign, 
by  the  power  of  truth,  in  their  inward  parts. 

And  take  heed  of  puttirrg  away  the  weak  with  fair  words, 
when  they  cry  for  relief  against  such  as  are  too  strong  for  them, 
and  bearing  with  great  ones  like  yourselves;  and  so  the  grieved 
in  spirit  depart  trom  you  without  help,  and  so  cry  to  the  Lord 
against  you,  who  will  hear  them,  and  mark  your  doings  against 
the  day.  This  was  his  way  who  had  once  power  to  have  done 
good  to  the  oppressed,  before  you,  and  might  have  set  the  peo- 
ple free,  as  he  often  had  promised,  as  you  have  done ;  and  now 
its  your  time  io  perform,  slip  it  not,  least  deceit  harden  you,  a= 
it  must  needs  do  if  truth  alone  take  not  place:  and  seek  not 
your  honour  from  men,  nor  strength  from  flesh;  but  hold  fast 
truth,  judgment  and  mercy,  that  the  Lord  may  strengthen  and 
honour  you:  but  if  you  forsake  these  sin  lies  at  the  door,  which 
when  it's  finished  brings  death  and  shame,  as  your  eyes  have 
seen.    O  that  you  had  hearts  to  understand. 

Remember  how  it  was  with  Oliver  Cromwell,  after  he  had  ta- 
ken upon  him  the  work  of  setting  the  nations  free,  but  did  it  not: 
but  instead  thereof,  sought  all  ways  to  establish  himself,  and  his 
house,  out  of  all  fear  of  being  removed,  or  shaken;  and  to  this 
end  gathered  to  him  the  arm  of  flesh,  and  the  strong,  and  cast 
out  the  weak  and  poor.  And  how  often  hath  God  sent  his  ser- 
vants to  warn  him,  and  call  him  to  repentance,  who  at  first  he 
put  off  with  good  words,  but  little  else ;  but  the  Lord,  not  willing 
to  give  him  up, sent  them  still;  which  after,  when  the  message- 
came  near,  and  wounded  his  conscience  with  guilt,  then  he  shut 
them  out  with  guards,  and  they  were  pushed  away  from  his 
doors  and  gates,  and  evil  intreated,  and  imprisoned,  and  worse 
intended,  till  there  was  no  remedy;  and  you  have  seen  what 
God  hath  done  in  the  end. 

And  now  take  you  heed  of  dealing  so  towaids  God  and  his 
people:  but  take  heed  to  your  spirits,  for  the  heart  of  man  is  de- 
ceitful when  he  is  exalted.  So  mind  the  spirit  of  meekness  and 
truth,  to  guide  you,  and  do  the  work  you  have  engaged  to  do 
without  delay,  with  your  whole  heart.  And  if  any  be  moved  to 
come  to  you  from  the  Lord,  take  heed  of  shutting  it  out,  or 
slihting  it,  as  hath  been  done,  least  you  reject  the  living  coun- 
sel of  God,  and  he  cease  from  you:  and  you  will  soon  be  tried 
herein,  for  a  short  work  is  God  making  in  the  earth,  that  he  may 
exalt  the  son  of  truth  and  righteousness.  He  leaves  men  with- 
out excuse.  J.  N. 


TABIiE 

OF  THE 

BOORS,  EPISTLES  AND  PAPERS 

CO]VTAINED  IN  THIS  VOLUiyiE 


IN  THE  INTRODUCTION. 

Page 

An  epistle  to  the  serious  reader,  containing  an  impartial 
account  of  the  most  remarkable  transactions  relating  to 

J.  N's  life.       -       -   3 

Two  short  papers  of  confession,  &:c.       -       -       -       -  19 

A  letter  from  William  Dewsberry   20 

To  all  the  dearly  beloved  people  of  God.       -       -       -  21 

To  all  the  people  of  the  Lord,  every  where.       -       -  24 

A  testimony  to  Christ  Jesus,  delivered  to  the  parliament.  28 

His  confessions  and  answers  to  some  particulars.       -  28 

To  the  Hfe  of  God  in  all.   31 

Another  paper  of  confession.       -----  40 

IN  THE  BOOK. 

Divers  particulars  of  the  persecutions  of  James  Nayler  by 
the  priests  of  Westmoreland.       _       -       .       .  47 

The  examination  of  J.  N.  upon  an  indictment  of  blasphe- 
my at  the  sessioiis  at  Appleby.       -       -       .       .  56 

A  letter  of  J.  N's  to  some  friends  in  Yorkshire,  giving  an 
account  of  the  proceedings  at  Lancaster  sessions  against 
him  and  G.  F.  61 

Truth  cleared  from  scandals:  being  J.  N's  answer  and  dec- 
laration, touching  some  things  charged  upon  him,  &c.  64 

An  espistle  to  several  friends  about  Wakefield.       -       -  69 

To  all  dear  friends  in  Holderness,  &c.       -       -       -       -  73 

The  power  and  ^^P^  the  Lord  shining  out  of  the  north, 
or  the  t^^Jjc  fp^f.  i^^^  dawning;  wherein  the  true  light 
is  holden  fc^j^llj^  /ill  who  desire  to  walk  in  the  day* 
With  a  warning  To  the  people  of  England,  &lc,       -  77 

The  way  how  aJLflesh  may  come  to  know  the  Lord  and 

fear  him,  &c.   -  93 

93 


738 


A  TABLE  or  BOOKS, 


A  word  to  the  seed  of  the  serpent,  &:c.       -       -       -  07 
A  discovery  of  the  wisdom  which  is  from  beneath,  and  the 
wisdom  which  is  from  above,  &c.       ....    iq  i 

I.  The  wisdom  from  beneath,  which  leadeth  into  bondage, 
andthe  wisdom  from  above,  which  leadeth  up  into  per- 
fect liberty,  &c.       -       -  -       -       -  104 

II.  All  labouring  and  striving^  by  forms,  customs  and  tradi- 
tions, come  short  of  the  worship  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 
The  two  ways  which  men  walk  in,  viz.  the  spiritual  and 

the  carnal,  &c.       -  -  107 

III.  How  the  subtilit}^  of  the  serpent  works.       -       -  11a 

IV.  A  caution  to  all  who  shall  be  found  persecutors,  perse- 
cuting the  righteous,  fcc  121 

V.  A  rail  to  the  world  to  repentance,  &:c.       -       -  126 

VI.  The  cursed  condition  of  conceited  ones.  -  -  130 
A  lamentation  (by  one  of  England's  prophets)  the  ruins  of 

this  oppressed  nation.       -       -       -       -       -  -134 

A  few  words  occasioned  by  a  paper  lately  printed,  styled,  a 

discourse  concerning  the  Quakers,  &c.  -  -  -  142 
A  call  to  magistrates,  ministers,  lawyers  and  people  to 

repentance.  162 
The  stumbling  blocks  removed,  &c.  -  -  -  173 
Churches  gathered  against  Christ  and  his  kingdom,  or  a 

petition  answered,  &c.  -----  176 
The  petition  to  the  supreme  authority.  -  -  -  176 
The  answer  to  the  foregoing  petition.  -  -  -  180 
A  word  lo  those  to  whom  the  former  petition  is  preferred.  191 
The  condition  and  portion  of  the  people  of  England,  &:c.  193 
A  word  from  the  Lord  to  all  the  faithless  generation  of  the 

world,  &c.  197 

To  all  the  world's  professors  and  people.  -  -  -  199 
A  brief  manifestation  of  the  ground  upon  which  we  stand.  202 
Concerning  the  repair  of  idols  temples.  -  -  -  203 
Conc  erning  clerks  wages.       -       -       -       .       _  205 

To  Ohver  Cromwell.  206 

A  word  to  you  magistrates,  &c.  -  -  -  -  210 
Tlie  royallaw  and  covenant  of  God,  &c.  -  -  -  212 
To  all  vain  janglers,  imitators,  fcc.  -  -  .  -  214 
The  old  serpent's  voice;  or  antichrist  discovered, opposing 

Christ  in  his  kingdom.  218 

A  salutation  to  the  seed  of  God,  and  a  call  out  of  Babylon 

and  Egypt,  &c.  228 
Love  (o  the  lost,  and  a  hand  held  forth     ^»  ''^lelpless,  to 

lead  out  of  the  dark.  ^cc.  -  -  ^  i*eject  t.  .  266 
Coj  cerriiiig  the  fall  of  mai  ,  p.  268.    CofjJp"  ^0  light  and  life, 

272.    Conrerriii.g  righl.'  ousr;e!;s,  275.   Cori6*erning  the  word, 

278.    Concerning  worship,  282.    Concerning  error,  heresy. 


EPISTLES   AND  PAPERS.  '4  o'd 

<Sic.  23G.    Concerning  faith,  288.    Concerning  hope,  291.  

Concernins:  love,  294.    Concerning  judgment,  297.  Con- 
cerning perfection,  299.    Concerning  government  and  ma- 
gistracy, 304.     Concerning  obedience,  308.  Concerning 
good  works,  311.  Concerning  election  and  reprobation, 3 14. 
Concerning  the  new  birth,  318.    Concerning  the  baptism  of 
Christ,  321.    Concerning  the  Lord's  supper,  330.  Con- 
cerning redemption,  335.    Concerning  justificatioi^  sanctifi- 
cation,  &c.  340.    Concerning  the  law,  342.  Concerning 
Christ  Jesus,  347.    Concerning  the  ministry  of  Christ,  351. 
Concerning  fre  e  will,  355.  Concerning  the  resurrection,  o57. 
How  sin  is  strengthened,  and  how  it  is  overcome.       -  361 
The  Lamb's  war  against  the  man  of  sin,  &c.       -       -  374 
The  end  of  his  war.  375 
The  manner  of  his  war.  375 
What  they  are  to  war  against.       -       ...       -  376 
What  their  weapons  are.  377 
The  fruits,  and  colours  he  holds  forth.       -       -       -  378 
What  his  kingdom  is.  378 
A  warning  to  such  whose  hearts  are  prepared  to  receive 

instruction,  Slc  -  392 

To  the  rulers.  396 

A  message  from  the  spirit  of  truth,  unto  the  holy  seed,  &c.  403 
^  What  the  profession  of  the  living  faith  is,  the  fruits  thereof, 
and  wherein  it  hath  been  found  to  differ  from  the  dead 
faith  of  the  world,  &c.       -----       :  419 
Who  they  be  that  are  under  the  law,  an^l  who  they  be  that 
have  made  void  the  law  against  t^mselves,  and  who 
they  be  that  are  under  grace.       .       .       -       .  444 
Of  the  way  of  life,  from  the  knowledge  that  devours  the 

life.  445 
An  opening  of  light  to  all  sorts  of  rulers  and  people  that 

wait  for  the  kingdom  of  God,  &:c.       ...       -  447 
A  candle  lighted,  to  give  the  sight  of  the  good  old  way  of 

God  at  his  coming,  &c.       -       -       -       -       -  463 
The  living  God  glorified  in  his  temples,  &:c.       -       -  472 

To  the  ranters.       -  480 

V^Decoit  discovered  by  its  fruits.       -       _       .       -  483 
A  door  opened  to  the  imprisoned  seed,  or  captive  souls  in 
the  world,  and  the  way  of  freedom  by  the  spirit  of  truth 
sent  out  into  the  world,  in  love  to  the  sheep  that  have 

lojig  been  lost,  &c.  -  493 

To  all  that  desire  to  be  set  free  from  bondage.        -  502 
The  fruits  of  the  free  born  cleared  fro nrr  legal  performan- 
ces, and  the  children  of  bondage  shewed  the  nature  of 
their  works.  528 
Christ  Jesus  known  to  be  kinjj  in  his  temples.       -       -  539 
Grace  received  and  grace  rejected.       -       -       -       -  543 


740 


A    TABLE  OF  BOOKS,  &C. 


A  few  words  in  answer  to  the  resolves  of  some  who  are 

called,  independent  teachers,  &c.       -       -       -  54 C 

To  the  gathered  churches.  -  -  .  •  .  554 
To  those  who  were  in  authority,  whom  the  Lord  is  now 

judging,  &:c.       .......  571 

A  letter  t©  king  Charles  If.   576 

An  account  from  the  children  of  light.  Sue,       -       -  580 

As  to  those  things  which  some  call  civil.       -       -       -  589 

To  those  things  which  some  call  religious.  -  -  599 
Part  of  his  answer  to  the  hook  called,  the  Fanatic  History, 

(so  far  as  conc(!rns  himself.)   G19 

A  word  of  reproof  to  ^he  ministers  of  the  nation,  whose 

kingdom  is  already  shaken  and  divided  against  itself.  630 

Milk  for  babes  and  meat  for  strong  men  treated  of  &c.    -  639 

An  epistle  to  friends.   665 

His  last  testimony,  and  death.       ...       -  ggg 


HIS  EPISTLES  AND  PAPERS  NEVER  PRINTED,  BEFORE 
THE  YEAR.  1716. 

To  them  of  the  independent  society.       -       -       -  67t* 

To  a  convinced  backslider.       .       .       .  -  674 

HIS   EPISTLES  TO  FRIENDS. 

J.  To  friends  at  Lincoln.       .       -       -       _       -  676 

II.  To  friends  at  London.       -----  677 

III.  To  the  churchc-  Xf  Christ  in  the  north.       -       -  679 

IV.  To  friends  in  the  city  of  York.       -       -       -       -  6:0 

V.  For  friends  to  wait  toknow  bread  in  their  own  houses.  681 

VI.  To  the  called  of  ood,  who  believe  in  the  the  light,  to 
walk  therein.        -       -       -       -       -       -    ^  -  684 

VII.  To  friends  to  be  diligent  in  meetings.       -       -  686 

VIII.  Concerning  leve  and  judgment.       -       -       -  687 

IX.  To  some  that  were  backslidden.       -       -       -       -  691 

X.  For  friends  to  be  tender  and  compassionate.       -       -  695 

XI.  Not  to  strive,  but  overcome  by  sutfering.       -       -  699 

XII.  Exhorting  to  mercy  aad  forgiveness.       -  702 

XIII.  To  some  friends  in  the  northern  parts.  704 

XIV.  Exhorting  to  watchfulness,       -       '  -  705 

XV.  To  watch  aeainst  the  enemies  wiles,  &:c.  -  -  707 
Something  in  answer  to  two  letters  sent  from  New-England.  708 
To  the  parliament  of  the  commonwealth  of  Erigland.  -  718 
Some  considerations  needful  to  be  taken  into  mind  by  such 

as  are  in  place  to  ease  the  oppressed.  Sic,       -       -  720 

A  warning  to  the  rulers,  in  the  year,  1659.       -       -  72P 


DATE  DUE 

r 

ffifl  n  fill 
I'j  1^ 

GAYLORD 

Pnncelon  Theological  Semiiiary-Speer  Library 


1  1012  01008  7270 


